Reducing waste, one refill at a time in Banbury and Bicester.
When the financial crash hit, retail was the last place I thought I’d end up again. I left the industry disheartened, fed up with seeing businesses put profits before people and the planet. I didn’t set out to open a refill shop. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Instead, I went travelling. I needed to reset, to figure out what came next. Along the way, I fell in love with the natural world, its beauty, its fragility, and its growing burden from the waste we leave behind. I’ll never forget diving in a protected marine park in Southeast Asia, miles from the nearest town, only to see a mattress drifting above us and tyres embedded in the reef below. It was sobering. At that moment, I knew I had to change how I lived.
So I came home with a personal mission: to reduce my impact, create less waste, and buy only what I truly needed. But even with the best intentions, I soon hit a wall, especially when trying to shop without plastic. Besides fruit and veg, it was nearly impossible. Zero waste shops were few and far between, mostly around Bristol or the South West. That’s when my partner Vi and I made a bold decision: if there wasn’t a shop near us, we’d open one ourselves.
From the beginning, Nothing But Footprints was about creating a space that’s as welcoming and accessible as possible, not just for the eco-conscious pros, but for anyone wanting to make small, sustainable changes. We knew refill shops sometimes carried a reputation for being more expensive, but we’ve worked hard to break that myth. In fact, many of our refill products cost less than their packaged supermarket equivalents. Sustainable shopping should be available to everyone, not just a few.
Convenience matters too. That’s why our Banbury shop is open seven days a week, with late openings on Thursdays until 7pm. We also offer local deliveries every Thursday, click-and-collect from both shops, and even a handy drop-and-fill service: leave your containers with us, and we’ll refill them ready for you to collect later.
For anyone unsure about how refill shopping works, we understand, it can look quite different from the typical supermarket setup. But it’s simple, and we’re always here to help. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Start Small – You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine. Try refilling something you use regularly, pasta, oats, or maybe just washing-up liquid.
Reuse What You Have – Forget the matching glass jars; just bring takeaway tubs, jam jars, or old cereal boxes. Refilling is about reusing, not buying more.
Ask Questions – Every refill shop works a little differently. If you’re unsure, ask! We love chatting with new customers, giving tours, and helping you find the best-value options.
Make it a Habit – Keep a few containers in the boot of your car or by your shopping bags, so you’re always ready when inspiration strikes.
And remember: you don’t have to be perfect. This is about progress, not perfection. If you forget your tubs, don’t worry, we’ve got spares you can borrow, or paper bags to use on the go.
If you’ve been thinking about making the switch, we’d love to help. Come and visit us at our Banbury shop (next to Bodycare in Castle Quay) or Bicester shop (inside Bicester Green, Sheep Street). We’ll show you how easy, affordable and rewarding refill shopping can be.
You can also learn more at
www.nothingbutfootprints.co.uk
