IT has been a fantastic six months for ReFill Shop Bude.

Since opening in April, by bringing their own reusable bags and jars, customers have helped reduce a huge amount of single-use plastic from entering the waste stream — the equivalent of 1,800 bottles of cleaning products, over 550 toothbrushes, 250 disposable razors and with several shampoo and conditioner options, prevented around 1,800 more bottles ending up in landfill. Customers have also bought over 100,000 sheets of toilet paper — that’s enough to stretch from Bude to Bodmin and back, via Launceston!

The shop has also helped to decrease food waste and food packaging, as customers can buy exactly what they need — so far that’s over 100kg of chocolate treats and 550kg of pasta, but also popular are cereals, nuts, rice, pulses and spices.

The shop has been so well supported by Bude that they have even been able to welcome their first paid member of staff, taking on a part-time assistant manager.

Jodie Harper, one of the ReFill Shop volunteer directors, said: “We set up the shop with the dream of being able to provide employment opportunities and to be here already in our first six months is just incredible!”

The shop continues to work with the Bude Food Bank, supporting a £1,000 voucher scheme allowing recipients to come in and purchase what they would like.

What’s next? As well as helping customers enjoy a plastic free Christmas, they are also rolling out an online ordering ‘click and collect service’. Orders will be available to collect on Thursdays, up until 7pm.

Jodie added: “Opening late on a Thursday has been really popular with our customers — they appreciate being able to do their shopping after work and with the town being quieter after 4pm, are more likely to be able to bag a parking spot right outside. With winter drawing in, we’re making it even more convenient to shop plastic free with our collection service.

“Despite taking on a paid employee, we’re still very much volunteer powered. We’d like to say a huge thank you to all our fabulous volunteers and customers for making it all happen. Here’s to the next six months and all the adventures!”