I’ve wanted to share posts about Leicester –  the place where I live and where Zen Garden (Boutique) is based – for a while now, but did not want to totally go out of subject. Today I am rather excited because a Zero Waste shop has open its door in one of my favourite quarters of the city and I can NOT not talk about i!

Few words about Leicester first

Leicester is a lovely city in the middle of England. Not too big to be too crowded, not too small to be too calm. I lived in many cities in the world, most of them being really busy (Paris, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Antananarivo in Madagascar) so moving in Leicester was a big change for me but I love it because the town has always something new to discover: restaurants, shops, activities,… It’s a great place where new trendy concepts find their place. There is also a great community of entrepreneurs and universities are booming. You may think I am a little bit too optimisitic but i truly believe Leicester really has a chance to be a little Silicon Valley in long term if the city is well managed!

Nada Zero Waste Leicester

Among the most recent new shops that opened, one really got me excite! It’s the first Leicester Zero Waste Shop: Nada.
Nada Zero Waste Leicester – created by the mum entrepreneur Lauren – is based in the center of town, in the beautiful and trendy St Martins Square.

They have a very nice variety of products:

In the food section, you can find in their shop:

• Selection of pasta, grains and rice: tricolor fusily, lentils, black turtle beans, basmati (white and brown), long grain rice, wholegrain couscous…
• Nuts and seeds in different shapes and forms: sweet almond ground, sweet almond whole, sweet almond blanched, hazelnuts whole, macadamia nuts, walnuts …
• Dried fruits: dried apricot, banana chips,  dried mango (my favourite!), dried pineapple, coconut chips,…
• A beautiful range of spices: mixed herbs, mixed peppercorn, paprika, oregano, rosemary, sage, tyme, turmeric,…
• Cereales: muesli base,
• Baking products: flour, chocolate buttons, raw chocolates cacao powder, raw chocolats fava beans, raw chocolate ginger, ….

Nada also has a beautiful range of products for your house and personal care:

• In their personal care section:

You will find some bathroom accessories essentials such as security razor, konjak sponge (a must have in your bathroom!), cotton swabs, bamboo toothbrushes, soap pouches, washable wipes, …

They also have a nice range of green / zero waste cosmetics. You will find solid deodorant, zero waste tooth paste, liquid shampoos and conditioner, dry shampoos,… You will also find our dry hair, normal hair and greasy hair solid shampoo bars.

• Some household products: Refill cleaning products but also bicarbonate of soda and citric acid, the two main ingredients you need to make plenty of homemade zero waste household products!

Accessories:

There are few articles that have become the “MUST HAVE” of Zero Wasters. Among them, the famous straws (small step that can save tons of plastic waste),

• Straws in different shapes and materials: bamboo straws, metal straws, natural wheat straws , glass straws,… And of course straw cleaning brushes.
• The famous trendy Chilly’s water bottles: they are just really cool and God knows how many plastic bottles we can save by having our water bottle with us every day!
• Reusable wraps (and little plus about them: they are locally made in Leicester).
• Lunch boxes, sporks, snack bags, …

This list is not exhaustive, and they keep extending their range of products based on customer demands so that’s really great too.

Buying in Bulk in a zero waste shop

For those who are not familiar with buying in bulk, it’s much simpler than you think:

First of all, you can come with your own jars (bought brand new or recycled) and your own bags or if you are very new to Zero Waste, you can also buy your bags directly in the shop (they have a very nice range of muslin and mesh bags) or use one of the recycled jars provided for free by the shop.

– You weigh your container at the till
– then fill the jar with the food of your choice
– and then you weigh it again

Tadammm!!!!!

If you feel intimidated by the dispensers and need assistance, no worry! Lauren, the owner of Zero Waste Leicester Nada is also very helpful.

Where and why?

There are many many reasons to shop in a Zero Waste shop, and it’s not just for people interested in Zero Waste products. It’s for everyone. Few reasons :

• You live in Leicester and would like to start or improve your Zero Waste journey? Nada Zero Waste Leicester is the very first place you need to go!
• If you are looking for green cosmetics and accessories, it is also the place to go!
• You love baking and you are looking for quality ingredients? Give it a go! Big plus on the fact that you can buy only the quantity you need.
• If you are looking for an original gift for someone that loves ethical products, you will have plenty of choice.

Address: NADA. St Martins Square, Leicester, LE1 5DG. it’s just in front of St Martins Coffee.