Designing London’s Recovery
Stage: Latest newsFind out more about how City Hall is working with innovators on solutions for some of our city’s most challenging issues. You can get involved too!
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2695 Londoners have responded | 08/09/2022 - 16/10/2022
Discussions
City Hall is supporting innovators to develop solutions to some of the challenges in London.
One of the innovators is testing refill shops based in schools. Refill shops are shops where customers can bring in their own containers to refill items rather than buying pre-packaged items.
The shops will be staffed by children, and will sell hand wash, body wash, laundry liquid, and washing up liquid. Shops will be open to parents and carers of the pupils, and potentially to local residents.
The innovators hope that refill shops in a convenient location will encourage parents and carers to reduce plastic waste by shopping there.
Tell us what you think in the discussion below:
- What do you think of this approach?
- Would you use a refill shop based in a school near you? Why or why not?
- What would encourage you to shop there?
- How else could we encourage refill shopping within the local community?
The discussion ran from 05 September 2022 - 17 October 2022
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Log into your accountmoisey
Community Member 2 years agoI think that this is a great idea with benefits to the children “working” in the shop to understand the price of every day products. A revenue stream for the host school and an opportunity for the local residents to meet, purchase...
Show full commentI think that this is a great idea with benefits to the children “working” in the shop to understand the price of every day products. A revenue stream for the host school and an opportunity for the local residents to meet, purchase essentials whilst reducing both their use of single use plastic as well as travel costs.
Show less of commentchristinaalley
Community Member 2 years agoFirst of all, the idea of refilling containers is a great one and is to be encouraged.
Show full commentHOWEVER The idea of children staffing these shops concerns me for a few reasons that I am surprised need explaining. One is that detergents are damaging...
First of all, the idea of refilling containers is a great one and is to be encouraged.
Show less of commentHOWEVER The idea of children staffing these shops concerns me for a few reasons that I am surprised need explaining. One is that detergents are damaging to sensitive skin and children are likely to spill them when handling large containers. Another is that children’s priorities shouldn’t include working unless they are in their late teens and can handle the responsibility. Another is that children need to be safeguarded if they are handling transactions with adults (or even much older kids) because of the risks of coercion or worse. All shops have issues around security and theft; would we expect children to manage these risks? What about drunk or violent customers? Another is that I don’t have kids and haven’t been near a school for over 30 year so wouldn’t feel comfortable with shopping in one; I’m not sure I speak the same language anymore. Lastly, a shop is not the sort of family-safe environment that a school fête usually is, so this idea gets a thumbs down from me (except for the refillable containers which are a good thing).
talk_london_us…
Community Member 2 years agoKeen to see more supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies offer refill stations (one retailer near me stopped due to Covid-19 considerations and haven't reintroduced them)
talk_london_us…
Community Member 2 years agoGreat idea but won't work for those who can only get to a school location in the evening or weekends when it's likely to be closed
Lloyd1969
Community Member 2 years agoI was in a Lidl in Slovenia earlier this year and they had refill / loose products station in the store, in fact most of their stores in all their European shops had them. It was hygienic, safe and saved on lots of plastic. If lidl can...
Show full commentI was in a Lidl in Slovenia earlier this year and they had refill / loose products station in the store, in fact most of their stores in all their European shops had them. It was hygienic, safe and saved on lots of plastic. If lidl can do this in Slovenia why not the UK? We’ve been held to ransom by the big supermarkets and our Government isn’t holding these companies to account, probably because most of their CEOs are Tory party donors! It has to change and very soon, we dont have any more time. Refill stations work, they are widespread in Europe so stop messing about and get them in our stores.
Show less of commentdoria.a
Community Member 2 years agoLove the idea of a refill shop in the local school but it would only be interesting if it was opened to everyone and not just parents of the children who attend.
Herman
Community Member 2 years agoWhat do you think of this approach? I think its a great start to show our commitment to refilling and reduce waste. I think its great for the students also to learn about shopkeeping and financial management.
Show full commentWould you use a refill shop...
What do you think of this approach? I think its a great start to show our commitment to refilling and reduce waste. I think its great for the students also to learn about shopkeeping and financial management.
Show less of commentWould you use a refill shop based in a school near you? Why or why not? I would use refill shop if at a nearby school but probably only on weekends as I work the weekdays.
What would encourage you to shop there? Learning about what is being sold therefore online shop information would be helpful.
How else could we encourage refill shopping within the local community? Incorporate it with markets, offer incentives such as buy 4, the 5th is free.
Pamela MMA
Community Member 2 years agoGood idea for teaching children about sales, marketing and business. Bravo!
rachmoriarty
Community Member 2 years agoI think this is a great idea. I don't have kids though so I would feel quite weird going into a school for this. But if enough people would use it I would definitely support it as an idea.
Teresasantos
Community Member 2 years agoWhat do you mean staffed by children. That seems troubling especially since there are so few jobs in London.
rjbrooks
Community Member 2 years agoWhile on holiday in Wensleydale in Yorkshire a few years ago we came across a general store being run in a retirement home which was probably the only 'store' in the small village of Bainbridge. We shopped there and were impressed with the...
Show full commentWhile on holiday in Wensleydale in Yorkshire a few years ago we came across a general store being run in a retirement home which was probably the only 'store' in the small village of Bainbridge. We shopped there and were impressed with the idea.
Show less of commentAmyKirb
Community Member 2 years agoI've lived in a number of different parts of London, and my shopping habits have changed in each place depending on what is convenient. Around Finsbury Park I did most of my shopping in green grocers and corner shops (some of which you...
Show full commentI've lived in a number of different parts of London, and my shopping habits have changed in each place depending on what is convenient. Around Finsbury Park I did most of my shopping in green grocers and corner shops (some of which you might call ethnic shops) because that area has a lot of really great green grocers and a quality and variety of food sold in little shops. I'm now in Nunhead, where there's an excellent refill shop near my house, and I do most of my staples shopping in, there topped up by Tesco Express for dairy etc. I've barely been in a big supermarket in years, I haven't needed to, and I much prefer it that way.
I say this because I think the point about convenience is really important for refill. It's a really great way to do your shopping, both for the environment and also as much more enjoyable experience than a supermarket. I use much less plastic and glass than I used to, and I feel like the refill shop is a little hub in our community. I suspect people will be much more likely to use refill shops if its convenient - which means having lots of them, distributed in every neighbourhood, so I can understand the logic behind putting them in schools. I think it's a good idea worth trying.
That said, while I'm sure having kids staff a centre is a nice experience for them and their parents, if you want other local people in the community to use the refill shop I'd suggest having it open when the kids aren't there, too. It feels a bit gimmicky to me and it makes it sound like it's not a real attempt at a refill shop, just something for the kids. At the least, if you do want these to be open to the public, there would be some promotional work to do to make sure everyone outside of the school community feel like this is something for them, too.
Are there incentives and support you could also offer to help refill shops open as businesses in more neighbourhoods?
Show less of commentrachmoriarty
Community Member 2 years agoI totally agree and think these are very interesting points.
Ninapanda
Community Member 2 years agoGreat idea
HelenX
Community Member 2 years agoSounds like a good idea! I would use it if I was sure it was hygienically sound and the cost was not excessive
SimonHarpin
Community Member 2 years agoI use refill shops but there are no good ones within 2 miles of me, so would support them being set up in schools if that means they would be acccessible to more people. I'm not a parent but would support them being open to non-parents as...
Show full commentI use refill shops but there are no good ones within 2 miles of me, so would support them being set up in schools if that means they would be acccessible to more people. I'm not a parent but would support them being open to non-parents as long as this is practical and safe.
Show less of commentHD
Community Member 2 years agoAnything we can do to reduce single-use plastic should be encouraged.
Show full commentHowever, to be realistic, I can only see this being used by parents of primary school children, most other people would find it inconvenient.
The most convenient for...
Anything we can do to reduce single-use plastic should be encouraged.
Show less of commentHowever, to be realistic, I can only see this being used by parents of primary school children, most other people would find it inconvenient.
The most convenient for virtually everyone is if supermarkets had refill sections.
John O'Sullivan
Community Member 2 years agoRefill shops are excellent. The only one I know alas is in near Crouch end ,Hornsey several miles from me. They need to be promoted more .You can re-use bottles particularly washing up liquid. I love fruit but hate having to purchase say...
Show full commentRefill shops are excellent. The only one I know alas is in near Crouch end ,Hornsey several miles from me. They need to be promoted more .You can re-use bottles particularly washing up liquid. I love fruit but hate having to purchase say strawberries which always seem to be in plastic boxes. I think some refill shops have fruit lose. There is a Green shop in Muswell Hill towards Bounds Green. I don't know if they actually do refill though
Show less of commentWhy can't the big supermarkets start more Refill and bottle deposit facility as well.
JEAN HILLMAN
Community Member 2 years agoThe idea is good if you have children of school age. I do not and therefore would not really change how I shop which is normally at one supermarket within easy reach of where I live. Also, it is never easy to park near schools which would...
Show full commentThe idea is good if you have children of school age. I do not and therefore would not really change how I shop which is normally at one supermarket within easy reach of where I live. Also, it is never easy to park near schools which would make a visit virtually impossible unless specific parking is provided.
Show less of commentkatierosewindow
Community Member 2 years agoRefill shops are an excellent way to reduce plastic consumption - as a one-person household save at least 4-5 pieces of plastic per week by using them, so for families this could be much more and make a huge impact.
Years ago it used to be...
Show full commentRefill shops are an excellent way to reduce plastic consumption - as a one-person household save at least 4-5 pieces of plastic per week by using them, so for families this could be much more and make a huge impact.
Years ago it used to be more frequent in supermarkets to refill containers for grains, nuts, seeds and to get things in paper bags rather than plastic - so if we as consumers start our own initiatives it takes the power away from corporations who are not using environmentally ethical processes and will put pressure on supermarkets to reconsider their practices.
Not only that, my local refill shop - The Walkthrough at Crystal Palace is a real community hub where people chat and exchange information about products and local events and info.
So I can see this being a great initiative in schools, which could offer pupils the chance to develop great skills, save parents further trips and transport costs to supermarkets and become a really thriving way to build solidarity and community around taking better care of our planet and shopping in environmentally sustainable ways.
I really believe that our daily actions and choices do make a difference.
Show less of commentBellaBlenk
Community Member 2 years agoGood to reuse containers rather than recycling. The children will benefit in many ways: increasing confidence, knowing how to run a small business, awareness of the importance of trying not to waste the earth's resources. School shops would...
Show full commentGood to reuse containers rather than recycling. The children will benefit in many ways: increasing confidence, knowing how to run a small business, awareness of the importance of trying not to waste the earth's resources. School shops would also be effective in raising the awareness of whole families rather than individuals.
Show less of comment