A MINIMAL waste shop opened in Burley-in-Wharfedale on Saturday.

Waste Not sells loose dry food and liquid cleaner refills into customers own containers in a bid to reduce plastic waste. Alongside this, they sell alternatives to everyday plastic items, such as bamboo toothbrushes and reusable sandwich wraps.

Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers to refill in a bid to reduce the amount of single-use plastic.

Founder Charlotte Hawkins was compelled to take action after having two children and realising how much waste a small family can produce. She embarked on a journey to drastically reduce the family’s waste, but the biggest challenge was getting food without all the unnecessary plastic packaging. She decided to provide this much-needed service herself, and Waste Not was born.

It started with three pop-up shops which proved popular and the permanent shop is now open in the Grange in Burley-in- Wharfedale, on Tuesday afternoons, Thursday evenings, and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Charlotte said: "I’ve been overwhelmed with the response so far. It’s great just to get people talking about the issues and thinking about purchases they make.

"The turn out on Saturday was amazing, and I look forward to working with the local and zero waste community to reduce plastic consumption as much as possible.

"I want people to feel welcome in the shop, no matter where they are on their journey to minimal waste, or even if its something that they are interested in or new to – just come for a look around and see what a minimal waste shop looks like. "Any change (big or small) that you can make will make a difference, even switching to a reusable coffee cup or water bottle eliminates lots of waste over a year! Start changing the small things and see where it leads you!"

The opening day was also attended by Alfie Robot Retro, Easel and Thread and Vintage Beau, selling vintage homeware and clothing, and packaging free cards, pictures and homemade reusable bags.