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A local mum-of-two says it was her daughters' 'passion for the environment' that inspired her to open an entirely plastic-free grocery shop in Nottinghamshire.

Rosie Levick, 52, says she has been 'playing catch-up' since she opened her plastic-free store in Saundby near Gainsborough due to the demand from customers wanting to join the zero-waste revolution.

The Garden’s Greengrocers and Zero Waste Store currently stocks fruit and vegetables, dry goods including cereals, rice, pulses and grains that are dispensed using 28 gravity dispensers and liquids including shampoo, conditioner and laundry detergent. All laundry and cleaning products are plant-based and ethically sourced.

(Image: Rosie Levick)

The store doesn't sell containers, so customers must bring their own and reuse items from around their home.

Rosie says that it was her daughters who made her reflect on the current plastic crisis and she felt that she needed to do something to make a difference.

Rosie said: "My daughters are absolutely the reason why I'm doing this.

"They're both extremely opinionated and clever. My youngest daughter is incredibly environmentally conscious, which I love.

"I already ran the garden centre and a coffee shop, and we previously sold fresh fruit and veg that were free from plastic packaging. My daughters and I sat down and chatted about what I could do next and they persuaded me that I should go down the route of opening a plastic-free, zero-waste shop."

(Image: Rosie Levick)

Every year, the UK produces an estimated five million tonnes of plastic waste. 4.5 billion plastic bags are given away by UK supermarkets annually. Rosie believes it's important for small local businesses to lead the way when it comes to going plastic-free.

"Larger supermarkets just aren't interested in fully embracing plastic free because it doesn't fit in with their business model," she said.

"Therefore it's up to smaller, more local businesses to lead the way and make sure we're inspiring others to do the same.

"Certainly since the War on Plastic documentary came on on the BBC, people have been far more invested in minimising their use of plastic and we've seen that in the response to our store.

(Image: Rosie Levick)

"We've been responding to what people are asking for, so even if we haven't got it we can suggest some sustainable alternatives.

"One woman came in the other day asking if we stock olive oil, which we don't, but I was able to suggest a local farmer down the way who supplied rape seed oil.

"The public are no fools. We're working on tight margins because we're a small business, people recognise that. People are also beginning to understand that whilst cheap, plastic wrapped food is cheap, there's a much larger cost, an environmental cost, on the other side.

"We're a small family business and we are looking to expand. But hopefully we can also inspire others from across the county. My gut feeling is that the more of us that are out there, the more people will get on board."