The first Zero Waste Shop will be opening in Wokingham this spring in Peach Place. The shop will be the new home for Maya’s Refillables, a small local business that started and grew up at Wokingham Market and online.
As a passionate sustainability champion, Maya’s dream was to facilitate her community’s green journey and help reduce the consumption of single-use plastic in homes and offices.
Back in June 2019, Maya worked with Wokingham Market to trial her new eco-friendly refillable concept, branching out to Woodley Market soon after. The reception she received from Wokingham and Woodley residents was extraordinary and she has never looked back.
In her first month of trading, Maya refilled 375 containers with products such as detergent and toiletries. As business grew, with the addition of her online business and delivery service and the introduction of a dry food product range, that number has grown to around 1,600 containers per month. Maya also provides a wide range of product alternatives such as bamboo toothbrushes, loofahs, loose soap and reusable makeup removal pads that have no plastic in their composition or packaging.
The new premises in Peach Place will provide Maya with the opportunity to expand her range of zero waste sustainable goods and fulfil a dream of being a sustainable community hub, where residents and other sustainability champions can get together. Maya also plans to offer talks and workshops to help the community move forward with green initiatives.
Whilst her new Peach Place premises is being fitted out, Maya will continue to be at both Wokingham and Woodley Markets and will carry on with her online shop and zero emissions deliveries. Those who have not yet discovered Maya can stop by and join the ‘Refill Revolution’ at Wokingham Market on a Friday and Saturday (8:45am – 2:30pm), Woodley Market on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month (8:45am – 1:30pm) and online at https://mayasrefillables.com/.
Quote from Wokingham Town Mayor Tony Lack: Our market has a long and proud history with a wonderful mix of established traders and new enterprises. We are always keen to support new businesses, see them flourish and spread their wings. Maya has done just that. Her positivity, can-do attitude, and desire to help the planet one refill at a time has enabled her business to expand across other markets, online and now into a retail store here in town. We would like to thank Maya for putting her faith in our town and we wish her every success for the future.’
Quote: Maya Gheorghe owner of Maya’s Refillables; ‘I turned my life around to set up my business from scratch. It’s been challenging but so rewarding at the same time. I get to follow my passion, be creative, and continually explore new opportunities within the zero waste, sustainability arena. Whilst I’m not going to say I’ve reached my goal, as there could be so much more to come, I’ve reached a major target of opening my Refill shop here in the place where I first started.’
‘I would not be here without my customers, who have embraced my business, tried my products, given feedback, and continually supported me come rain, wind, shine and lockdown. Behind the scenes, there is a small network of great people helping me and I am also thankful for Wokingham Town Council who gave me an opportunity and supported me on my journey.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Maya Gheorghe 07511 000592 / contact@mayasrefillables.com