Lesser Litter

06/05/2026

What a brilliant way to celebrate Earth Day! 🌍

It was such a pleasure having In The Mix Project Bronze DofE group visit us at Lesser Litter.

We loved showing them how the shop runs, how refilling works, and the difference small sustainable choices can make every day.

We’re so proud to support groups like In the Mix who are actively learning and taking action for the planet and making a real difference!

Well done to everyone involved! 💚

28/04/2026

Thank you for trusting us! Delicious food and a magical experience always at The Velvet Garden! ✨

01/04/2026

Easter is coming, and we’ve just restocked the adorable Coco Loco Dark Chocolate Mini Eggs! 🐰

These come in a lovely bunny-shaped box and are completely vegan and Fairtrade.

We love working with Coco Loco because they’re genuinely ethical: they source organic cocoa directly from small-scale farmers through fair trade schemes, support projects that improve livelihoods in cocoa-growing communities, never use palm oil, and ensure their chocolate is made without dairy or artificial ingredients.

A truly kinder Easter treat or gift that aligns perfectly with our zero-waste and ethical values at Lesser Litter.

Pop in and grab a box (or two!) while they last. 💚

30/03/2026

Today is International Day of Zero Waste – a gentle reminder that every small, imperfect choice we make can add up to something meaningful. 🌍🌱

At Lesser Litter we see this every single day. When you bring your jar or bottle back and ask us to serve exactly what you need, you’re not just avoiding single-use plastic; you’re helping
reduce demand for new packaging, cutting transport emissions, and keeping money circulating in our local community. That’s the spirit that guides us.

In 2025 alone, our community’s refills helped keep hundreds of kilograms of plastic out of landfill and oceans – from washing-up liquid bottles and cereal boxes to pasta bags and nut pouches. Every refill mattered.

Thank you for being part of this collective effort. Whether you’re just starting your zero-waste journey, refilling your regular favourites, or simply choosing to borrow one of our jars instead of buying new packaging, you’re making a real difference.

Together we’re proving that small, consistent actions really do build a greener, kinder planet.

Happy International Day of Zero Waste! 💚

28/03/2026

Colourful vegan sweet treats! 🍭

We’ve restocked all your favourites for a kinder Easter:

• Vanilla fudge
• Chocolate raisins
• Cinder toffee
• Chocolate giant buttons
• Banana caramel foam
• Sour cherries
• Strawberry gummies
• Fizzy cola bottles & cherry cola bottles
• Gummy space mix
• Fruit jellies
• Sour dummies
• Marshmallows

🐰Perfect for filling Easter baskets, sharing with the family, or treating yourself while keeping things vegan and plastic-free.

Pop in and fill a jar with whatever takes your fancy – our team will happily serve you. 💚

27/03/2026

🍷Sustainable wines restocked!

We now have a lovely selection of organic reds, whites, and rosé wines. All from thoughtful producers in Spain, Italy, France and Portugal.

♻️ Every bottle is returnable - bring yours back and we’ll give you 50p off your next one.

Come and browse the list in the shop or ask our team for recommendations. Perfect for a cosy evening in or as a thoughtful gift. 💚

23/03/2026

Our window is officially in spring mode! 🌱🐰

Huge thanks to Millie - one of our brilliant college students, and our wonderful regular volunteer Vicky Dawson who worked together on the display.

Millie designed and made the colourful cardboard Easter eggs and carrots, while Vicky helped bring it all together and hang the little jars filled with treats.

It’s such a joy having students from Taunton College and our dedicated volunteers working side by side; their creativity and energy bring something special to Lesser Litter every time.

Come and have a look (and a refill!) while the spring decorations are up. We’re open as usual and would love to see you! 💚

25/02/2026

Thank you for joining us at our in-person forum last night, run in partnership with Spark Somerset; it was energising to be in the same room with passionate community food workers & volunteers.

🧂Thank you to Lesser Litter / Ethical Food Collective for hosting us, speaking about your coop & showing us around your well-stocked shop.

🍰Thank you to Without Borders for the short talk & wonderful cakes!

☕️Thank you to Coop rep, Eve Warburton, for talking about ethical / Fair trade food sourcing and supply chains.

Hope to see you at the next online forum - Tues April 28, from 7pm.

Thanks for being part of the conversations able2achieve Transition Town Wellington Wivey Kitchen in Somerset Somerset, Citizens Advice Somerset, Thrive, NHS health coaches, Somerset Community Gardening

05/02/2026

Excited to be part of this! 🌱 On Tuesday 24 February at 7pm, Lesser Litter will host the Somerset Food and Growing Forum – a free networking evening for groups and organisations using food, growing, or gardening to make positive change in Somerset.

We’ll share how our volunteer-run refill shop operates as a Community Benefit Society, keeping ethical, healthy, plastic-free food accessible for all. There’ll be peer support, best practice sharing, and a look ahead to 2026 plans (including a food-focused funding workshop).

If you’re involved in a community fridge, allotment, cooking group, foodbank, therapeutic garden, or similar – or just curious about sustainable food in Somerset – come along!

Book your free place here: https://www.sparksomerset.org.uk/event/somerset-food-and-growing-forum/

See you there? 💚

Does your group or organisation use food or growing to support positive change in Somerset? Would you like to network with groups like yours from across the county, and share peer support and best practice?

Join us in Taunton at 7pm on Tuesday 24 February for our Somerset Food and Growing Forum!

Hosted in partnership with Somerset Community Food and Citizens Advice Somerset, we'll be talking about the Ethical Food Collective's sustainable food shop in the town and how it operates with volunteer support. We'll also discuss plans for future meetings in 2026, including a food-focussed funding workshop.

Interested? Find out more and book your place here: https://www.sparksomerset.org.uk/event/somerset-food-and-growing-forum/

23/01/2026

👩‍🌾 What does 'certified organic' actually mean?

In the UK, certified organic is a strict legal standard. To carry the EU organic logo (the green leaf with stars) or Soil Association mark, a product must meet rigorous rules: no synthetic pesticides, no GMOs, and no artificial fertilisers. At least 95% of ingredients must come from certified organic farming, with full traceability back through the supply chain. The Soil Association (the UK's leading certifier) applies even higher standards in areas like animal welfare, packaging, and environmental protection, making UK organic certification one of the most robust in the world.

🙅‍♀️ Common myths & difficulties

Despite this strength, myths and difficulties persist. A common misconception is that “organic” means completely pesticide-free; in reality, approved natural substances are allowed (strictly limited and monitored), while synthetic chemicals are banned. Another myth is that organic is always more expensive, though direct supply chains and refill models often make it more affordable than pre-packed conventional equivalents. Greenwashing is rare due to legal restrictions (you can't claim “organic” without certification!), but confusion arises from unregulated terms like “natural”, “sustainable”, or “eco-friendly” on non-certified products.

👍 How we ensure products are truly organic at Lesser Litter

We only source certified organic items where possible; always checking for the official EU/Soil Association logo and certification code on packaging or supplier docs. Our suppliers provide proof of certification, and we keep records for traceability.
As a community refill shop, we prioritise transparency: if a product isn't certified organic, we clearly say so. No misleading labels here – just honest, ethical refills to help you shop with confidence.

Small choices like refilling make a big difference when they're backed by real standards. Thanks for caring about what you buy! 💚