AN ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly business has opened its doors in Romsey.

Lemon & Jinja located in the Basepoint Centre on Abbey Park Industrial Estate has been opened by budding eco entrepreneur Jess Dugdale.

The store sells dried fruit, herbs, toiletries and house hold amenities and claims to be the first zero waste shop to open in the area.

Customers can bring their own containers to use or can buy refillable containers and bottles in store to take home their items.

Jess who set up the shop said: “The procedure is simple: weigh, fill, and pay.”

When asked why she set up the business Jess replied: “I have always been environmentally conscious and I wanted to do something to help the local area.

“Not only will customers be reducing their plastic waste, but the method of weighing the food that they buy also will make them aware of how much food they are buying and therefore wasting.”

Jess said that the focus of the store is “refill not landfill.”

The 24-year-old who has previously worked in Rhino Conservation in Uganda said: “Making changes in our shopping habits to reduce plastic waste is easily possible and easily within our reach, everyone can make a difference.”

Jess described setting up the shop as “incredible.”

She said: “I have been overwhelmed with support and the opening day was heaving.

“It is getting busier and busier.”

The business is set to have an official opening celebration in the near future and Jess said she also has plans to to start selling fresh food and open up a small cafe selling tea, coffee and snacks.