Zero waste Her Whey opens in Ryde inspired by shops in Asia

Czara Lee has spent much of the last decade travelling while working as a writer, based in far-flung locations.

In March 2020, she was leaving Vietnam for India but, like thousands of British people around the globe, had to return to the UK.

What she found surprised her.

Packaging is compostable and repurposed, at zero waste store Her Whey, in Ryde.

Czara told the County Press: "In Asia, there are zero waste stores everywhere.

"I would take two little shampoo bottles and fill them up all the time.

"It became normal to me."

She spent lockdown developing her business idea because, although she loved her job the idea of a nine-to-five behind a computer no longer appealed.

Her original plans were for an eco gift shop, but Her Whey in Cross Street has grown, developed and blossomed far beyond that.

Czara stocks dry goods, including gluten free and vegan options, as well as cereals, pasta, rice, nuts, fruit, oils and vinegars.

There is oatmilk on tap and herbs and spices.

She also offers refillable toilet cleaner, dishwasher and washing up liquids, fabric conditioner, shampoo and conditioners, body wash and body lotion.

There are toothbrushes, toothpaste, compostable sponges and more.

Her Whey is on Facebook and Instagram and is working on a website.

She said: "My stock decisions have come from me researching, for hours and hours, to find a wide range."

Her aim idea is that all of us will find something to swap a supermarket trip for and she is even tackling the thorny issue of making sustainable and eco products affordable.

"I wanted to give something back," Czara told the County Press.

"Suppliers charge more for something with an eco, or organic label.

"The biggest thing for me was to make items affordable.

"I found bamboo toothbrushes to sell for £2.50.

"Customers can come into the High Street and fill up their pasta and not use that plastic bag."

Czara says she got sick of the non-recyclable clear plastic that line the supermarket shelves.

Her 'community grocery store' approach is already making headway in changing customers' shopping habits.

She says they are ditching the idea of the all-encompassing weekly supermarket trip in favour of an eclectic approach to stocking up.

"I've had people call me and read out their shopping list and say, 'Can you tell me what you've got?'

"Then they'll cross if off and say, 'I'll come to you for this'.

"I've had people say, 'Can you put me aside three litres of oatmilk?' and they'll come and pick it up."

Visit Her Whey and either bring your own Tupperware and empty bottles to be refilled, or pick up one that Czara has washed out and repurposed.

She has funnels and jugs, so the required amount can be weighed out; or an old tub or bottle can be weighed and filled and the weight of the tub deducted from the product.

There are compostable paper bags for the dry goods, like flour.

"If it wasn't for Covid, I would still be travelling," Czara said

"Coming home, I've absolutely fallen back in love with the Island and I never want to leave.

"I'm surrounded by lovely people.

"There's nothing else here like my shop, but hopefully there will be. I'm not precious about it

"The more we do that, the better the planet will be."

"It used to be normal to have a zero-waste style store and now, it's about bringing that into the 21st century.

"If we all change a little we're going to make a huge difference - especially somewhere like the Isle of Wight."