The Eco Larder is selling fresh and dry food and other household products that help people reduce the amount of plastic they use

Edinburgh's first zero waste supermarket The Eco Larder has officially open in Edinburgh following a £5000 Start It award from social enterprise development agency, Firstport.

Matthew Foulds, co-founder of The Eco Larder, was one of 11 social entrepreneurs to receive a share of £54,000 funding in this latest round. The grants, designed to support individuals to cover essential start-up costs, were awarded as part of the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

The zero waste movement encourages the redesign, recycling and reuse of materials and products, in order to limit the amount of rubbish sent to landfill, for incineration or in the ocean.

Matthew and his wife Stephanie (pictured above with Stephanie's mother Ingrid and the couple's daughter Jasmine) decided to set up the Eco Larder in early 2018, in an attempt to make it easier for Edinburgh residents to reduce their plastic waste footprint. The shop is dedicated to being totally package-free.

Following the Start It grant, and a successful crowdfunding campaign, The Eco Larder has secured a premises in Haymarket and is ready to serve the Edinburgh community.

Matthew said: “Through our fully dedicated zero waste, plastic and package free mini supermarket, our aim is to reduce plastic waste filling up our oceans and to create a greener planet. Firstport and the Start It grant have been fundamental to us achieving our target of opening in 2018. We can't wait to open our doors and to give the Edinburgh community the choice of reducing its plastic footprint, speeding up the change that needs to happen for our future.”

Matthew was one of 11 individuals from across Scotland to share a total of £54,224 grant funding as part of this latest round of Start It awards, delivered by Firstport.

Josiah Lockhart, chief executive of Firstport, said: “Public awareness of the environmental issues caused by plastic pollution is on the rise. Not surprisingly, we’re seeing a growing number of individuals looking at social enterprise as a sustainable route to tackle the problem. From zero waste shops, to sustainable growing projects, to reusable sanitary pads, these start-up businesses are paving the way for change – and we’re delighted to be supporting them.”

Eco Larder is a not for profit Social Enterprise. It is selling food that doesn't come in plastic packaging, fresh veg and has a laundry refill station. It aims to help change the way Edinburgh residents shop.