AN ETHICAL food and refill shop has opened in a new mini mall to help Harwich residents cut down on plastic use.

An Ethical Life, which has a shop in Carpenters Farm, Aingers Green, has joined the new shopping centre in Kingsway, Dovercourt.

The company, which offers self-serve loose foods from pasta and seeds to herbs and cereal, as well as nuts and gluten free items, also has a range of refillable liquid items including hand wash, laundry detergent and shampoo.

Rachel Parker, owner, said: “I think people are becoming more aware and we are getting more new people come in to our shop. Some people have been doing it for a long time and then there are novices.

“I think it’s a mixture of the TV shows about the plastic problem combined with people just speaking about it more. It’s the topic of conversation at the moment and people are encouraging others to do more.”

The company also has a mobile shop taking its products to villages such as Great Bromley and East Bergholt and has taken on another member of staff to run the latest site in the Kingsway Plaza.

Rachel added: “We viewed it and thought it would be a good idea.

“It’s about making it easier for people. If they have to do a long journey there are less likely to do it. We have a big range here and lots of vegan items including ready meals well as dairy and soya free items.”

For more information, visit An Ethical Life on Facebook.