The Refill Box opened in April and is a plastic free store that stocks products in bulk, allowing customers to minimise their packaging and food waste.
Customers can refill their own containers or paper bags with as much or as little as they need. They also stock eco essentials such as natural soaps and reusable straws, and every item is vegan — even their chocolate buttons!
We caught up with owner Natasha Wicks as part of the #Warksmas campaign.
Why did you set up The Refill Box?
I was working for The Body Shop at the time, and through their various campaigns realised that my love for change and environmental justice was bigger than my job, so I visited other zero waste stores and decided, Stratford needs one! Why don't I set it up! At the moment it’s just me working in the shop, with the help of some family volunteers occasionally when they want to be paid in paper bags of sweets!
What do you think keeps your customers coming back?
I think people are especially happy to see something different, and that gives them control of the impact they have on their planet, which is so important. We have some fab products and there's often something new every time you visit, but I also tend to stock a majority of my products from small and local businesses, which people love to support! I like to think my bubbly personality draws people back too, perhaps? Ha ha!
What is your best-selling product?
Sweet treats and snacks, it’s fab being able to get vegan fudge with no packaging, or chocolate Brazils with no box! They’re fabulous as presents too but they often don't make it that far without being munched!
What do you think is your best product and why?
It’s definitely our liquid refills, they cut out so much plastic just from refilling the bottles customers bring in. However, on top of that our supplier Miniml also take back our bulk containers and refill those! That makes it completely circular and as waste free as it can be!
What are the most unusual items you stock?
People are often surprised to see our spice collection, we have some fabulous blends such as Chinese salt and pepper, Tandoori Masala, and our sweet popcorn spice too! We also stock reusable items such as nail polish remover pads, and washable sanitary pads which often get a few strange looks but I think they're a fantastic product personally!
Have you had any unusual requests from customers?
At the moment I'm trying to find suet balls without plastic for a customer, sadly no luck so far though.
How important is the Christmas period to your business?
This first year of business will probably be like no other we will encounter, because of the pandemic. But I’ve worked in retail a long time and know that Christmas is super important, so I’m hoping it’s a knockout for us!
Who would be you ideal (dead or alive) four guests for Christmas lunch and why?
David Bowie, as a self-proclaimed oddball myself I would love to have a conversation with him. Freddie Mercury, another music legend and someone I’ve listened to many times. Princess Diana, she was such a beautiful woman with such a beautiful heart, and it would be fantastic to share a room with her. Finally, I’d have to say my Grandad John, he passed away long before I was born, I’d love to see what he was like for myself!
What would be your own personal ultimate Christmas present?
I would love for my business to be successful this Christmas, but I’d also ask for calm. Calm with my family this Christmas and calm in myself, to just take a deep breath after a mammoth year and say, we got through it, it’s done (and then eat lots of mince pies!).