A COUPLE hope their passion for a plastic-free environment will ensure success for their recently-opened business in Cardigan.

Jerry and Tania Rees have launched their zero waste Happy Planet Green Stores at Pendre to operate alongside a similar shop they already run at Narberth.

“We moved to be near the sea but when we were walking on the beach we saw how much rubbish, especially single-use plastic, was being washed up,” said Jerry.

“We try to live a plastic-free lifestyle and it was so difficult. We thought if we were finding it tough then everyone else was and the idea behind the business is to bring everything under one roof.

“Everything we use is recycled. We get biodegradable packing, collect it and send it back via courier to a specialist facility where it is recycled responsibly.”

The couple decided to open the shop in Cardigan after people travelled to their Narberth business from this area.

“By travelling all that distance, they were undoing their good intentions so we decided to give it a go in Cardigan,” said Jenny.

“We have such a passion for what we do and what we believe in and want to offer the service to as many people as possible.

“We don’t want to push this on to everyone but what people are starting to realise is that you don’t have to do it all at once. If you buy a product in a paper bag, that’s one plastic bag less.

“We can all make small changes to how we live and that can add up to a big impact but it is not going to happen overnight.”

The shop sells everything from kitchen cupboard staples like pasta, rice, beans and pulses to bamboo toothbrushes and eco-friendly household liquids.

You are able to bring your own container to refill or you can use the shop’s recycled paper bags.

Organically grown fruit and vegetables are also available, while the shop also operates a call and collect service to save people time.