Faringdon refill shop marks four years of low-waste living

Tribe Zero-Waste, based in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, has kept nearly two tonnes of plastic out of circulation since opening its doors in June 2022.

The business, founded by Katie Herring in 2018, began as a pop-up and now occupies a permanent retail space thanks to support from Oxford City Council and the Meanwhile in Oxfordshire scheme run by Makespace Oxford.

Ms Herring said: “When I started Tribe as a market stall, I really had no idea where it would lead, I just hoped it would make a difference and help those who wanted to shop more sustainably.

“I’m constantly blown away by the response from our local community and these numbers belong to them as much as to us.

“Every person who has filled a bottle or bought their oats loose here is part of this and it just shows how much more we can achieve together.

“It’s a tough time for high street retail but the fact we are still here four years on shows the passion of our community to shop in a way that helps our planet.”

Since opening in 2022, the shop has helped divert 1,769kg of plastic from waste through its refill and packaging-free product model.

Customers have avoided the use of more than 37,000 plastic bottles and containers, and more than 59,600 bags and boxes, by opting for refills and loose goods.

The savings include 425kg of plastic from dairy products packaged in returnable glass containers, sourced from Berkeley Farm organic dairy in Wroughton.

To mark the anniversary, Ms Herring and her team invited customers to enjoy a slice of plastic-free birthday cake made by Faringdon baker Flour and Fold.

The celebration also coincided with Great Big Green Week, a national campaign running from June 6 to 14 that highlights community efforts to tackle climate change.

Ms Herring attended Faringdon’s Big Green Day at the Corn Exchange, where she spoke with residents about the environmental impact of choosing reusable and packaging-free options.

Her inspiration for the business came after meeting the founders of Oxford’s SESI, which supplies refillable household cleaning products.

Tribe Zero-Waste began as a monthly pop-up in Wantage with just 20 products on a table at The Mix, a community space.

After four years of pop-ups, markets, and a delivery service—especially during Covid—the business opened its first shop in Faringdon in June 2022.

Demand quickly outgrew the original site, prompting a move to a larger unit in the town marketplace.

The shop now stocks a wide range of refillable household and personal care items, plastic-free foods, and locally sourced products.

It also offers a fortnightly delivery service across Oxford, Faringdon, and the Vale of White Horse, as well as national shipping.