Plastic free eco-friendly shop opens in Heysham

Ben D’Alton, 36, opened Happy Turtle Zero Waste Store at 28, Woborrow Road, and the shop provides eco-friendly, sustainable and cost effective products for the home.

The shop has a zero waste policy and sells a compact range of the essential items that every household needs.

From cleaning refills, plastic free, fruit and vegetables and their own range of personal care items plus much more.

Everything they use is recycled or reused.

Shop owner Ben D’Alton said: “This is the first zero waste store to open in Morecambe and it has been something on my radar for a little while.

“I wanted it to be streamlined, I had a vision for it.

“I was a barber until December but I had to close. I developed my own skin and hair care products which are natural and eco-friendly so I wanted to create my own outlet for them.

“There is a real buzz that comes from someone buying something you have created yourself.

“We have bottles you don’t have to throw away with products in.

“We sell washing up liquid, toilet cleaner, multi-spray, laundry liquid and conditioner, big sponges, scrubbing pads, shampoo, body wash, hair conditoner, liquid hand soaps and soap bars made in store.

“We also sell seasonal vegetables and fresh produce and we also get freshly baked bread from Filberts in Lancaster, which can be pre ordered as well as two deliveries of quality produce each week from a supplier that gets a good amount of produce from within Lancashire.

“Nothing is factory plastic, shampoo is in a refillable bottle, there is no single use packaging at all. We recycle any packaging we get, we are a reuse and recycle business.

“As far as we can we want to encourage others to do their bit in reducing their waste and rethinking the way they shop.

“Whether it be buying one of our fresh weekly veg boxes, using our refill service for your eco friendly cleaning products or taking care of yourself with locally produced soaps and skincare, there are many ways to make small changes.

“The Happy Turtle shop used to be a dental lab on Woborrow Road in Heysham

“The basement is being converted to keep things fresh and cool. We have everything under one roof now.

“The first week of trading has exceeded my expectations so far, at the end of the week I thought ‘this has gone a lot better than expected.’

“The locals have been really supportive and embraced having something new on their doorstep and the welcome has been great.

“People have found us by accident as well.

“It’s really given a boost to Heysham Village, we’re tucked just out of the way from the main shops in the square.

“It’s a little more upmarket for the area and affordable. It’s aimed at people with disposable income but we have reduced the price for a lot of things.

“Zero waste products shouldn’t be just for those with privilege.

“A litre of washing liquid is £6.95 and that works out at 31p a wash and it’s also better for the environment.

“My wife Fiona, who is 40, helps me create the soaps and my sister-in-law helps out with the website.

“We just have one order form, like a shopping list, which you submit online. You can then collect it from the shop, or we have started doing some drop-offs.

“There is a demand for it, the feedback for the vegetable boxes has been fantastic.

“We love to work with others too, one of our suppliers Wild Blue Yonder UK, also based in Heysham supports local artists with their range of giftware which we love.

“We are wanting to be customer led and are looking at introducing new ranges of food and drink fairly soon.

“It’s a bit of a boost for Heysham village which is such a lovely location.

“It needs a shop like this. Hopefully it will inspire other people to do something similar.

“You can rest easy knowing you are doing your bit locally to help the planet.”

Check out the Happy Turtle website at: www.thehappyturtle.co.uk or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehappyturtlestore/. or pop into the shop on Woborrow Road.