Local refill shops are an inspiration to Climate Action Newcastle members! But 2024 is seeing changes, with some favourites closing their doors, new services being added, plus growth in online supplies. Your tips and updates are vital, to help us all support the refill pioneers helping us to help the planet.
READ ON FOR OUR GUIDE TO REFILL SERVICES IN AND AROUND NEWCASTLE
It’s a great feeling to take a rucksack or reusable bag and return with NO containers or packaging! When we set out to reduce the amount of waste in our recycling bins, it makes a huge difference to use refill shops.
Our map shows refill places in the Newcastle area. And here’s some member tips on how they’ve reduced their carbon footprint through refill shopping, and which sources they use. Please share your Tips and refill addresses with us too.
GENERAL TIPS
Olwyn: Where possible, take the actual container you’re refilling - it avoids paper bags and means you get just the right amount. Or save paper bags provided by shops and take them for your next refill purchase (I keep them by the front door to grab on the way out).
Sheila: Take your own containers. Exciting unusual stuff, and all the things you need. I go nearly every day
Olwyn: Reuse glass jars as refill containers, also to transport drinking water
Paula: Simply take your container or use paper bags, and enjoy buying household products without the guilt of plastic pollution.
REFILL EXPERIENCES - plan your visits using our handy Google Map below
109 General Store, 109 Heaton Park Road, Heaton, NE6 5NR
Calum: "Amazing refill shop with really friendly staff and a massive range of produce."
Jen: "This store now has oatmilk refills!"
Kathy: "Very friendly place! Organic and locally grown produce, lots and lots of refills, including delicious homemade granola and tasty bread. Also has useful range of eco cleaning products."
Fruit and Nut Shop, Grainger Market, Newcastle NE1 SQN https://shop.graingerdelivery.com/collections/the-fruit-nut-company
Rob: "This shop doesn't make a big fuss of what's on offer - but I've gradually realised what fantastic bargains it has. Worth a check."
Pauline: "Not so fancy as some, but been there for years, providing option to buy loose goods, all sorts of pulses, nuts, seeds, flour pasta, cereals dried fruit etc."
The Honey Tree, 68 Heaton Road,Heaton, NE6 5HL
Deb: "I highly recommend. You can refill everything from sunflower seeds to laundry liquid. They also offer organic veg and fruit box, to deliver or collect, and Piercebridge organic meat. Lovely people, too!"
Olwyn adds: "Easy to miss some product refills, out of sight behind the till. Organic veg can be pricier, but they do great deals from Saturday afternoon - usually a third off!"
Ernie, Stepney Road, Ouseburn, NE2 1AP
Olwyn: "Handily, next to Ernest cafe and takeaway hatch that does excellent coffee. As well as refills, it tackles food waste by offering a discounted bag of goodies from 5pm to closing time at 8."
Refillable household and personal products include range scented with Clary Sage, great way to clean my bath whilst enjoying a lovely smell rather than chemical-based cleaners. https://www.fillrefill.co/product/scrub-powder-5kg-bag/
Green Heart Collective, High St, Gateshead (just 5 mins from Metro/bus interchange; also close to High Level, Tyne and Swing Bridges)
Olwyn: "Handy spot for terrific hub for a range of re-use, re-purpose ways to reduce our carbon footprints. Offers a range of household products refills, and while you're there, you might spot pre-loved outfit or bag, or pick up a book. There's also a new Mend and Make Do workroom."
FURTHER AFIELD
Buy The Kilo, Tynemouth Metro Station, Tynemouth NEJO 2TF
Pauline: "I also like very much Buy the Kilo, run by Jackie Sewell and her daughter Rachael Brien. Really easy to get to by Metro, as it is right in the station, but also a nice excuse to cycle out to the coast. Lovely pasta and great variety of pulses, as well as lots of plastic-free bathroom stuff."
Olwyn: "Wonderful to see it has oat milk refills! Take a screw top jar or I have a carafes with a lid, which means you can get a large quantity and keep in the milk section of the fridge. You could even reuse an oatmilk carton."
Replenish By The Bay, 101 Park View, Whitley Bay, NE26 3RJ, Whitley Bay:
Earth Warriors, 76a Skinnergate, Darlington DL3 7LX
https://www.facebook.com/earthwarriorsdarlo/reviews Facebook review: “Such an amazing eco shop not just for your day to day household items, which are fab by the way, but for those naughty but nice treats including chocolate and wine Joseph the owner is such a good host and knows his stuff for any questions or advice you may have or need.”
GOOGLE MAP - find refills services near home or to visit when you're out and about
ONLINE SERVICES & OTHER TIPS
Some of these products can be found in the Refill suppliers listed above, but here's some other solutions to help fill gaps:
Bathroom: soap bars (Alternative Detox Bar or Faith in Nature soaps), refills for shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste tablets, toilet rolls from Who Gives a Crap (which donate 50% of profits to help build toilets for people in need) or Bumboo, which is similar; natural deodorant from Wild, which comes in compostable refills that go in a case you get with your first order. It has no aluminium in it, which is another huge bonus!
Milk: delivered by The Modern Milkman in glass bottles, and they sell other things too.
Reusable bottles, cups, containers: use them 😊 An app tells you where the nearest place is to fill your water bottle up. There are more fountains becoming available, and most cafes/pubs will refill them too.
Food: Try to bring lunch in a reusable container or bring a reusable container to get takeouts during the day. Avoid supermarket meal deals, which are full of plastic!
Alternative Stores: This pioneering store has seen major change in the autumn: well known as having a huge vegan range (including shoes), it's been snapped up by Heather Mills and has gone online-only soon. An expanded range of plant-based suppliers is promised. https://alternativestores.com/
TO CHECK
St Thomas’ One World and fair trade, St Mary’s Place, Haymarket, NE1 7PR https://stthomas.church/shop
Hermione: "A great place and central location. Temporarily closed during church refurbishment."
Frances adds: "Array of Ecover products. They refill any you bring, or have spare plastic bottles if you're short of one. Much cheaper and saves on plastic use!"
ONE TO WATCH!
The many fans of Something Good in Jesmond enjoyed regular innovations - the oat milk on tap was a favourite! Sadly, it is now closed and up for sale. If you hear of any update - please let us know. Many thanks to Lauren and the team for a tremendous service over recent years.
Picture credits: Something Good, Olwyn Hocking, Alternative Stores
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