WHEN Lucy Reynolds started making an effort to reduce her plastic consumption, she never imagined that it would lead to her setting up her own retail business.

But the 32-year-old is now the proud founder of Goodness Zero Waste, Urmston’s new one-stop sustainable shop.

Lucy, who is from Urmston, was inspired to launch the eco-friendly store after experiencing the difficulties of shopping for plastic-free alternatives first-hand.

She says: “I thought, it’s really bad that people have to faff like this - we need somewhere where people can go to get all of this stuff.”

Goodness Zero Waste opened in October 2020, and has been doing a roaring trade ever since.

The shop sells food staples such as pasta, rice, nuts, fruit and snacks - as well as household goods like sponges, candles and washing up liquid, and beauty products such as bubble bath and cologne.

The stock is ethically-sourced and as sustainable as possible. Much of it also comes from makers based in or around Greater Manchester.

The shop’s slogan is ‘Making a difference more convenient’ and the prices are kept as low as possible.

“I just want to make it a bit easier for people to do their bit,” says Lucy. “I think some people think this kind of shopping is expensive, or for a certain kind of person, but I just want to make it normal and fun.”

Goodness Zero Waste features a nature-inspired interior, as well as fun touches such as a machine that lets customers make their own peanut butter. “We’re definitely not a health food shop!” laughs Lucy.

The local community has been supportive since day one, helping Lucy raise the £12,000 she needed to renovate the store’s premises, a former butcher’s shop.

And in last month, Goodness Zero Waste won Retailer of the Year at the Trafford Business and Community Awards.

“The support from the community has just been amazing,” says Lucy.

For now, Lucy still works part time in falls prevention for Salford Community Leisure.

She has employed two part-time assistants and her husband Tshepo, a data analyst, also helps out on-site.

Lucy’s future plans for the shop include introducing evening craft workshops and a clothing swap section. For now, she’s delighted with the store’s progress.

“I love that people love it. It just makes me so happy,” she says. “You don’t have to be perfect at all. If we can all do our little bit that’s what we have got to do.”