We chatted to the team about how it came to be.
Sustainable living has been a hot topic as of late, with many people being more environmentally conscious about what things they buy, consume and throw out. We spoke to a family business who have just launched a super cool new concept to promote a low impact lifestyle: ReRoot.
“ReRoot is a zero waste and low impact lifestyle store selling a range of homeware and kitchen essentials, beauty products, toiletries, cleaning products and some dry food essentials that either eliminate or reduce the unnecessary waste usually associated with these products,” their Facebook page states, but after chatting with the team, we got down to the roots (no pun intended) of the concept.
The brother, sister and husband team are looking to make a positive difference in this world. Christina and Paul are all about their love for nature and protecting this delicate ecosystem. Equally, Jean Paul is the mountain loving brother that loves nothing more than starting up random conversations with practically anyone, so you’ve been warned!
First off – why the name ReRoot?
One thing that totally struck us was the name of the store. “We had numerous debates on the name of the store, however we chose ReRoot for a couple of reasons,” they say. “The word ‘root’ stands for the delicate ecosystem and natural world that we need to protect and are trying to protect.”
“Plastic waste is a real issue around the world and, specifically, in Malta. In fact, a report published by the European Environment Agency earlier this year named Malta as one of Europe’s worst performers in reducing plastic waste. Plastic is unfortunately designed to last, with a plastic water bottle having a shocking 450-year lifespan! With approximately 75 per cent of water bottles not being recycled, many end up in landfills or worse, the ocean. We want to get to the root of this crisis by eliminating unnecessary waste and single use plastic from our households. ‘Root’ is also a play on words for ‘route’ since we’re here to help re-route daily habits into positive changes and routines.”
Where it all began
“Working abroad and travelling opened our eyes to the ongoing environmental crisis. While we all have very different backgrounds, we have one goal in common: to create a greener and cleaner world,” they share.
“Our mantra is ‘no difference made is too small’; ReRoot was born from this belief that anyone has the ability to make a difference, no matter how small the change is – whether its refusing plastic bags at the supermarket, committing to go meat free during the week, or taking a packed lunch to work to avoid buying a takeaway meal that will be packed in plastic. These little changes are collectively helping to safeguard our precious environment. We want ReRoot is become a safe space for anyone looking out for ethical and eco-products that will allow them to make these small changes.
“In the words of Anne Marie Bonneau, a zero waste food blogger: ‘We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions doing it imperfectly’,” they continue. “Our varied backgrounds and wacky ideas somehow worked and allowed us to build a business that we are proud to call our own. This is just the beginning with plenty more ideas and plans in the works.”
What is ReRoot?
“ReRoot is a zero waste and low impact lifestyle store. What this means is that all the products in the store offer reduced or no waste options for products that we use on a daily basis from cleaning products to award winning vegan cosmetics and kitchen accessories.”
“We have carefully hand-picked all the brands we work with because we believe in their ethical purpose, products and business ethos. Each brand is working towards the same goals as us: to create a greener and cleaner world, which is importantly reflected in their overall business operations and products.”
“We want to help the local community understand that small incremental changes do make a difference. We know that it can be overwhelming when you first realize your impact on the environment; this realization coupled with very drastic and sudden changes can - in most cases - lead to people giving up. We’ve all been in this situation (and still have these moments)! We’re here to offer sustainable alternatives to help you along your journey – at any stage.”
Aren’t they totally cool? ReRoot is there to help every environmentally conscious shopper and can be found just two doors down from Maypole in Iklin on Geronimo Abos Street.