My work as a writer and blogger puts me in touch with lots of interesting people. This week I want to introduce you to the team behind Full Circle, a new zero-waste shopping concept based in Cambridge. This clever new company was launched last autumn by ecologist Emma, engineer Paul and bioinformatician Johanna.
Where did we meet?
I met Paul and Johanna, two of the brains behind Full Circle Cambridge, at The Old Bicycle Shop in Cambridge. We settled in with a coffee and spent a fascinating hour discussing their vision for zero-waste shopping in Cambridgeshire.
A new way to shop
While we sipped our coffee, we talked about how we’re all sick of the single-use plastic and unnecessary packaging in supermarkets. I like to moan about it, but Paul, Johanna and Emma actually want to do something about it. Full Circle is here to help the people of Cambridgeshire make a positive change in the way they shop.
Zero waste, reusable, low carbon products
The Full Circle team have a stall at Cambridge Market on Mondays, Thursdays and most weekends. Here you’ll find everything from locally made solid shampoo bars and soya food wraps to bamboo toothbrushes and soap nuts. Also, excitingly, they offer a refill service for washing liquid, hand soap and other household goods.
A circular economy
At first I was surprised when Paul and Johanna told me they don’t offer delivery by post. Instead, deliveries are made to CB postcodes only, and the orders are all despatched by bike or electric vehicle. But it soon made sense when Paul explained their vision of a small circular economy with a minimal carbon and waste footprint. Wherever possible their products will be locally made, and to keep packaging to a minimum, the team collect everything themselves straight from the supplier. To complete the circle, they are also a recycling point for things that would normally go in the bin like crisp packets, empty toothpaste tubes and plastic biscuit wrappers.
Whats next for Full Circle?
Paul, Johanna and Emma have big plans for Full Circle. They want to purchase an electric van that will become a mobile pop-up shop delivering a large range of zero-waste groceries in re-fillable containers. It will serve not just Cambridge but the surrounding villages and towns – giving more people than ever the chance to change the way they shop.
To achieve this dream Full Circle need our help
They’ve just started a Crowdfunder project and they need our help! I’d love to see them archieve their goal – partly because I want them to bring their van to Ely, but also because I admire everything about their vision.
What a great article, Lizzie, and a wonderful service. Love the ideas of the bike deliveries, too. I wanted to “like” this article, but for some reason, the button just won’t work, despite multiple attempts XXXX
I’m so pleased companies like this are popping up – it’s such an important change!
I’ve been Full Circle for about 4 months now having brought a bamboo straw, toothpaste and dentabs. I absolutely support their company and try to share their values as much as possible. I used their refill service for the first time this week and got very excited about taking my own bottles to be refilled. It would be amazing to see this expand into s food range and perhaps even more products like shampoo, moisturiser etc.
I also take any Tetra products back to them as well. I can not wait to see them grow and I hope that more people support them so that they can expand and make a wider impact. Thank you for doing what you are doing!
That’s brilliant Karen! Being able to refill household products has to be the way forward – it’s such a simple but effective change!
What a vision. You are great to share this. Best of luck to them.
Great, isn’t it?