Hub takes the hard work out of eco-conscious shopping

A Denbighshire community hub is providing sustainable support to eco-conscious shoppers.

Y Tŷ Gwyrdd, established June 2020 and opened on Back Row, Denbigh during June 2021, is inspiring a new level of eco responsibility amongst the local community.

The Community Hub houses an eco re-fill shop on the ground floor, with additional studio space on the first and second floors.

Marguerite Pearce, Y Tŷ Gwyrdd Director, said: “We sell groceries, household and gardening re-fill products, locally sourced where available.  We support and deliver green-themed and mental health & well-being projects, collaboratively with local artists, other community enterprises, and public and private organisations.

“We take the hard work out of eco-conscious shopping.  We offer a diverse range of affordable basic household items that help reduce packaging and food waste and collectively reduce our impact on the environment.  We listen and respond to our customers to provide products they want, from local suppliers and producers, which are environmentally friendly, and closed loop (reuse rather than recycle).”

The Denbigh establishment is supporting the #LoveLiveLocal campaign being run by Denbighshire County Council, with the aim of encouraging more people to support local businesses and shop local this winter.

Y Tŷ Gwyrdd holds a proud motto of ‘inspiring change to create a sustainable future’. 

Marguerite added: “We follow a ‘mending not ending’ ethos of appreciating and valuing everything.  We try to be creative, imaginative, and resourceful in all that we do, to first and foremost reduce unnecessary waste and consumption (buy what you need), reuse (refill containers, buy second hand, donate unwanted items, repair broken items), and recycle as a last resort. 

The hub is registered for some TerraCycle schemes, and sign-posts customers to drop off locations for other local TerraCycle schemes. 

Marguerite explained: “All our liquid refill suppliers offer a closed-loop system where they take back the container, clean and refill them.  We try to source local and UK-wide to help reduce our carbon footprint.  We have a renewal energy supplier.

The input from the local community the hub serves is vitally important to the present and future of the enterprise.”

Marguerite said: “We engage with the community to understand and support the initiatives and activities that are happening locally, to listen to ideas and concerns, and identify what people would like to see happen in future. 

“As a community benefit society, we are owned and run by the community.  We invite the local community to be actively involved in Y Tŷ Gwyrdd.  We believe to be sustainable the hub and its activities should be guided and shaped by the people who live and work here.” 

Y Tŷ Gwyrdd held their first share offer in June and welcomed on board 50 shareholders. The hub is also working with reSource CIC and Drosi Bikes CIC on a collaborative project to offer quality volunteer opportunities. 

Future plans for the hub include developing a repair workshop in Denbigh, delivering a calendar of events working in partnership with local individuals and organisations, and continuing their search to acquire community-owned wheelchair and pram friendly premises, with changing places and unisex baby change facilities.

And their message to those thinking about shopping locally in the heart of their communities?

Marguerite added: “Support local, help the high street thrive, keep our creative, friendly community spirit alive.”

Shoppers can help by sharing great experiences and products on social media to let people know you have shopped local this winter and encourage others to #LoveLiveLocal too.

You can get involved by visiting www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-support/love-live-local.aspx