Published 1 April 2023

Sustainability Trust EcoShop - celebrating the legacy

Our EcoShop may have sold its last shampoo bar, but it leaves a legacy to be celebrated with widespread availability of sustainable products, and suppliers that will keep going from strength to strength.

We have been at the frontline of mainstreaming products that help us all live more sustainably, from bamboo toothbrushes to refillable products and returnable packaging.

Our values for positive procurement at our EcoShop were buy ethically, grow resilience, support zero waste and a circular economy, be energy smart, support community and inspire and educate. We sold products that helped us all reduce our footprint but didn’t cause harm in the supply chain. About 70% of any business’ sustainability impact comes from the supply chain. If you are looking to take the next step on your sustainability journey, check out Docket, a free tool from Sustainable Business Network that helps you assess the sustainability of your business and your suppliers.

We know that our customers still want the products we stocked. Read on for our rundown of just some of our favourite suppliers and where you can continue to find them!

Our Retail Manager Isabelle has created a close-knit community of suppliers and customers aligned with our vision for a just and sustainable low-carbon future for Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui, the wider Wellington region. We know our suppliers will go from strength to strength.

Stockists

You don’t have to go far from the Trust to find values aligned retail outlets for many of our products. Te Aro is the Sustainability Sector for Poneke! Hopper Refill is a bulk refill store on Hopper Street but is a community hub with so much more going on, from regular Flea markets, to supporting local food and repair events. Other top spots are Commonsense Organics, who have stores on Tory Street, Kilbirnie, Lower Hutt and Kapiti Coast, GoodFor Wholefoods Refillery on Jessie Street and Good Housekeeping on Cuba Street. If you need more inspiration for plastic free shopping check out The Rubbish Trip’s regional shopping guides.

Wellington Region Suppliers

Apostle Sauces produces hand-made hot sauces and other spicy concoctions with stockists all over New Zealand. Check out their website for stockists and return locations for their bottles.

Oh Goodness is handmade in Lyall bay, and includes a lovely range of deodorants, creams and sustainable soaps. Ana ensures only compostable and fully recyclable packaging for her products. Jars can be returned to the studio in Lyall Bay or via Hopper. A $1 voucher can be issued for return of a clean jar bought directly.

Seasick Sunscreen is made from 100% naturally-derived ingredients. Developed for sensitive skin, it’s plastic free and your purchase contributes to ocean conservation. They are stocked by Hopper and GoodFor, find more stockists or order direct via their website.

Snaxpax food covers and lunch bags are the perfect way to reduce your single use plastic. Machine washable, waterproof and all handmade in Wellington. You can purchase direct at many local markets, from their website, Facebook.com or from The Artisan Co-op Store in Eastbourne.

Solid is changing the way we brush our teeth by offering plastic free, carbon positive and dentally approved, oral care products with a focus on reuse and refill. Stockists include Hopper, GoodFor, Commonsense Organics and Good Housekeeping.

New Zealand suppliers

Little Green Dog home compostable dog poop bags are available online and at Smack Bang, 23 College Street in Wellington.

CaliWoods reusable alternatives can be online and at stores including Commonsense, GoodFor, Moore Wilson and The Minimal. They also take back used Razor blades by post: CaliWoods C/o Handle With Care, 753 Te Atatu Road, Te Atatū Peninsula, Auckland 0610.

Millstream Gardens have been making and selling herbal ointments for over 40 years. Many of the plants used in making the salves come from their gardens or are gathered wild from their land. Beeswax comes from a local Apiary, and the sunflower oil, which forms the basis of most of their macerations, is grown sustainably in NZ. Find them at Commonsense or online. They are happy for customers to accumulate their containers and then send a small box back to them for re-use, and they will reimburse the postage costs via a credit off an online order.

Will&Able is Aotearoa’s only brand of eco-cleaning products creating jobs for Kiwis with disabilities. Their products can be found online or in-store at Farmlands Cooperative Stores. Their EcoToilet Cleaner is stocked at GoodFor. They reuse and recycle their containers in Christchurch.

Over 12 years of operation we have had so many sustainability heroes looking after our EcoShop. Vishal will have been a familiar face to so many of you, he knows the history of the Trust and our services inside out; even our now Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon has done a stint. But special mention of course goes to our current legend Isabelle. A French ball of energy and Sus Trust Mum, she comes into her own on our market days and bakes the best bread. Take a bow and thank you for everything you have done to give advice on products, answer sustainability questions, sort plastic bottle tops, shift curtains out of cars and a million other things while keeping a smile on your face.  

We’ll continue to be on a mission to encourage Wellingtonians to reduce, reuse and recycle rather than buy new. Our EcoCentre will still be open for sustainability advice, workshops, reuse, repair and recycling. Drop off your recycling, pre-loved curtains, bikes, car seats etc, and get advice from Saturdays 9-4.30pm. Find out what you can still recycle with us here.  A few items do cost to drop off, so please check before visiting us. We are also a drop-off point for reusable packaging from suppliers including Apostle Hot Sauces and Solid.