Did you know that the first week of September is Zero Waste Week? The aim is to pledge just one change in your habits to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
To help you find easy and simple ways to change the way you shop and consume I wanted to share with you one of my favourite places in Banbury, which is very much at the heart of our community here in North Oxfordshire. That is, the largest refill shop in the county – Nothing but footprints.
The awesome duo Vi and Dan started the refill shop out on the market but have since moved into Castle Quay shopping centre. Their shop is a treasure trove of sustainable swaps and yummy food. It’s one of my favourite places to go and it’s now my go to when I want to get my boys an allergen friendly sweet treat. That’s right they have gluten free, vegan, dairy free options too!
If you are new to refill shops, Nothing but footprints is a great place to start! The staff are amazing, they are warm, friendly, helpful and a wealth of knowledge. They are there ready to help you and support you on your journey.
To read more about how the shop works, Dan and Vi have laid it out all for you on their about page. You can read in more detail here
What’s in store?
Home Cleaning and Household
Below you can see one of the many refill stations dotted around the shop. Here you can refill your containers (or use ones donated to the shop) with sustainable laundry liquids, toilet cleaners and household cleaners (and so much more!). You can also bulk buy on bicarbonate of soda, citric acid and other amazing natural cleaners. To the right of household cleaners are a variety of sustainable and refillable liquid toiletries – shower gels/shampoo/conditioner/hand soap. Sensitive and fragrance free options are available.
Food Cupboard stock up
Since taking this photo even more has been added including being able to grind your own coffee, make your own peanut butter and I think (i’m hoping it’s still there!) make your own chocolate spread.
Below you can see that there are so many dry food options that you can bulk buy including cereals (gf options available), oats (gf available too), grains, rices, pastas, chocolate (dairy free and vegan options), vegan sweets, dried fruits etc.
They also offer a variety of flours, baking powders, rising agents and thickeners, tinned foods, independently made jams and honeys and vegan honey alternatives.
I really recommend taking a look at their variety of herbs and spices. I don’t know if you’ve spotted, but at least in Sainsbury’s they are no longer filling the jars up to the top and expecting you to fork out £1.10 for a jar of herbs, here you can get the same amount for around 35p!
Drinks
I haven’t got a photo of this for you, but there are a variety of drinks, including loose leaf tea and coffee available to purchase. As well as some fruit juices and dairy alternative milks.
Gifting and everyday
Just on the other side of the till, there is a treasure trove of amazing books for adults and children, fun and eco-friendly socks, bags, recycled silk sari or screen-printed reusable bags, cards by indie illustrators and other great sustainable gifting ideas for all of the family (There’s even more here than I have mentioned!)
I just realised I forgot to mention they also have lots of sustainable, high quality and re-useable options for packaging food and drink. As well as charcoal water filters and other useful travel items.
Body and self care
Right at the back of the store you can find a variety of sustainable options for:
- Hand washing
- Haircare
- Dental
- Beauty
- Shaving
- Body
- Shower
- Bath
- Menstrual
One of my favourite ways to give my boys a treat is to get them a fun bath bomb – which are also available here (Bonus as they don’t come wrapped in plastic!).
My Favourite Purchases
I’ve listed some of my favourite buys from Nothing but footprints include:
- Vegan Sweets
- Dairy Free (Milk) chocolate buttons
- Chilli Crackers – these are so popular they are often sold out!
- Caramelised cinnamon cashews
- Bath Bombs
- Rose and Geranium bar soap
- Safety Razor (Rose Gold)
- Household cleaning essentials: Bicarbonate of soda, citric acid, distilled vinegar
- Wooden Dish Brush (replaceable heads)
- Pot Brush
- Bottle Cleaners
- Nothing but footprints canvas shopping bag
- Wide Brown Parcel (paper) tape
To summarise
I am hoping that I have illustrated just how much there is for you to browse through and how many opportunities there are to make small changes that could have a big impact by reducing your waste production and also helping you to live more sustainably (often saving money in the long run).
I am a passionate supporter of them. They have worked so hard and continue to work really hard to support our community. Pushing for sustainability in business and at home, educating on lots of different and sometimes difficult sustainability topics as well as helping us all create less waste. I’m sure I haven’t covered everything they are working towards – they are a very busy passionate team.
So next time you are passing through, I hope you’ll drop in and marvel at all of the treasures and possibilities! Below I’ve added some more information that may be of use.
Useful to know
Location:
Find Nothing but Footprints in the Castle Quay Shopping Centre Banbury (Closest entrances are from the marketplace and the entrance opposite Natwest).
They also have shops in Bicester and Evenley:
Bicester Green Shop, Sheep Street, Bicester
Visit Forge Coffee & Post Office for a small range of refillable goods in Evenley.
(Free click and collect available)
Banbury Flagship Store Opening times:
Mon 9:30am – 5:30pm
Tues 9:30am – 5:30pm
Wed 9:30am – 5:30pm
Thurs 9:30am – 7:00pm (late shopping)
Fri 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sun 11:00am – 4:00pm
Shop Online
Visit https://refillnotlandfill.tillex.co.uk/ to browse and shop their range of products
Where to find them online
Website
https://www.refillnotlandfill.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/refillnotlandfill
https://www.instagram.com/refill_not_landfill/ or https://www.instagram.com/nothingbutfootprintsbicester/
Please note this blog post has been in no way sponsored. It is an overview of my experience and opinion.