Humble beginnings

Like the rest of the world, I was horrified by the plastic pollution problem highlighted in Blue Planet and in 2018 started trying to go plastic free while living in a flat in the west end of Glasgow.

I ditched hair conditioner, chemical cleaning products, cling film, plastic bags and at one point, to all of my friends’ dismay, was making my own toothpaste. I found all the shops nearby that sold essential items in refill form, but found it was still impossible to remove the single-use plastic from my life.

The dream of running a refill shop was born.

Then life happened and the dream was shelved and during that time the rest of the world was also waking up to the problem and starting to produce plastic-free solutions. Subscriptions of plastic free deodorant, toothpaste tabs and dishwasher tablets all became available, and refill shops were popping up all over the country, including several in Glasgow that were accessible- wonderful!

A move to Lanarkshire in lockdown revealed the lack of places to go for everyday essentials in refill form and the dream was re-ignited. However, being from a healthcare background, I had no idea what I was doing. So it was a bit of a slow burner, but in 2022 the Wee Green Neuk Ltd finally started.

It started very small as a market stall selling dry goods and toiletries, but I wanted something more concrete- as in a brick & mortar building. In time though it became clear that the towns and villages of Lanarkshire would be better served by a mobile refill shop that is convenient for them and accessible, which is where the idea of converting a horsebox came from.