Zero Waste Store Projects

Past & current projects include; supporting zero waste store setups, working with FMCG brands to support reuse & refill trials, and working with a University to set up a campus zero waste shop for students & staff.

Zero Waste Implementation on Campus

Zero Waste Shop offering 400+ sustainable products for 15,000 students and 2,00 staff on campus.

Queen Mary University in London were looking for a retail opportunity to take over a large footprint on campus, that was previously held by a bookshop. A Director in Estate & Facilities had visited a Zero Waste shop on holiday in the UK, and thought it would be a perfect offering for the students and staff of Queen Mary.

The initial ask was to create a proposal for the store including concept, proposed equipment & technology, product mix and high level forecasts. This was to be taken to the board for approval to move forward in to implementation.

Following approval from the board, we were brought in to manage the implementation of the store including designing the space, ordering equipment, stock, and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The internal Creative & Marketing teams were brought in to create a new brand for the shop, and QMU Zero Waste Shop was born.

We brought in some of our trusted suppliers, including signage supplier and a next-generation technology provider for the Point of Sale, which includes an app, and allows users to shop by scanning QR codes for improved customer service.

The students have received this addition to their campus with excitement and are hugely engaged with the concept.

"Queen Mary have worked with Megan Adams & restorerefill for the past 12 months from idea inception to project delivery for the QM Zero Waste store at our Mile End Campus. Megan’s consultancy was instrumental in our delivery from business plan, procurement to opening. I cannot recommend Megan and her team highly enough." John Iveson, Assistant Director Estates & Facilities

"We have partnered with Restore Refill to open our first Zero Waste Shop on our Mile End Campus. Megan and her team have been invaluable in the conception, planning and opening of the shop. Megan has gone above and beyond dealing with internal stakeholders about all areas of the business from procurement, marketing all the way to waste management. Her expertise and knowledge about sustainable suppliers and retail operation has been vital in setting up this store. I could not recommend Megan and her team enough." Christine Houston, Head of QM Operations and Venues

Past Projects

Consulting for Individuals Setting Up Zero Waste Businesses

Completed 10+ 'Zero Waste Shop Set Up' sessions with individuals looking to set up bricks & mortar, online or mobile zero waste businesses.

Worked with the individuals to support them in:

Finding suppliers
Product mix
Target market
Store operations
Online operations
Food safety requirements & processes
Store set up costs (incl. equipment, stock etc.)
Pricing strategy
Financial performance

This also includes provision of some standard templates such as a Product Master, Set Up Costs List, Opening Checklist, and First Order template.

Supporting Reuse & Refill Trials

Working with another consultancy, supporting large FMCG companies with identifying opportunities for reuse & refill trials.
Understanding from the business where they are with reuse & refill, helping to identify products or product categories that could work well, and supporting moving them to the next steps.

Collaborations

Through our zero waste shop, Re:Store, we have managed collaborations with other zero waste businesses.
This has involved helping set up a mobile zero waste shop, and incubating that business for the first 6 months of their trading. This business is now successfully operating and growing in the North East of London.
An ongoing collaboration is with a business that is working towards becoming the zero waste marketplace, to bring together the power of all the independent zero waste shops and help customers find them more easily.