A WOKINGHAM zero waste store recently celebrated four years of positive sustainable change, with bubbles and cake.
Maya’s Refillables in Peach Place has been transforming the way people – and businesses – shop for cleaning materials, bath and shampoo products, food items, and a growing list of household necessities since 2022.
Maya had already been trading for three years from a stall in Wokingham’s Market Place prior to opening her store four years ago.
The public’s response to her refillable goods was so positive that it wasn’t long before she was able to transfer the business from stall to store.
Maya’s Refillables has grown from strength to strength, something which Maya and her team celebrated at their birthday celebration.
“It’s unbelievable that we’ve been here in the shop for longer now than we were in the market,” she said.
“It’s such a wonderful adventure, and the team is growing – it feels like another year in Paradise.”
When it first opened, Maya says, the shop felt a little empty.
Now its shelves are brimming with more than 400 different products.
“We’re constantly adding to the range,” she said.
“A recent favourite of mine is oatmilk powder, which allows people to make up their own oatmilk, minus the packaging.
“ A lot of people now drink plant-based milk, and this is a really great way to avoid the use of all those containers and boxes.”
Another of Maya’s favourites is the store’s Dragonfruit Bodywash.
“It smells wonderful,” she said.
“It always makes me feel that it’s summertime – even in the winter.
“And the natural refillable deodorants are great too.”
Pointing out the food items, there is one in particular that she finds hard to resist.
“The dried mango strips are delicious,” she said.
“I could eat the entire box if I wasn’t careful.”
Visiting the Wokingham store on its birthday was Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Lou Timlin.
She said: “I love that Maya started her business in Wokingham Market, and that she managed to thrive even through the pandemic, with her website sales and deliveries.
“I also love that this is a female-led business and that it’s sustainable.
“Maya has built up a loyal crowd of customers over the past four years, who will hopefully continue to support her through the next four as well.
“This is just the kind of business we want in Wokingham.
It’s local, it’s sustainable, it’s fantastic!”
Maya’s latest exciting news is that her store is about to grow even more.
Yately shoppers will also soon be able to buy sustainable products from a new Mini Maya’s at Discoveries Community Shop, St Peter’s Church, The Green.
For information, visit: mayasrefillables.com
