What is ripple?
We're a not-for-profit, zero-waste store, aiming to launch in Cardiff in 2018. We're standing strong in the face of adversity, and inspired by the amazing community of Cardiff, we're ready to go bigger and bolder than we could have ever imagined on our own.
What does ripple stand for?
It's simple really. We're all about conscious consuming; from our food to our fashion choices. We think everyone deserves the chance to shop more ethically. If it was easier, we'd all be doing it, right? When one person makes a change, everyone else pays attention, because ripples create waves. That, and you know… plastic.
Hang on, what's wrong with plastic?
Don't misunderstand us, we're not anti-plastic. It's a material that’s saving lives and has a much-needed purpose worldwide in the medical, transport, sport and electronic industries. But single-use plastics? Yeah, they suck. BIG TIME. Plastic bags, water bottles, coffee cups, straws, packaging, wet wipes, sanitary products… the list is endless and it’s getting longer.
By 2050, it’s estimated there will be more plastic than fish, in our world ocean. Studies estimate that 8 million tonnes of plastic waste is dumped into the ocean each year and by 2025, that’s set to double. Worried yet? Us too. Plastic packaging accounts for an eye-watering fifth of the cost of your weekly shop. What if you could shop package free? Well, we’d all be saving a lot of money and precious resources.
So, what’s ripple doing about it?
To help you pass on plastic, we’ll be offering over 120 bulk wholefoods and encouraging you to bring your own containers, jars, tubs and bags to refill every time you shop. And because we believe in treating every creature with kindness, we’ll also be stocking the best natural and cruelty-free home and beauty products too, from eco laundry detergent to shampoo, soap and washing-up liquid. There’s even going to be some sustainable homeware and ethical fashion thrown in for good measure. Think bamboo socks and organic cotton underwear!
I’d like to speak to the manager. Who’s in charge here?
Ah, that’ll be me. I answer to Sophie. You can find me hanging around Cardiff, and I love to chat, so feel free to shoot me any questions. If you're not local, find me on Instagram and send me a DM.
Why am I doing this you might ask? Well, like many of you, I watched Blue Planet II in 2017 and was deeply shocked to see the devastating harm humans are having on our planet. Since then, I’ve felt a tad ethically queasy. My zero-waste journey started not long after, and since then I’ve been making small changes to help lighten my personal plastic footprint.
And that’s what ripple is all about; making small, sustainable changes to help create a bigger impact. When you decide what you stand for, it’s easy to make decisions that align with it. I’ve decided to stand for equality, kindness and a slower, lower-impact way of living. If you think you might like to try that too, then I’m sure you’ll love what we’re doing.
Can anyone shop in ripple?
Anyone and everyone. We may be zero waste, but we’re zero hate first and foremost. Choose a label, or don’t, you’ll always be welcome. We also know budgets can be tight, and the cost of living is creeping up, so we’re aiming to keep the cost of our stock as low as possible, to ensure this way of shopping becomes a sustainable way to live.
What will ripple spend the money on?
Once we've found our perfect location we’ll be turning it into a store to be proud of, with easy-to-use self-serve gravity containers and high-spec scales to make your shopping experience easy and quick. The rest will go towards our first big stock order, which we’ll be sourcing from a local ethical co-operative in bulk paper sacks to reduce our plastic waste.
What are the rewards?
From our very own branded Enamel Pins and sustainable Tote Bags, to Hot Pod Yoga Classes and Zero Waste Starter kits, we've got you covered. Our rewards are worth pledging for!
Can I follow along with your journey?
Of course, we’d love that! We’ll be posting our progress across social media, to keep everyone updated. You can can find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Risks and challenges
As with any new business, there's always some risk involved with starting out. But, we've armed ourselves with the best industry experts and consultants to ensure we're making the best decisions, with the least harm on our planet.
We run on 100% transparency, and want to keep you all in the loop, so we promise to update you with everything we're up to.
Our biggest foreseeable delay will be securing the perfect location for ripple, but it's important for us to get it right, to reach as many people as possible with our message. We know the right place will come along soon.
We can't predict the future, but we know our hearts are in this for the long haul, so if you're keen to get involved, collaborate, or you have an amazing idea that aligns with our mission, get in touch.
Together, we can make waves of change.
#therippleeffect
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