Portsmouth volunteers have raised £40,000 to open an eco-friendly store that will tackle the city’s environmental impact.
The Package Free Larder in Elm Grove, Southsea, will be using alternatives such as glass containers, metal razors and plastic and packaging-free toilet roll to tackle Portsmouth’s waste issue. The funding for this project came from 500 donations on the crowdfunder website to raise the £43,765 needed. The market has been opened with the help of Portsmouth citizens donating items such as glue scrapers and paint rollers, as well as van drivers offering to deliver equipment. Ashleigh Spice, a volunteer for the market, said: “Our project wouldn’t have turned into anything without the community and other volunteers.” The main aim of the market is to reduce Portsmouth’s level of plastic waste going into the ocean. “Portsmouth is particularly vulnerable because of its location. Our bad plastic habits are having a devastating effect on the environment,” Ashleigh said. Southsea councillor, George Fielding, said he was pleased to see a new market like this coming into the city. “The outpouring support for them in this endeavour really goes to show the strength of character that Portsmouth has when supporting community-led projects.” “It is vital that we show by example as to how people are able to reduce down their reliance on single-use plastics as much as possible,” he said. A study in 2018 showed that only 24.7% of household waste in Portsmouth was reused, recycled or composted.