February 7, 2025 • 30 mins
Exciting News! Join me, Hazel Leese-Dixon, as I chat with Rose from Rose's Refills in Alsager, Cheshire. We talk about Rose's journey towards creating a refill business and more generally about the ethical benefits of refilling your household products. Are we witnessing the beginning of a refill revolution in the UK? Tune in to find out more about this eco-friendly movement and how it could change the way we shop!
#RefillRevolution #Sustainability #EcoFriendly #ZeroWaste #CheshireEast
Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrED83eNu64
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:11):
And welcome to theChallenge to Change podcast.
My name is Hazel and this podcastis all about the little changes
we can all make that will have apositive effect upon planet Earth.
If you're new here, welcome.
If you've listened before, welcome back.
(00:32):
The Challenge to Change podcasthas been brought to you on behalf
of Ansa Environmental Services.
To find out more about Ansa,please visit ansa.co.uk.
Let's get into the podcast episode.
Welcome to this episode of thechallenge to change podcast.
(00:54):
I am here with Rose Kingfrom Rose's Refills, which is
based in Alsager in Cheshire.
And we're going to be talkingabout refills, ethical products
and that kind of thing.
A little bit about her business as well.
So tell me then, tellme about Rose's Refills.
How did you get started?
The history, what got you into it?
(01:16):
Well, it really stems from our youngestdaughter, Chloe, because during
lockdown, she was finishing off aMasters in Sustainability at the Centre
for Alternative Technology in Wales.
Obviously, she came back here duringthat time and made us very, very aware,
so the garden became, you know, wewere a bit like, The Good Life really.
(01:38):
We have got raised beds andall those sorts of things.
And, uh, uh, we were doing the recyclingand all those sorts of things, but
it was all the little bits thatshe made us more and more aware of.
Uh, and then, and it justmade me think more about it.
Her and her now fiance then moved toWhitchurch and there is a fabulous
(01:58):
zero waste shop in Whitchurch that theystarted to use straight away and as soon
as I went over there to visit I was justabsolutely in awe of it and thought, you
know, I think this could work in Alsager.
I think we've got the right demographicand, you know, people might like to start
making a little bit of a difference sothe search began for a property, which
(02:21):
took a while because obviously I'm a newsetup, I'm somebody on my own and people
weren't keen, but eventually the peopleat the letting agent, I think the one
lad particularly got sick of the sightof me and finally, where I am now, which
is on Lawton Road next to the florest inAlsager became available, and he didn't
even put it up for let, he just said.
(02:43):
Come on.
Yeah.
Yes.
This is and to spoke to thecompany and let me have it.
So Rose's Refills eventually was, became,you know, real, which was terrifying.
So, uh, I mean, I was teaching, yeah, Iwas teaching before, before that I taught
at the school in Talke Pits for 22 years.
I was the nursery teacher, loved it, butI was I just needed a change, I think,
(03:07):
really, is the top and bottom of it.
And, uh, and so, uh, so there we go.
And so I thought, right,okay, let's go for it.
like I say, it was terrifying.
I'm not going to lie, runningyour own business and doing
all those sort of things.
But, um, my mind was made up and I thoughtI just need to make a difference, I need
to start, people need to be made moreaware, and I think they are aware, but
(03:31):
you know, there's still, there was nowherelocally, there was somewhere in Newcastle,
but sadly she's had to shut, that peoplecould do this easily, so yeah, that's
how, that's how it came about really.
That's amazing, so how long haveyou actually been open for now?
Just over a year.
October was a year.
So, uh, we, we, weopened in October, 2023.
(03:53):
Uh, and so, yeah, we've just beenover and I've got a really good now
base of regular people that, uh,that come along and, uh, and refill.
So, which is, which is great.
But
also come in and say, Oh,how long have you been here?
I didn't know you were here.
And so, uh, Yeah, so it's, you know,it's, I'm still growing, hopefully.
(04:18):
Oh, yeah, well, I'm sure . So,Obviously, you know, you're talking
about making a difference, which,which you absolutely definitely are.
So do you think that people are moreinterested in ethical products now
than they say were five years ago?
Do you feel that that is growing sortof as an industry really, I suppose?
I think it is.
There's more, it's more, the people aremore, it's more accessible, isn't it?
(04:41):
I think really, because, you know,lots of people were doing it online
before they were coming to me.
Lots of people were having refills from,you know, there's different companies,
which they are now, uh, they've stoppedand they're now coming to me with
those bottles that they bought online.
And, uh, although coming to me,I always say to people, it is
(05:04):
a little bit more of a faff.
You know, it's very easyto go to one of the large
supermarkets and do your shopping.
You have to think a littlebit more about coming to me.
If they're ordering it online,they've got to think about it.
And they've also got to sendoff those pouches back again.
So when you're going off tothe post office to send those
pouches back, You know, come tome and, and, and do that as well.
(05:29):
Yeah.
Finding that it's easier.
Those people that were doing that,which is great, are now coming to me
and, uh, and doing it and saying howmuch easier it is because obviously
there's more variety as well there asyou, you know, obviously as you know,
I, you know, do, do live in Alsager,so of course I do use your refill shop.
(05:50):
I'm very keen on helping planetEarth on a personal level and.
through the, you know, throughAnsa Environmental Services.
So, you know, as you say, there's a lot,there's lots of different things that
you can refill, you know, if you're akeen baker, there's options there, you
know, if you're, if you, even if you justsort of thought, well, I might maybe try
the shampoo or whatever, there's so manydifferent things that you could, you know,
(06:13):
if you just wanted to kind of keep it.
narrow you can do that or you couldrefill lots of things as, as I do
as we, you know, we do in our house.
Absolutely yeah, I mean I alwayssay to people that come in if, my,
er, a very early days particularlyI said if everybody in Alsager
and the surrounding area justchanged three things that they did.
that would have a massive, massive impact.
(06:35):
You know, you know yourself, there'sbottles that you're using now and
have been using several times so that.
They're being reused,which is, which is great.
And, and that's, I think,where some people also worry.
They say, well, youknow, what can I refill?
Whatever you like, is what I say,you know, it really doesn't matter.
(06:57):
So obviously I do dryfood as well as liquids.
So some people will say, well,yeah, my pasta jar is a bit
heavy to carry into the village.
Have you still got the bag?
You brought it from the supermarket.
Yes.
I'll bring that and refill that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It doesn't have to be.
difficult.
There are ways around it to, to beable to, to, to make your life easier.
(07:19):
And you've got paperbags as well in store.
So those, that's another option for, forsomething that's dry, of course, depending
on what you, you maybe wouldn't want toput flour in there, but you know, the,
you know, pasta, cereal, nuts, you know,you can use the paper bag if, if you just.
happen to pop by and also then youcan recycle, you know, you can perhaps
(07:41):
transfer it from the container, recycleyour brown paper bag, as long as it's
not, uh, contaminated in any way, ofcourse, that's something that we try
and remind people of, uh, you know, forthe, you know, you, the stuff that goes
in your recycle bin does have to be.
fairly clean.
But it would tend to be if you, youknow, if you've got seeds in a, in a
(08:02):
brown paper bag, it is going to be,it's going to be clean at the end.
To bring those bags back as well,if they haven't got, you know, those
back as well, because, and refillingthose, which is, which is great.
And obviously they can refillthem themselves with whatever,
you know, providing they haven't.
Got any allergies?
That is obviously, you mentioning theallergies and the contamination is a
(08:24):
big factor, so very, very consciousabout that, and all, I don't have scoops
attached to bins and things apart fromthe inside the flour, which they are.
Sort of fastened it, not fastened it, butthe lids are sealed on those ones because
of obviously, uh, nuts, nut allergies.
So every time you've used ascoop, particularly in nuts, I've
(08:47):
got a container on the counterwhere people can put it in there.
And I will, I wash them every time becauseyou have got to be obviously very careful.
Absolutely, yeah.
Should be, that should be reassuringfor people as well that haven't done it
before and perhaps they have allergiesthat, you know, that side of it is
kept safe and is, is accounted for,you know, definitely, definitely.
(09:11):
so do you feel then that people dosave money then by choosing refillables
or is it a bit of a mixed bag?
I think it's a bit of a mixed bag.
So there are certain things that yes,you definitely save money on herbs and
spices and, and, some, well, particularlyif you're baking and if like me, you're
not really a baker and then suddenlyyou're going to be, you can just buy
(09:33):
the amount that you require, what is.
Is that a lot of, parents fromhigh school children are coming in.
'cause if they've got cookery classes,you know, the home economics, and again,
if that fa as a family, they don'tuse those ingredients, they're coming
in and they're able to save havingto buy a full bag of something I had.
(09:54):
It was Christmas, not last year, theyear before actually, a single dad come
in and he told me I could share thisstory with people, and I have done lots,
and he'd got, his lad had just startedat the high school, and he was baking,
and he um, he needed, now what was itnow, I think, oh it was some sort of,
it was soft brown sugar I want to say,something like that, and he came in
and he said have I got any, and I saidyes, he said oh no, icing sugar, Okay.
(10:17):
Right.
And he said, have you got any icy?
I said, yes.
He said, I only need 50 grams.
He said, I would've had to have boughta box full and I wouldn't have used it.
And so he came and justbought his 50 grams.
So in that effect, yes, itis saving, uh, saving money.
So, like I say, herbs and spices do.
If you are a single person and you're justbuying smaller amounts, I'm not sure it
(10:37):
saves money, but it saves wastage, youknow, if you're buying it like my dad.
We'll often buy just like a couple ofnoodles because that's all he needs
because he, you know, he doesn't usethem massively regularly and I know
they don't go off, but you know, it justmeans he's only buying what he requires.
Yeah, absolutely.
(10:58):
I mean, I think, you know, we'rethinking about flour and icing sugar.
I mean, I think flour, I mean,it doesn't go off, I don't think
as such, but it can get damp.
So if you do have too much of it.
So if you know, if like me itsits in your cupboard for quite a
while because you know you don't,you don't use it very often.
I forget what they're callednow, but there's, there is a,
there's a word that they get in.
(11:20):
Yeah, so there's, I've seen them beforein the past actually, they're, yeah.
Yeah, a little like, yeah, a little bugs.
They do have a specific name, don't they?
But I can't remember what they are.
So, uh, so, yeah, so, so it isa mixed bag with the liquids.
I don't think.
The liquids really are necessarily cheap.
(11:41):
I think you could probably go to oneof the, well, a supermarket or even
one of these, you know, saver shopsand get fabric softener, let's say,
for example, uh, you know, a huge grapebottle full for a lot cheaper, but it's.
That's not my objective, obviously.
The objective is tosave the plastic waste.
(12:01):
Now before I was spilling my bottlesup with my, from my shop, I was
using the health food shop aroundthe corner from, from me, which
again is great for certain things.
And I've, And the bottle I've been using,I've got, I've been using since long
before lockdown for my laundry liquid andlots of other, like my cleaning bottle,
(12:22):
spray bottles and things like that.
So you've got a way up, haven't you?
Yes.
what you, you, you want to do really.
If you're, if you're on abudget, I wouldn't advise you
to probably buy the liquids.
And I say that to people, you know, butwhat I do advise also is the beauty of it
is, Hazel, is that if you're changing yourlaundry liquid, you know, when you change
(12:45):
your laundry liquid and you buy someor, and then it doesn't suit you, you're
then stuck with a packet full of it.
Whereas I advise people tojust buy a small amount to try.
And then, you know, if it doesn't,yeah, if it doesn't suit them,
then they're not stuck with it.
and a very big amount.
So, but, uh, but they're, they're, they'reall paraben and sulfate free and plant
(13:08):
based, all of the, the liquids are.
So they're, they're great forthe environment and they go
down into the water system.
They're not in fact affectingthe plants and animals.
That's a really, that'sanother good point.
So, you know, obviously, as you say,you're saving on plastic waste, you know,
you are having that, that positive impacton the planet, but also there is that.
(13:29):
environmental positive impact as well.
So it's another thing to consider, youknow, and I suppose for people it is kind
of weighing up those options as to whatis important to them, you know, but even
if they did just, you know, buy the flourand the icing sugar, maybe some herbs and
spices, there is still, there is stillthat positive impact on planet earth
(13:52):
that you have in, you know, absolutely.
Maybe further down the line, youknow, actually, maybe I will,
maybe I will try the shampoo.
Maybe I will try the conditioner,you know, and then you're,
then you're doing even more.
So you don't necessarily haveto do everything, but I think
that's what is what's happening.
You know, people are just popping inand doing that, you know, there's been
a big, uh, on my social media, there'sa lot being said about the herbs and
(14:13):
spices because they are one of thethings that are such a lot cheaper.
But so lots of timespeople come in to do that.
And then they'll, you know, thenext time they'll come in and
do just maybe one other thing.
And there's, you know, because I'venow got customers who started just
filling a few herbs and spices.
And now they're, because they'verealized, you know, the, the
(14:35):
impact it's having and that, Oh,actually I'm filling this jar again.
And, you know, people geta real buzz out of that.
And so they're, bringing otherthings when they, you know, when,
when they come in to, uh, to try.
This is empty now, you know,I'll, I'm going to fill this up.
And so, yeah, I think people doget a good feeling when they do it.
(14:57):
I think it gives you a good,you know, a good feeling when
to know that you're doing it.
Like I say, you haven't got, you can'tdo everything, but if you just do a bit.
We can't necessarily, yeah, we can't beperfect human beings all of the time,
you know, but it does make a difference.
And in fact, that actually doeslead me to another question.
So, some people might sort of say,well, does it make a difference?
(15:20):
You know, if I do this, you know,how much of an impact is that
going to have on planet Earth?
I know, certainly, I've had thosedialogues with people where they feel,
well, is it going to make a difference?
I'm just one person.
So what would you, whatwould you say to that?
I've thrown this question at you rather.
It's funny, you should say that.
So my daughter gave, becauseI sometimes do go and speak
to people, gave me some facts.
(15:41):
So here's a really interesting fact here.
So it says here on average,we consume about five grams
of microplastic each week.
So that's the weight of a credit card.
Each of us are consuming a weekdue to the plastic pollution
in the ocean or the water.
Oh my goodness.
That's shocking, isn't it?
It is.
It's absolutely shocking, isn't it?
(16:03):
So, so, you know, that alone is shocking.
it is good reason to, you know,to, to, to be, to be doing it.
Remind me of your question the, so itwas the, you know, can one person really
have that much impact upon planet earth?
Yeah, I think, I think they can.
Like I say, if that, if you're usingthat same bottle, even if it's only
(16:27):
laundry liquid, and if you're usingthat again, that's stopping it.
So again, another fact that mydaughter gave me, the world produces
350 million tonnes of plastic peryear, 82 million tonnes is littered
or dumped, and 19 million tonnesis leaked into the environment.
So those figures there provided by Rosefrom Rose's Refills are figures based
(16:52):
on the world rather than Cheshire Eastand as many residents will already
know here in Cheshire East, therecycling rate, for 2021 to 2022 was 56.
3% and in terms of black bin waste,we work hard to divert that waste
(17:14):
away from landfill and send thosekerbside collections for black bin
waste to an energy from waste facility.
Of course, it is important here inCheshire East within the UK and indeed
right across planet earth to do all wecan to really step it up for planet Earth.
(17:37):
Let's hear more fromRose from Rose's Refills.
So, you know, that one bottle, I think,yes, can, can be fairly small, but
it will make a difference, won't it?
It will, and the more people that do it,you know, you know, I'm one person, you're
one person, but there are lots and lotsof one people out there wanting to put it
(18:01):
a better way than that, but collectively,it adds up to more, doesn't it?
It does, it absolutely does.
And I think, you know, the more oneper people we can get, you know, if, if
everybody, And they do, lots of peopleare saying, I've told my friend and I've
told, and you know, people come in andsay, Oh, I've been hearing all about you
and something that my friend told me.
(18:23):
And that's all, if everybody who comesin now just tells one person and that
person comes in, that's, I think we'renot going to save the planet, are we?
You know, Roses Refills isn't going tosave the planet, but we can have, we can
make a, a small contribution towards it.
And, uh, and so, so yeah, I think.
(18:44):
We've got to all think, yes,I can make a difference.
Yeah, I think, I think,I think you're right.
I think, do you think that, you know,we, in the future, do you think we could
see more organisations doing the kindof valuable work that you're doing?
So, you know, you, might there bepart of a supermarket that has a
(19:04):
little bit of a refill section?
Do you think that could be, youknow, the society of the future?
Are we heading that way or?
Well, I'm some of them in the,there are big supermarkets that
have tried it aren't there.
I don't know whether you're aware.
The one down at Woolstanton had the,for food, the gravity bins that I
have, you know, with the food in.
But they've actually, unfortunately, it'sclosed because I think the problem they
(19:26):
were having, I believe, is that tryingto keep it restocked was the issue, you
know, trying to keep it on top of it.
It'd be great, wouldn't it, if wecould go to, and, and some countries,
you know, there are supermarketsabroad that do make it work.
Yeah, I was aware of that, yeah.
But I think, I think that the value,they can only have the, the, the
(19:48):
gravity bins, which are the ones withthe handles because obviously then
people aren't touching the produce.
Because if we have the scoop bins, likeI've got, there's then the issue with,
you know this, it's cross contaminationand the scoops, so they need, yeah.
Yeah.
I think they probably needsomebody manning it all the time.
And maybe that is.
What's happened is the issue peoplehave said they've come to me and said
(20:12):
they've been down there to get, I don'tknow, nuts or what have you, and they've
been empty because there's, you know,there's nobody there to, to fill it up.
And again, it's because it'sa bigger space, isn't it?
And there's more people doing it.
I'm able to stay on top of itbecause it's, you know, there's
only, there's, it's a smallerspace and I can keep my eyes on it.
(20:33):
Absolutely.
And that that's your focus.
Yeah, I can, yeah.
I can kind of see that actually thelogistics of it would be tricky.
Yeah.
I think perhaps we need to, you know,people need to go and observe and see
how they're doing it abroad becauseit then they are making it work.
Mm-hmm.
But so I, what is it thatthey are doing differently and
to be, to be fair, you know.
(20:54):
I don't know whether they do liquidsbut it'd be great, wouldn't it?
You know, like I said, we don't wantto put myself out of business but it'd
be great if people could go to thesupermarket and do it because they'd
be more inclined potentially because itis, you know, if you're just going to
one, having to go to one place to do it.
Yeah, and I suppose probably forpeople, you know, that convenience
(21:14):
thing is could be a barrier.
And I suppose another barriermight be people sometimes like
to do what they've always done.
You know, I think if I'm sort ofthinking about my parents, you
know, they they are perhaps a littleset in their ways, you know, well,
this, this, this is what we do.
This is where we go.
So doing something differentfor some people might just seem.
(21:35):
Just a little bit too, too scary and Ikind of get that, you know, I'm someone
that doesn't always want to kind ofstep out of my comfort zone, but my
experience of using refills is really,really positive, you know, and you do
have to plan a little bit, kind of,you know, you've got to sort of think
ahead a little bit and that kind ofthing, but I will hold my hands up and
(21:57):
say I am not the world's best planner.
But, despite that, it, it works for me.
Works in our household.
Despite the fact that I'm not thebest planner, you know, we, we kind
of Yeah, yeah, you have to findyour way to make it work, don't you?
And, uh, I mean, lots of people havedifferent ways, but what a lot of people
(22:20):
are tending to do is they have what somepeople are calling their Rose's bag.
And so they've got a bag that they keepin the boot of the car or in the utility
or by the front door, whatever space.
And a lot of people do have,particularly with the liquid refills.
One to wash, one to wear, forwant of a better description.
So when there's one empty, they'reputting it in the Rose's bag, and they've
(22:42):
still got the other one on the side.
And then once they've got a few in there,they're then coming to, uh, to refill.
So that's, you know, it is getting into.
Some sort of routine that suits you.
Yeah, I mean, I think that's what I,I'm very impressed by that routine.
I can't say that mine is anywherenear as organized as that.
(23:02):
You know, I have it in my mindand then I can't kind of sort of,
you know, look for the things.
So I don't even have a bag setaside, but that's impressive.
I might feel inspired by that goingforward and try and be, we'll, we'll see.
This probably won't happen.
But yeah, so final questionthen for you, Rose.
(23:24):
So what do you think the futureis then for Rose's refills?
I really hope the future is, uh, you know,that I'm going to be here for a long time.
I want to expand the range.
Uh, I want to expand tomore, well, organic things.
I haven't really, a lot of peoplewho are doing refilling like
to do sort of organic things.
(23:45):
So I'd really like to do that.
I need to expand, into some glutenfree and you know, those sorts of
things to, to make it more accessible.
to, you know, those people whohave got specific, uh, needs.
I've got a fabulous Saturday girl Ellie,but, you know, eventually because I'm
getting, getting on a bit now, I wouldlove to be able to employ somebody
(24:08):
to, you know, maybe so I could have,you know, a day off here and there.
But the very long term plan isthat Chloe, my daughter, who is
the inspiration behind it, is thatI would really like to eventually.
Give it to her so that she can take it on.
So as, and when it's making enough moneyfor me to be able to take a decent wage,
(24:30):
that's, that is the long term plan that,you know, that we have passed it on to
her because she's got so many ideas andso many things that, that she would do.
And also she's young and youknow, she's got that, that sort
of, um, like energy behind her.
And she's, she's absolutely,she's completely into all this.
She's getting married in August and we'rehaving a completely sustainable wedding.
(24:53):
And so, um, which is, which is fabulous.
So yeah, that the long term plan is that,you know, you'll see less of me and you
might see Chloe and you know, so thatwe can expand even more into, uh, you
know, absolutely, uh, you know, makeand make Alsager even more sustainable
is, is the long term plan really.
(25:14):
Get, if we can get, you know, Well,every household doing a little bit
of something that would be great.
And, you know, it's reaching outto those, those other people.
I have been to the WIs in differentplaces and given some talks, and it is.
But, you know, The one age range thatis very, that is the most difficult to
(25:37):
reach is those that are 30s and 40s.
So the younger people, like my daughterswho are in their 20s, really keen.
They're busy, but they're very keenbecause they've been brought up
and they don't know any different.
They actually, the, oh, the 50 pluses.
as well, because again,perhaps they've got more time.
(25:59):
It's those people with families andbusy lives, which are the ones, uh, that
are really hard to be able to, not thatthey don't want to do it, but be able to
engage, get them to engage in it becauseof the time, uh, Time factor is, uh, is
the issue I've got, you know, they allfollow me and they've got lots of, you
know, they really like to do it, but it's,you know, it's the time factor because
(26:23):
they've got busy lives and families.
So that's my, another goal isto be able to try and reach out.
to those people.
And again, it's a, it's a long way off,but some sort of delivery service would
be, you know, absolutely fabulous.
Wow.
Yeah.
I hadn't even contemplated that,but yeah, I can see how that would.
(26:49):
Yeah.
Yeah.
It would help you reach those people.
And I suppose with a lot of kind of,I guess, business models, you know,
they're focusing perhaps on a particulardemographic, but in with something
like this, because it's environmental,because there's like a, a feeling and
a, you know, a, a social change kind ofalmost behind it, you kind of want to
(27:10):
reach everybody, you know, it's not justone demographic, it's, you know, all
kinds of different people and differentage groups, you know, and so forth.
That's it.
Like I say, it's not that they don't wantto do it, it's the fact that they haven't
really got, got the time to, or, well,it's hard to make the time to do it.
And because they can't even really,it's more difficult to do it online.
(27:33):
I couldn't even do, they couldn'teven do me an online order, then
come in because I need to have, youknow, their bottles and, and things.
So it would have to be a, they'dhave to perhaps drop off and then, or
even I'd pick up their Rose's bag andthen take it back to them, you know.
(27:53):
Yeah.
Yeah, that sort of system.
But that, that, so like I say, long term,Chloe's in doing the job and doing it with
lots more enthusiasm and young energy.
And we can reach out to more peopleand make more people aware of, you
know, reducing plastic waste and theimpact that it has on the environment.
(28:18):
Wonderful.
Amazing.
Well, I really hope thatall of that happens.
I feel, I feel it.
Well, I feel it.
Well, I think I'm, you know, itfeels to me that it's growing.
It's always busy when, uh, when I come in.
So that, you know, that'sreally encouraging.
So I really hope that that will happen.
And I just hope globally asCheshire East, but I hope
globally more and more people do.
(28:42):
you know, think more about the planet andjust, just, even, you know, just do a few
more things to make a difference and thencollectively it'll add up to a big change.
So yeah.
Absolutely, yes.
So thank you so much for your time today.
I've really enjoyed talking to you.
I always enjoy talking to you, but youknow, this is the first time that we've
done it and recorded our conversation.
(29:03):
So thank you so, so much.
And yeah.
No, thank you, Hazel.
Thanks for the opportunity.
No problem.
So that was me, Hazel Leese-Dixon,talking to Rose, the proprietor
from Rose's Refills in Alsager.
If you haven't tried refillablesbefore, give one a try today.
(29:25):
Perhaps there is a refill shop.
where you live or maybe just nearby.
Um, why not have a look onlineand find out what the options are.
You really can make a differenceby shopping in this way.
And as you will have found, um,during my conversation with Rose,
there are lots of different thingsthat you can refill and many refill
(29:49):
shops also sell other things like, um,zero waste soap bars, shampoo bars.
And other products as well.
So why not give them a try?
Finally before closing this podcastepisode it is Important to recognize
all of the wonderful recycling thatdoes take place here in Cheshire East So
(30:11):
thank you to the residents of CheshireEast for doing their best to recycle.
Those recycling effortsreally do make a difference.
But of course, here in CheshireEast and right across planet Earth,
there is always a little bit morethat we can do to have a positive
impact on our wonderful planet Earth.
(30:31):
And certainly, refillable productsis one way that you can help to
achieve that positive impact.
Thank you so much for listening tothis podcast episode, and I will
return for another episode really soon.
Bye for now.
And welcome to theChallenge to Change podcast.
My name is Hazel and this podcastis all about the little changes
we can all make that will have apositive effect upon planet Earth.
If you're new here, welcome.
If you've listened before, welcome back.
(00:32):
The Challenge to Change podcasthas been brought to you on behalf
of Ansa Environmental Services.
To find out more about Ansa,please visit ansa.co.uk.
Let's get into the podcast episode.
Welcome to this episode of thechallenge to change podcast.
(00:54):
I am here with Rose Kingfrom Rose's Refills, which is
based in Alsager in Cheshire.
And we're going to be talkingabout refills, ethical products
and that kind of thing.
A little bit about her business as well.
So tell me then, tellme about Rose's Refills.
How did you get started?
The history, what got you into it?
(01:16):
Well, it really stems from our youngestdaughter, Chloe, because during
lockdown, she was finishing off aMasters in Sustainability at the Centre
for Alternative Technology in Wales.
Obviously, she came back here duringthat time and made us very, very aware,
so the garden became, you know, wewere a bit like, The Good Life really.
(01:38):
We have got raised beds andall those sorts of things.
And, uh, uh, we were doing the recyclingand all those sorts of things, but
it was all the little bits thatshe made us more and more aware of.
Uh, and then, and it justmade me think more about it.
Her and her now fiance then moved toWhitchurch and there is a fabulous
(01:58):
zero waste shop in Whitchurch that theystarted to use straight away and as soon
as I went over there to visit I was justabsolutely in awe of it and thought, you
know, I think this could work in Alsager.
I think we've got the right demographicand, you know, people might like to start
making a little bit of a difference sothe search began for a property, which
(02:21):
took a while because obviously I'm a newsetup, I'm somebody on my own and people
weren't keen, but eventually the peopleat the letting agent, I think the one
lad particularly got sick of the sightof me and finally, where I am now, which
is on Lawton Road next to the florest inAlsager became available, and he didn't
even put it up for let, he just said.
(02:43):
Come on.
Yeah.
Yes.
This is and to spoke to thecompany and let me have it.
So Rose's Refills eventually was, became,you know, real, which was terrifying.
So, uh, I mean, I was teaching, yeah, Iwas teaching before, before that I taught
at the school in Talke Pits for 22 years.
I was the nursery teacher, loved it, butI was I just needed a change, I think,
(03:07):
really, is the top and bottom of it.
And, uh, and so, uh, so there we go.
And so I thought, right,okay, let's go for it.
like I say, it was terrifying.
I'm not going to lie, runningyour own business and doing
all those sort of things.
But, um, my mind was made up and I thoughtI just need to make a difference, I need
to start, people need to be made moreaware, and I think they are aware, but
(03:31):
you know, there's still, there was nowherelocally, there was somewhere in Newcastle,
but sadly she's had to shut, that peoplecould do this easily, so yeah, that's
how, that's how it came about really.
That's amazing, so how long haveyou actually been open for now?
Just over a year.
October was a year.
So, uh, we, we, weopened in October, 2023.
(03:53):
Uh, and so, yeah, we've just beenover and I've got a really good now
base of regular people that, uh,that come along and, uh, and refill.
So, which is, which is great.
But
also come in and say, Oh,how long have you been here?
I didn't know you were here.
And so, uh, Yeah, so it's, you know,it's, I'm still growing, hopefully.
(04:18):
Oh, yeah, well, I'm sure . So,Obviously, you know, you're talking
about making a difference, which,which you absolutely definitely are.
So do you think that people are moreinterested in ethical products now
than they say were five years ago?
Do you feel that that is growing sortof as an industry really, I suppose?
I think it is.
There's more, it's more, the people aremore, it's more accessible, isn't it?
(04:41):
I think really, because, you know,lots of people were doing it online
before they were coming to me.
Lots of people were having refills from,you know, there's different companies,
which they are now, uh, they've stoppedand they're now coming to me with
those bottles that they bought online.
And, uh, although coming to me,I always say to people, it is
(05:04):
a little bit more of a faff.
You know, it's very easyto go to one of the large
supermarkets and do your shopping.
You have to think a littlebit more about coming to me.
If they're ordering it online,they've got to think about it.
And they've also got to sendoff those pouches back again.
So when you're going off tothe post office to send those
pouches back, You know, come tome and, and, and do that as well.
(05:29):
Yeah.
Finding that it's easier.
Those people that were doing that,which is great, are now coming to me
and, uh, and doing it and saying howmuch easier it is because obviously
there's more variety as well there asyou, you know, obviously as you know,
I, you know, do, do live in Alsager,so of course I do use your refill shop.
(05:50):
I'm very keen on helping planetEarth on a personal level and.
through the, you know, throughAnsa Environmental Services.
So, you know, as you say, there's a lot,there's lots of different things that
you can refill, you know, if you're akeen baker, there's options there, you
know, if you're, if you, even if you justsort of thought, well, I might maybe try
the shampoo or whatever, there's so manydifferent things that you could, you know,
(06:13):
if you just wanted to kind of keep it.
narrow you can do that or you couldrefill lots of things as, as I do
as we, you know, we do in our house.
Absolutely yeah, I mean I alwayssay to people that come in if, my,
er, a very early days particularlyI said if everybody in Alsager
and the surrounding area justchanged three things that they did.
that would have a massive, massive impact.
(06:35):
You know, you know yourself, there'sbottles that you're using now and
have been using several times so that.
They're being reused,which is, which is great.
And, and that's, I think,where some people also worry.
They say, well, youknow, what can I refill?
Whatever you like, is what I say,you know, it really doesn't matter.
(06:57):
So obviously I do dryfood as well as liquids.
So some people will say, well,yeah, my pasta jar is a bit
heavy to carry into the village.
Have you still got the bag?
You brought it from the supermarket.
Yes.
I'll bring that and refill that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It doesn't have to be.
difficult.
There are ways around it to, to beable to, to, to make your life easier.
(07:19):
And you've got paperbags as well in store.
So those, that's another option for, forsomething that's dry, of course, depending
on what you, you maybe wouldn't want toput flour in there, but you know, the,
you know, pasta, cereal, nuts, you know,you can use the paper bag if, if you just.
happen to pop by and also then youcan recycle, you know, you can perhaps
(07:41):
transfer it from the container, recycleyour brown paper bag, as long as it's
not, uh, contaminated in any way, ofcourse, that's something that we try
and remind people of, uh, you know, forthe, you know, you, the stuff that goes
in your recycle bin does have to be.
fairly clean.
But it would tend to be if you, youknow, if you've got seeds in a, in a
(08:02):
brown paper bag, it is going to be,it's going to be clean at the end.
To bring those bags back as well,if they haven't got, you know, those
back as well, because, and refillingthose, which is, which is great.
And obviously they can refillthem themselves with whatever,
you know, providing they haven't.
Got any allergies?
That is obviously, you mentioning theallergies and the contamination is a
(08:24):
big factor, so very, very consciousabout that, and all, I don't have scoops
attached to bins and things apart fromthe inside the flour, which they are.
Sort of fastened it, not fastened it, butthe lids are sealed on those ones because
of obviously, uh, nuts, nut allergies.
So every time you've used ascoop, particularly in nuts, I've
(08:47):
got a container on the counterwhere people can put it in there.
And I will, I wash them every time becauseyou have got to be obviously very careful.
Absolutely, yeah.
Should be, that should be reassuringfor people as well that haven't done it
before and perhaps they have allergiesthat, you know, that side of it is
kept safe and is, is accounted for,you know, definitely, definitely.
(09:11):
so do you feel then that people dosave money then by choosing refillables
or is it a bit of a mixed bag?
I think it's a bit of a mixed bag.
So there are certain things that yes,you definitely save money on herbs and
spices and, and, some, well, particularlyif you're baking and if like me, you're
not really a baker and then suddenlyyou're going to be, you can just buy
(09:33):
the amount that you require, what is.
Is that a lot of, parents fromhigh school children are coming in.
'cause if they've got cookery classes,you know, the home economics, and again,
if that fa as a family, they don'tuse those ingredients, they're coming
in and they're able to save havingto buy a full bag of something I had.
(09:54):
It was Christmas, not last year, theyear before actually, a single dad come
in and he told me I could share thisstory with people, and I have done lots,
and he'd got, his lad had just startedat the high school, and he was baking,
and he um, he needed, now what was itnow, I think, oh it was some sort of,
it was soft brown sugar I want to say,something like that, and he came in
and he said have I got any, and I saidyes, he said oh no, icing sugar, Okay.
(10:17):
Right.
And he said, have you got any icy?
I said, yes.
He said, I only need 50 grams.
He said, I would've had to have boughta box full and I wouldn't have used it.
And so he came and justbought his 50 grams.
So in that effect, yes, itis saving, uh, saving money.
So, like I say, herbs and spices do.
If you are a single person and you're justbuying smaller amounts, I'm not sure it
(10:37):
saves money, but it saves wastage, youknow, if you're buying it like my dad.
We'll often buy just like a couple ofnoodles because that's all he needs
because he, you know, he doesn't usethem massively regularly and I know
they don't go off, but you know, it justmeans he's only buying what he requires.
Yeah, absolutely.
(10:58):
I mean, I think, you know, we'rethinking about flour and icing sugar.
I mean, I think flour, I mean,it doesn't go off, I don't think
as such, but it can get damp.
So if you do have too much of it.
So if you know, if like me itsits in your cupboard for quite a
while because you know you don't,you don't use it very often.
I forget what they're callednow, but there's, there is a,
there's a word that they get in.
(11:20):
Yeah, so there's, I've seen them beforein the past actually, they're, yeah.
Yeah, a little like, yeah, a little bugs.
They do have a specific name, don't they?
But I can't remember what they are.
So, uh, so, yeah, so, so it isa mixed bag with the liquids.
I don't think.
The liquids really are necessarily cheap.
(11:41):
I think you could probably go to oneof the, well, a supermarket or even
one of these, you know, saver shopsand get fabric softener, let's say,
for example, uh, you know, a huge grapebottle full for a lot cheaper, but it's.
That's not my objective, obviously.
The objective is tosave the plastic waste.
(12:01):
Now before I was spilling my bottlesup with my, from my shop, I was
using the health food shop aroundthe corner from, from me, which
again is great for certain things.
And I've, And the bottle I've been using,I've got, I've been using since long
before lockdown for my laundry liquid andlots of other, like my cleaning bottle,
(12:22):
spray bottles and things like that.
So you've got a way up, haven't you?
Yes.
what you, you, you want to do really.
If you're, if you're on abudget, I wouldn't advise you
to probably buy the liquids.
And I say that to people, you know, butwhat I do advise also is the beauty of it
is, Hazel, is that if you're changing yourlaundry liquid, you know, when you change
(12:45):
your laundry liquid and you buy someor, and then it doesn't suit you, you're
then stuck with a packet full of it.
Whereas I advise people tojust buy a small amount to try.
And then, you know, if it doesn't,yeah, if it doesn't suit them,
then they're not stuck with it.
and a very big amount.
So, but, uh, but they're, they're, they'reall paraben and sulfate free and plant
(13:08):
based, all of the, the liquids are.
So they're, they're great forthe environment and they go
down into the water system.
They're not in fact affectingthe plants and animals.
That's a really, that'sanother good point.
So, you know, obviously, as you say,you're saving on plastic waste, you know,
you are having that, that positive impacton the planet, but also there is that.
(13:29):
environmental positive impact as well.
So it's another thing to consider, youknow, and I suppose for people it is kind
of weighing up those options as to whatis important to them, you know, but even
if they did just, you know, buy the flourand the icing sugar, maybe some herbs and
spices, there is still, there is stillthat positive impact on planet earth
(13:52):
that you have in, you know, absolutely.
Maybe further down the line, youknow, actually, maybe I will,
maybe I will try the shampoo.
Maybe I will try the conditioner,you know, and then you're,
then you're doing even more.
So you don't necessarily haveto do everything, but I think
that's what is what's happening.
You know, people are just popping inand doing that, you know, there's been
a big, uh, on my social media, there'sa lot being said about the herbs and
(14:13):
spices because they are one of thethings that are such a lot cheaper.
But so lots of timespeople come in to do that.
And then they'll, you know, thenext time they'll come in and
do just maybe one other thing.
And there's, you know, because I'venow got customers who started just
filling a few herbs and spices.
And now they're, because they'verealized, you know, the, the
(14:35):
impact it's having and that, Oh,actually I'm filling this jar again.
And, you know, people geta real buzz out of that.
And so they're, bringing otherthings when they, you know, when,
when they come in to, uh, to try.
This is empty now, you know,I'll, I'm going to fill this up.
And so, yeah, I think people doget a good feeling when they do it.
(14:57):
I think it gives you a good,you know, a good feeling when
to know that you're doing it.
Like I say, you haven't got, you can'tdo everything, but if you just do a bit.
We can't necessarily, yeah, we can't beperfect human beings all of the time,
you know, but it does make a difference.
And in fact, that actually doeslead me to another question.
So, some people might sort of say,well, does it make a difference?
(15:20):
You know, if I do this, you know,how much of an impact is that
going to have on planet Earth?
I know, certainly, I've had thosedialogues with people where they feel,
well, is it going to make a difference?
I'm just one person.
So what would you, whatwould you say to that?
I've thrown this question at you rather.
It's funny, you should say that.
So my daughter gave, becauseI sometimes do go and speak
to people, gave me some facts.
(15:41):
So here's a really interesting fact here.
So it says here on average,we consume about five grams
of microplastic each week.
So that's the weight of a credit card.
Each of us are consuming a weekdue to the plastic pollution
in the ocean or the water.
Oh my goodness.
That's shocking, isn't it?
It is.
It's absolutely shocking, isn't it?
(16:03):
So, so, you know, that alone is shocking.
it is good reason to, you know,to, to, to be, to be doing it.
Remind me of your question the, so itwas the, you know, can one person really
have that much impact upon planet earth?
Yeah, I think, I think they can.
Like I say, if that, if you're usingthat same bottle, even if it's only
(16:27):
laundry liquid, and if you're usingthat again, that's stopping it.
So again, another fact that mydaughter gave me, the world produces
350 million tonnes of plastic peryear, 82 million tonnes is littered
or dumped, and 19 million tonnesis leaked into the environment.
So those figures there provided by Rosefrom Rose's Refills are figures based
(16:52):
on the world rather than Cheshire Eastand as many residents will already
know here in Cheshire East, therecycling rate, for 2021 to 2022 was 56.
3% and in terms of black bin waste,we work hard to divert that waste
(17:14):
away from landfill and send thosekerbside collections for black bin
waste to an energy from waste facility.
Of course, it is important here inCheshire East within the UK and indeed
right across planet earth to do all wecan to really step it up for planet Earth.
(17:37):
Let's hear more fromRose from Rose's Refills.
So, you know, that one bottle, I think,yes, can, can be fairly small, but
it will make a difference, won't it?
It will, and the more people that do it,you know, you know, I'm one person, you're
one person, but there are lots and lotsof one people out there wanting to put it
(18:01):
a better way than that, but collectively,it adds up to more, doesn't it?
It does, it absolutely does.
And I think, you know, the more oneper people we can get, you know, if, if
everybody, And they do, lots of peopleare saying, I've told my friend and I've
told, and you know, people come in andsay, Oh, I've been hearing all about you
and something that my friend told me.
(18:23):
And that's all, if everybody who comesin now just tells one person and that
person comes in, that's, I think we'renot going to save the planet, are we?
You know, Roses Refills isn't going tosave the planet, but we can have, we can
make a, a small contribution towards it.
And, uh, and so, so yeah, I think.
(18:44):
We've got to all think, yes,I can make a difference.
Yeah, I think, I think,I think you're right.
I think, do you think that, you know,we, in the future, do you think we could
see more organisations doing the kindof valuable work that you're doing?
So, you know, you, might there bepart of a supermarket that has a
(19:04):
little bit of a refill section?
Do you think that could be, youknow, the society of the future?
Are we heading that way or?
Well, I'm some of them in the,there are big supermarkets that
have tried it aren't there.
I don't know whether you're aware.
The one down at Woolstanton had the,for food, the gravity bins that I
have, you know, with the food in.
But they've actually, unfortunately, it'sclosed because I think the problem they
(19:26):
were having, I believe, is that tryingto keep it restocked was the issue, you
know, trying to keep it on top of it.
It'd be great, wouldn't it, if wecould go to, and, and some countries,
you know, there are supermarketsabroad that do make it work.
Yeah, I was aware of that, yeah.
But I think, I think that the value,they can only have the, the, the
(19:48):
gravity bins, which are the ones withthe handles because obviously then
people aren't touching the produce.
Because if we have the scoop bins, likeI've got, there's then the issue with,
you know this, it's cross contaminationand the scoops, so they need, yeah.
Yeah.
I think they probably needsomebody manning it all the time.
And maybe that is.
What's happened is the issue peoplehave said they've come to me and said
(20:12):
they've been down there to get, I don'tknow, nuts or what have you, and they've
been empty because there's, you know,there's nobody there to, to fill it up.
And again, it's because it'sa bigger space, isn't it?
And there's more people doing it.
I'm able to stay on top of itbecause it's, you know, there's
only, there's, it's a smallerspace and I can keep my eyes on it.
(20:33):
Absolutely.
And that that's your focus.
Yeah, I can, yeah.
I can kind of see that actually thelogistics of it would be tricky.
Yeah.
I think perhaps we need to, you know,people need to go and observe and see
how they're doing it abroad becauseit then they are making it work.
Mm-hmm.
But so I, what is it thatthey are doing differently and
to be, to be fair, you know.
(20:54):
I don't know whether they do liquidsbut it'd be great, wouldn't it?
You know, like I said, we don't wantto put myself out of business but it'd
be great if people could go to thesupermarket and do it because they'd
be more inclined potentially because itis, you know, if you're just going to
one, having to go to one place to do it.
Yeah, and I suppose probably forpeople, you know, that convenience
(21:14):
thing is could be a barrier.
And I suppose another barriermight be people sometimes like
to do what they've always done.
You know, I think if I'm sort ofthinking about my parents, you
know, they they are perhaps a littleset in their ways, you know, well,
this, this, this is what we do.
This is where we go.
So doing something differentfor some people might just seem.
(21:35):
Just a little bit too, too scary and Ikind of get that, you know, I'm someone
that doesn't always want to kind ofstep out of my comfort zone, but my
experience of using refills is really,really positive, you know, and you do
have to plan a little bit, kind of,you know, you've got to sort of think
ahead a little bit and that kind ofthing, but I will hold my hands up and
(21:57):
say I am not the world's best planner.
But, despite that, it, it works for me.
Works in our household.
Despite the fact that I'm not thebest planner, you know, we, we kind
of Yeah, yeah, you have to findyour way to make it work, don't you?
And, uh, I mean, lots of people havedifferent ways, but what a lot of people
(22:20):
are tending to do is they have what somepeople are calling their Rose's bag.
And so they've got a bag that they keepin the boot of the car or in the utility
or by the front door, whatever space.
And a lot of people do have,particularly with the liquid refills.
One to wash, one to wear, forwant of a better description.
So when there's one empty, they'reputting it in the Rose's bag, and they've
(22:42):
still got the other one on the side.
And then once they've got a few in there,they're then coming to, uh, to refill.
So that's, you know, it is getting into.
Some sort of routine that suits you.
Yeah, I mean, I think that's what I,I'm very impressed by that routine.
I can't say that mine is anywherenear as organized as that.
(23:02):
You know, I have it in my mindand then I can't kind of sort of,
you know, look for the things.
So I don't even have a bag setaside, but that's impressive.
I might feel inspired by that goingforward and try and be, we'll, we'll see.
This probably won't happen.
But yeah, so final questionthen for you, Rose.
(23:24):
So what do you think the futureis then for Rose's refills?
I really hope the future is, uh, you know,that I'm going to be here for a long time.
I want to expand the range.
Uh, I want to expand tomore, well, organic things.
I haven't really, a lot of peoplewho are doing refilling like
to do sort of organic things.
(23:45):
So I'd really like to do that.
I need to expand, into some glutenfree and you know, those sorts of
things to, to make it more accessible.
to, you know, those people whohave got specific, uh, needs.
I've got a fabulous Saturday girl Ellie,but, you know, eventually because I'm
getting, getting on a bit now, I wouldlove to be able to employ somebody
(24:08):
to, you know, maybe so I could have,you know, a day off here and there.
But the very long term plan isthat Chloe, my daughter, who is
the inspiration behind it, is thatI would really like to eventually.
Give it to her so that she can take it on.
So as, and when it's making enough moneyfor me to be able to take a decent wage,
(24:30):
that's, that is the long term plan that,you know, that we have passed it on to
her because she's got so many ideas andso many things that, that she would do.
And also she's young and youknow, she's got that, that sort
of, um, like energy behind her.
And she's, she's absolutely,she's completely into all this.
She's getting married in August and we'rehaving a completely sustainable wedding.
(24:53):
And so, um, which is, which is fabulous.
So yeah, that the long term plan is that,you know, you'll see less of me and you
might see Chloe and you know, so thatwe can expand even more into, uh, you
know, absolutely, uh, you know, makeand make Alsager even more sustainable
is, is the long term plan really.
(25:14):
Get, if we can get, you know, Well,every household doing a little bit
of something that would be great.
And, you know, it's reaching outto those, those other people.
I have been to the WIs in differentplaces and given some talks, and it is.
But, you know, The one age range thatis very, that is the most difficult to
(25:37):
reach is those that are 30s and 40s.
So the younger people, like my daughterswho are in their 20s, really keen.
They're busy, but they're very keenbecause they've been brought up
and they don't know any different.
They actually, the, oh, the 50 pluses.
as well, because again,perhaps they've got more time.
(25:59):
It's those people with families andbusy lives, which are the ones, uh, that
are really hard to be able to, not thatthey don't want to do it, but be able to
engage, get them to engage in it becauseof the time, uh, Time factor is, uh, is
the issue I've got, you know, they allfollow me and they've got lots of, you
know, they really like to do it, but it's,you know, it's the time factor because
(26:23):
they've got busy lives and families.
So that's my, another goal isto be able to try and reach out.
to those people.
And again, it's a, it's a long way off,but some sort of delivery service would
be, you know, absolutely fabulous.
Wow.
Yeah.
I hadn't even contemplated that,but yeah, I can see how that would.
(26:49):
Yeah.
Yeah.
It would help you reach those people.
And I suppose with a lot of kind of,I guess, business models, you know,
they're focusing perhaps on a particulardemographic, but in with something
like this, because it's environmental,because there's like a, a feeling and
a, you know, a, a social change kind ofalmost behind it, you kind of want to
(27:10):
reach everybody, you know, it's not justone demographic, it's, you know, all
kinds of different people and differentage groups, you know, and so forth.
That's it.
Like I say, it's not that they don't wantto do it, it's the fact that they haven't
really got, got the time to, or, well,it's hard to make the time to do it.
And because they can't even really,it's more difficult to do it online.
(27:33):
I couldn't even do, they couldn'teven do me an online order, then
come in because I need to have, youknow, their bottles and, and things.
So it would have to be a, they'dhave to perhaps drop off and then, or
even I'd pick up their Rose's bag andthen take it back to them, you know.
(27:53):
Yeah.
Yeah, that sort of system.
But that, that, so like I say, long term,Chloe's in doing the job and doing it with
lots more enthusiasm and young energy.
And we can reach out to more peopleand make more people aware of, you
know, reducing plastic waste and theimpact that it has on the environment.
(28:18):
Wonderful.
Amazing.
Well, I really hope thatall of that happens.
I feel, I feel it.
Well, I feel it.
Well, I think I'm, you know, itfeels to me that it's growing.
It's always busy when, uh, when I come in.
So that, you know, that'sreally encouraging.
So I really hope that that will happen.
And I just hope globally asCheshire East, but I hope
globally more and more people do.
(28:42):
you know, think more about the planet andjust, just, even, you know, just do a few
more things to make a difference and thencollectively it'll add up to a big change.
So yeah.
Absolutely, yes.
So thank you so much for your time today.
I've really enjoyed talking to you.
I always enjoy talking to you, but youknow, this is the first time that we've
done it and recorded our conversation.
(29:03):
So thank you so, so much.
And yeah.
No, thank you, Hazel.
Thanks for the opportunity.
No problem.
So that was me, Hazel Leese-Dixon,talking to Rose, the proprietor
from Rose's Refills in Alsager.
If you haven't tried refillablesbefore, give one a try today.
(29:25):
Perhaps there is a refill shop.
where you live or maybe just nearby.
Um, why not have a look onlineand find out what the options are.
You really can make a differenceby shopping in this way.
And as you will have found, um,during my conversation with Rose,
there are lots of different thingsthat you can refill and many refill
(29:49):
shops also sell other things like, um,zero waste soap bars, shampoo bars.
And other products as well.
So why not give them a try?
Finally before closing this podcastepisode it is Important to recognize
all of the wonderful recycling thatdoes take place here in Cheshire East So
(30:11):
thank you to the residents of CheshireEast for doing their best to recycle.
Those recycling effortsreally do make a difference.
But of course, here in CheshireEast and right across planet Earth,
there is always a little bit morethat we can do to have a positive
impact on our wonderful planet Earth.
(30:31):
And certainly, refillable productsis one way that you can help to
achieve that positive impact.
Thank you so much for listening tothis podcast episode, and I will
return for another episode really soon.
Bye for now.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.