A SHOP helping people cut down on waste has opened in Colchester.

Inside An Ethical Life you will find refillable household products, cosmetics and food items, which just so happen to be vegan, plant-based and kind to your body.

Married couple Dave and Rachel Parker have set up shop above Just Essentials in Eld Lane, next to the town's only dairy-free diner.

The launch beat Rachel's expectations and only emphasises people's growing intolerance towards waste.

Gazette:

She said: "We absolutely smashed it on Sunday, we were so busy.

"There's a lot of people supporting and suggesting items to stock and what they'd like to buy.

"I've always been big on recycling - I shout at anyone if they don't put it in the right bin - and I hate packaging.

"At home we've always been careful to not be wasteful.

"Environmentally-friendly products are a big thing. It's not until you get deep into you realise how bad some products are and how many alternatives there are."

Everything from bamboo toothbrushes and chopping boards, coconut scouring pads, shampoo bars, soaps, and spices can be found inside this wooden shop of wonders.

Rachel is always sourcing new brands to stock which will be local and independent like her.

She said: "It's important because with so many talented people, there's a lot of companies customers won't know about.

"Staying local helps them and also keeps the miles down."

Alternative items are usually more expensive but the pair have made a concerted effort to be reasonable.

She said: "A customer I was discussing this with also pointed out people will pay a bit more because they expect to in an independent shop.

"We can't buy in bulk like the larger stores but we do try to keep our costs in line with other retailers."

What began as a shelf has now become a store and will soon expand into an empty room next door.

But the vision is a large, ground floor shop with as many zero-waste products as it can fit.

She added: "At the moment the shop isn't accessible but we're collaborating with a monthly vegan fair so customers can order online and either pick it up there, or visit the shop and we'll bring it down to them.

"Eventually we'd like a website which will save people time and will also be a way to check an item is in stock."