Welbeck Farm Shop first to introduce zero waste packaging system
Published On Friday 27 Apr 2018 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
Welbeck Farm Shop has become the first farm shop in the country to introduce a new, zero-waste packaging system.
Based on the Welbeck estate between Nottingham and Sheffield, the store’s focus on low food miles, artisan food tradition, rigorous taste testing, and waste reduction has earned it a reputation as one of the country’s top farm shops.
‘Unpackaged’ offers a series of refillable dispensers for shoppers looking to reduce the amount of packaging they use. The scheme has been inspired by a more traditional way of shopping, where goods are measured and weighed and do not come in hard-to-recycle plastic packaging.
On offer is an array of cereals, pulses, pastas, rice, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate and various other raw foodstuffs. The Welbeck Farm Shop has installed the Unpackaged system in bright, well sign-posted area of the store and customers can fill up their own containers and weigh out exactly what they want before taking their goods to the tills.
“As a responsible retailer we are always looking at ways in which we can reduce both food waste and packaging waste and the Unpackaged concept is a great fit for our Farm Food Shop. We have always carefully sourced our produce in terms of quality and reduced packaging is now also at the forefront of our decision making because it’s something both our customers and our staff are very keen on,” says Oliver Stubbins, Welbeck Farm Shop Manager.
Offering refills is different to ‘bulk’ shopping, which does not deal with the issue of packaging waste. The weight of any container is automatically deducted from the overall weight of the goods bought and the system is self-service, easy to use, and complies with all legislation on weights, measures and labelling.
Catherine Conway, founder of Unpackaged: “Independent retailers have a huge opportunity to beat the big supermarkets to reducing waste – and shopping ‘by refill’ ensures repeat business!”
Unpackaged started up in 2006 at market stalls around east London before opening a small shop in central London selling over 700 products in bulk, offering a solution to the growing problem of packaging waste. Today, Unpackaged leads the way in retail and consultancy services tackling packaging at all stages of the supply chain.
Welbeck Farm Shop is found at the heart of a vibrant artisan food community. Two thirds of the shop’s product range is sourced from, or prepared at, the historic Welbeck estate. Open seven days a week it stocks the estate’s own meat, game and Raw Milk, (also used to make ‘Stichelton’ blue cheese), ale from Welbeck Abbey Brewery, bread and patisserie from Welbeck Bakehouse and chocolate from Welbeck Farm Shop’s resident chocolatier Shelly Preston.
Earlier this month (April) Welbeck won the prestigious ‘Small Farm Shop of the year’ award in the national Farm Shop and Deli Awards. The award was made after a public vote followed by judging from an independent panel of food industry experts.
| The Ashford Arms Named In The Top 1% Of Restaurants Worldwide By Tripadvisor The Ashford Arms - a historic 17th-century country inn with rooms in Ashford-in-the-Water, near Bakewell in the Peak District - has been Read The Article | |
| Sheffields Food Heritage Book Launch Draws Crowds to Stannington Library People from across Sheffield made the journey to Stannington Library this week to celebrate the launch of The Unsung Flavours of Sheffield - a new book Read The Article | |
| The Miners Opens Its Doors: A Café, Deli & Wine Bar Celebrating Local Produce and Community Spirit A new chapter begins for one of Edwinstowe's most cherished spaces, as The Miners officially opens its doors this week. The Read The Article | |
| The Cupola in the Peak District Wins Central England Prestige Award for Self-Catering Accommodation The Cupola Kitchen and Rooms in Stoney Middleton has been named Self Catering Accommodation of the Year Read The Article | |
| The Hide Opens Its Doors - Chatsworth Escapes introduces new affordable Peak District hotel Set in moorland on the edge of Chatsworth Estate, The Hide opens its doors this week, providing an affordable yet stylish base for those looking Read The Article | |
| Losehill House Stakes Its Claim As The Peak Districts Most Romantic Hotel This Engagement Season Engagement season - the time between late autumn and Valentine's Day when almost half of all proposals take place Read The Article | |
| Name Like Russo? Drinks are on the house at Derby Restaurant Football fever’s about to hit Derby - and one local restaurant is kicking things off in delicious fashion. On Tuesday, October 28, football history makers The Lionesses are heading to Read The Article | |
| Relaunch party marks expansion milestone for New Era Square success story Panenka Bar & Grill has just unveiled its brand-new look at a glitzy VIP launch party. Guests from the worlds of media, sport and entertainment raised a glass to Read The Article | |
| Every Pud Counts: Longbow Venues Donates £1 From Desserts To Local & National Charities Longbow Venues is highlighting the impact of its £1 dessert donation initiative, which turns every pudding served across its Peak District Read The Article | |
| Losehill House: Unique Luxury Peak District Hotel Marks 111 Years With Refreshed Branding Losehill House Hotel, a unique luxury four-star boutique retreat nestled in the heart of the Peak District's Hope Valley, is celebrating its 111th Read The Article | |