The Soap Box Co.

Plastic-free, ethically produced self-care products, delivered directly to your door? Yes please!

Well that's exactly what The Soap Box Co. do! Co-founded and run by Will and Jess in January 2021, the aim of The Soap Box Co. is to source ethically produced, plastic-free self-care products that smell amazing and nourish your skin.

From 'Cornish Soapcake' body soaps and 'Earthkind' shampoo bars to 'Your Nature' natural deodorant, their mission is to make plastic-free, eco-friendly living easy and accessible to all.

Much like their gorgeous, understated branding, their mission is simple; making it easier for people to reduce their use of both plastic and harmful (often toxic) ingredients found in large scale cosmetics, and to be more mindful about the products they are buying and using.

Ethical, mindful and plastic-free. That's how Will and Jess describe their brand. The seed for it became apparent just how difficult it was to find everything they wanted in one place, which prompted the venture. With a focus on fuss-free, options and handy delivery (local delivery starts from just £1!), The Soap Box are passionate about supporting other small businesses by carefully sourcing each product as locally as possible, to showcase in their boxes.

Did you know that recyclable bathroom waste accounts for 30% – 40% of total landfill waste in the UK? Based in Devon, an environmentally friendly and sustainable ethos is at the very heart of the brand. Making it easier than ever to empower customers to make ethical choices whilst reducing waste and supporting local companies along the way.

Offering only the best natural products in their collection from brands that share the goal of working towards a greener, better future, they want people to be aware of the damaging impact that many mass-produced products have on both our planet and our bodies.

Its win-win, good for the planet, good for your skin and good for small businesses!

Quick Fire Questions with Will and Jess:

Have you got any upcoming plans?

We would like to expand to provide a wider range of products, gift boxes and also monthly subscriptions. We will hopefully be attending some outdoor markets this year also.

Do you find it difficult competing against chains?

We know that it is often difficult for people to make more eco-friendly and ethical swaps as the price of handmade, natural products are significantly more than those mass-produced products you can buy in the supermarket.

Favourite piece to date?

We are very passionate about our original box – The Soap Box Co – It's what started our small business and is a way in for our customers to begin their plastic free self-care journey. A personal favourite of ours are the Earth Kind shampoo and conditioning bars as they leave your hair feeling and smelling great. We also love all of the soap bars that we stock from Cornish Soap Cakes, Suddy Nora and Soap and Pamper they all feel a lot ‘cleaner’ having washed with a bar of soap, compared to shower gels.

By becoming a more conscious consumer, you can reduce your waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Because, let’s face it, there really is no planet B.

Start your ethical, plastic-free self-care journey today with The Soap Box Co.:

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Sami-K | Sustainable Clothing

Sami-K is a sustainable clothing brand offering beautifully hand-made, unisex clothing for both grown-up's and kiddies. Each and every product is made and sourced in Britain as part of a focus to support local businesses, ethically and honestly. Designer Sami founded Sami-K through lockdown with a creative ambition to make an ethically conscious and joyful impact on both people and their products.

Sami is a Cornish designer and sea-lover, currently living in South London, who is on a mission to challenge the way we buy, wear and value clothing.

Pioneering a progressive shared wardrobe concept, their premium unisex products are made for both grown-up's and children, and are made to last. Combining style and sustainability with practicality, Sami-K focuses on simple sizing with effortless everyday design, using premium fabrics with a high attention to detail. Think calming, neutral tones, playful patterns and ultimate comfort!

Designing and sampling everything in her London studio, Sami draws her inspiration from travel (especially in her second home on wheels, Agnes the Van) and design, working closely and in conscious collaboration with suppliers, customers and likeminded businesses; proving that everyone from the initial production process to the customer can be happy.

With a clear commitment to reducing waste at every step of the process, Sami experiments with unique, adaptable pattern cutting techniques and uses off-cuts to create additional limited one-off pieces. She is determined to ensure the viability of her consciously sustainable efforts. Sami illustrates and develops new ideas herself and works with a local supporting studio just a bike ride away for any necessary small batch production.

We mean, who WOULDN'T want to wear the Shelby Dungaree every day!? ^

Each design is personally signed off to certify the quality, fit, practicality and feel of each Sami-K piece.

Sustainability is woven into the DNA of the Sami-K brand. From the fabric to the packaging (which is made from fully organic, recycled and reusable biodegradable materials!), every little detail is sourced in the UK from small family-run suppliers. Their certified organic fabric supplier works alongside another small family-run business in Kerala, India to produce the gorgeous hand-woven fabrics. The mill is GOT’s certified and their artisan fabrics are produced in small quantities, ensuring the highest quality with minimal waste.

Sami K aims to support goals 11 and 12 of the United Nations Sustainable Development plan wherever possible too.

Sami-K embodies community and sustainability, combining play with practicality and fashion with conscious focus. As a member of Make it British, Sami will continue to evolve the brand and develop strong, long-standing relationships will all involved, from the fabric producers to the valued customers.

Discover the ethical, sustainable and adaptable ( and oh-so-comfy-and-gorgeous) Sami-K collection that represents conscious joy and a love for life:

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Earthkind - Refills on wheels

Refills on Wheels is a mobile zero-waste shop, delivering plastic-free dried foods, toiletries, snacks (think yoghurt coated banana chips) and other goodies directly to the local community.

If you’re anything like us, you avoid buying food wrapped in layers of plastic where possible. Luckily, Refills on Wheels is committed to helping you start your journey to a plastic free lifestyle. Gertie, the gorgeous van, is home to a zero-waste shop where you can refill your own containers with dry goods like rice, pasta, nuts, pulses and chocolate. You can even pick up everyday essentials, and get delivery to your door 'milkman' style!

After an epic rebrand by 'We Are Alfa', Gertie is now settled right here in South Devon. In the driving seat is Naomi, who is devoted to reducing plastic waste and passionate about sustainability. Inspired by the mantra "Be the Change You Wish to See", their mission is to make zero-waste shopping accessible to all, whilst maintaining a low carbon footprint .

"By putting our shop on wheels, we are able to bring plastic-free shopping into communities and areas it wasn’t available before."

Naomi had the idea for Refills on Wheels back in 2019 and was spurred on by the events of 2020 – Lockdown really highlighted the fact that people were struggling to access food and supplies as easily as they used to.

Naomi's dream came true with the fantastic support of her local community here in the South West. She raised funds through grants and Crowdfunder, gaining impressive traction. Lots of local businesses, including Yoke the Salon and Southwest SUP, donated wonderful incentives, encouraging more and more people to donate to the venture. Every penny raised has gone towards the dream and, in September 2020, Refills on Wheels opened and became the first ever mobile refill business in the whole of Devon.

Naomi and Gertie travel around South Devon, stocked up with dried food, liquids, and household products sourced as locally as possible, and refill containers for her loyal customers. She works in a loop - both delivering directly to your door and parking up in popular spots - using containers from suppliers who take them back when they’re empty, wash them, refill and return them, saving waste all round.

'Combining convenience and zero-waste, build lasting connections in the community while making ethical shopping more convenient.'

Naomi really loves meeting people on her travels and has made it her mission to get to know each handpicked supplier and their stories, to further support the fantastic work of the existing zero-waste shops in Devon. Referring to them by their personal names on Social Media (Click here), Naomi wants both her customers and suppliers to feel a part of the community whilst forming the important connection between 'supplier' and 'shopper'.

If a customer asks Naomi about any of the products, she really enjoys telling them all about the company that made it. So, if you want to find out more...ask away!

‘We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.’

As Local as it Gets

With a clear focus on supporting local, Naomi works hard to form relationships with as many local and ethical businesses as possible. One being George, a local baker. Getting up before the sunrise, George freshly bakes delicious loafs and - just as they've had a chance to cool down - delivers them straight to Gertie at Broadway.

Subscription Boxes? Yes please!

We've got some exciting news! *drumroll please* Naomi is soon to be launching online subscription boxes! Watch this space!

You can find Naomi and Gertie at the following places:

• Every Monday @ The Broadway, Plymstock | 9am – 4pm

• Every Thursday @ Chudleigh Market, Chudleigh Town Hall | 9am – 1pm

• Every Thursday @ New Park, Bovey Tracey (Blue Waters Road) | 2pm – 3pm

• Every Other Saturday @ Chudleigh Market, Chudleigh Town Hall | 9am – 1pm

Check out Earthkind!

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Have you got an independent, local business or know someone that does?! Get in touch. We'd love to chat! info@lovelocalcollective.co.uk