Zero Waste Sutton, based inside Oru Space on Sutton High Street, is run by Peter Gare.
Customers bring their own containers and Zero Waste Sutton refills them with eco-friendly, organic everyday products, from cleaning supplies to personal care items.
Maria, Peter’s partner, explained that the idea grew from frustration with the scale of unnecessary plastic production.
She said: “Zero Waste is a refill station.
“We provide the community the option to refill containers instead of throwing all those plastic bottles away.
“This is our way of reducing plastic waste and pollution.
“So far, we’ve prevented about 26,000 bottles from ending up in bins.”
Products at Zero Waste Sutton are sold by weight and are free from harmful chemicals.
Maria emphasised that all items are ethically sourced and fair trade, with one of their suppliers recognised as the second most ethical business in the UK in recent years.
She said: “Everything we sell is eco-friendly, fair trade, and labelled clearly so people know exactly what’s inside.
“It’s a very easy, immediate way for people to make a difference.”
The refill station operates independently but benefits from being located inside Oru Space, a multi-purpose co-working and community hub.
However, due to being inside Times Square Shopping Centre towards the back, they aren’t the most visible.
Maria added: “We’re independent, but Oru Space shares our values.
“It’s about community, doing things differently, and giving people a chance to experience sustainability in a practical way.”
Customers bring bottles, jars, and containers, which are refilled on-site.
The system also uses a closed-loop approach, with containers returned to suppliers to be cleaned, refilled, and reused.
Maria explained: “I had this habit for years of trying to reduce unnecessary production in the industry.
“A lot of products aren’t recyclable for small reasons, including the type of plastics containers are made of and the costs involved.
“Despite whatever happens with packaging, this is a way of reducing waste and the pollution it causes.
“In the end, materials can only be recycled a limited number of times because they degrade, and recycling is very energy consuming, with costs for fuels, energy, and transport.
“This is a way of doing things differently, based on habits I’ve had for years.”
Peter and Maria have seen an encouraging response from the local community, with repeat visitors spreading the word to friends and family.
Maria added: “Obviously, not everyone is aware of the impact of reusing products.”
Zero Waste Sutton is part of a growing shift in the kinds of businesses appearing on Sutton High Street, following the introduction of the Oru Space.
Maria and Peter said the shop provides a practical demonstration of how low-waste living can be integrated into everyday routines, with refill stations, package-free goods, and community workshops.
Zero Waste Sutton is open from Wednesday to Saturdays between 10am and 4pm, and 11am to 4pm on Tuesdays.
