Lentils and Lather

Lentils and Lather is a well-established and highly-regarded eco-friendly and ethical refill shop based in South Manchester, UK, with its primary location in Withington (50 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 3EB) and a second shop in Marple, Stockport. Since its launch in 2019, it has become a central hub for sustainable living, empowering individuals to significantly reduce their plastic waste and make more conscious purchasing choices.

Lentils and Lather: Pioneering Plastic-Free and Ethical Shopping in Manchester

Lentils and Lather was founded by Paulina and Carl Peachey, who were motivated by their own personal health issues and a strong desire to reduce their environmental impact. They identified a significant gap in the market for accessible zero-waste shopping options in their local area, leading them to create a business that not only sells products but also champions a more sustainable way of life.

Mission and Vision: Tackling Plastic Waste and Fostering Sustainable Living

Lentils and Lather's primary objective is to enable people in their community to reduce the amount of plastic waste they produce. However, their vision has rapidly expanded to encompass a broader range of sustainable and ethical practices, including:

• Minimizing carbon emissions by sourcing locally where possible.
• Supporting other local programmes and businesses with a similar ethos.
• Educating and encouraging customers to adopt more sustainable habits.

They aim to simplify the process of shopping unpackaged, making it convenient and achievable for everyone to contribute to a healthier Earth.

Chorlton Bike Deliveries x Lentils and Lather

Core Philosophy: Bulk, Reuse, Local, Ethical

The core philosophy of Lentils and Lather revolves around several key principles:

• Waste Reduction: Their central tenet is to eliminate single-use plastic packaging. Customers bring their own reusable containers (jars, bottles, bags) to refill with products.
• Bulk Buying & By-Weight Sales: They purchase in bulk, significantly reducing packaging at the supply chain level, and sell products by weight, allowing customers to buy only as much or as little as they need, further minimizing waste and potentially reducing costs.
• Circular Economy: They work with suppliers who provide products in large reusable containers that are returned, cleaned, refilled, and reused many times over, closing the loop on plastic usage.
• Local and Ethical Sourcing: They prioritize sourcing products from local, independent manufacturers to minimize carbon emissions (food miles). For products that cannot be sourced locally, they ensure suppliers adhere to high sustainable and Fairtrade practices.
• Affordability & Accessibility: They strive to make sustainable living accessible by offering competitively priced products and emphasizing that small changes can make a massive difference.
• Community Support: They actively engage with and support other local initiatives and charities.

Key Product Offerings and Services:

Lentils and Lather offers a comprehensive range of products, making it a one-stop shop for sustainable living:

1. Bulk Food Items:

   • Pantry Staples: Grains (rice, quinoa, oats), pasta, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, flours, cereals.
   • Spices, Herbs & Teas: A wide selection, often including unique and less common varieties.
   • Oils & Vinegars: Available for refill.
   • Snacks & Treats: Including vegan chocolate, dried fruits, and often delicious homemade cakes.

2. Refillable Household & Personal Care Products:

   • Laundry & Dishwashing: Laundry liquid, fabric softener, washing-up liquid.
   • Bathroom & Personal Hygiene: Shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, refillable deodorants.
   • Surface Cleaners: Multi-surface and specialized cleaners.

3. Plastic-Free & Reusable Products:

   • Reusable face wipes, wax food wraps (like those from Simply This, which they might stock), soap bars, plant pots, kitchen cloths/sponges, bamboo toothbrushes, and "butty bags" (sandwich wraps).
   • They also stock a range of ethical gifts from independent makers.

4. Fresh Produce:

   • They offer a range of fresh, often organic, fruit and vegetables.
   • They act as a collection point for Veg Box People, a service that delivers locally grown produce, further enhancing access to sustainable food for their customers.

5. Coffee & Refreshments:

   • They serve coffee and often have delicious cakes, providing a pleasant shopping experience and a spot for a quick break.

6. Delivery Service (M20 Refills Collaboration):

   • They have a significant collaboration with M20 Refills, which offers a "milkman-style" zero-waste home delivery service for household liquids and other plastic-free products across a wide area of South Manchester. This extends their reach and makes sustainable shopping even more convenient for customers.

Community Involvement and Impact:

Lentils and Lather is deeply embedded in the local community and committed to broader environmental action:

• Community Assembly: They actively participate in local environmental initiatives.
• Partnerships with Local Charities: They make regular donations to a charity supporting vulnerable adults and collect empty crisp packets for a guide dog charity (who send them to Terracycle for recycling and revenue generation).
• Sustainable Living Projects: They collaborate with groups like "Sustainable Living Romiley" to create meal kits for families, emphasizing affordable, low-carbon, plant-based cooking using local and seasonal produce.
• Loyalty Card Scheme: Their loyalty card offers rewards, including contributions to City of Trees, a Greater Manchester project aiming to plant millions of trees in the region, directly supporting local environmental efforts.
• Educational Outreach: Paulina often gives talks on sustainable living, inspiring others to adopt eco-friendly habits.
• Awards: They have been recognized for their community role, being finalists in Awards.

Lentils and Lather is more than just a shop; it's a vibrant community hub and a testament to how local businesses can drive significant positive change in environmental sustainability, social well-being, and conscious consumption. They make sustainable living accessible, tangible, and truly part of the everyday lives of Manchester residents.