Here’s Help for Living a Zero Waste Life

Lyndsey Manderson displays some of the products available at the market.

“A zero-waste life is a journey.” Using a general store/apothecary model, ZERO market carries out their mission by educating customers and offering a wide variety of vegan, organic, reusable and locally made products designed to promote a zero-waste lifestyle.

Customers can purchase items that are natural, biodegradable and compostable, including custom blends of products ranging from skincare to tea. Empty containers can be refilled at the market’s back counter.

Customers will find both daily essentials and gift items in the herb-scented shop at Stanley Marketplace. “Our family decided to try a zero-waste lifestyle about four years ago,” says Lyndsey Manderson, co-owner of the shop with her husband, Jesse. “It quickly became a passion we wanted to share.”

Operating a pop-up shop at The Source in RiNo, the couple established a loyal customer base. “We were approached about opening a permanent space at the Stanley Marketplace when it was in the planning phase. Our customers really stuck with us as we waited to open and they’re as excited as we are to be here now.”

Both partners work full time in addition to raising their two children and running the market. Lyndsey is a middle-school teacher and Jesse is an operations manager at a local company. “We divide our time to make sure we’re here to serve our customers,” explains Lyndsey. “Eventually, we will transition to working at the market full time, but our jobs have allowed us to finance our dream.”

Customers can purchase reusable containers—or they can bring in an empty container to fill. A refill station is located behind the counter and customers can watch while the owners concoct and mix custom solutions. Each product is hand labeled and refillable. Kegs of kombucha, a fermented tea with probiotic benefits, can be purchased in any amount from a growler to a small cup. Samples of rotating flavors, like hibiscus lemon ginger and cranberry lavender are always available.

Providing customer education is a cornerstone at ZERO market. “We envisioned a one-stop shop to get people excited about healthier alternatives without the waste of plastic packaging.” With people looking for ways to cut costs and enjoy products that are toxin-free, the market reaches out to make the zero-waste lifestyle sustainable and affordable for everyone. Instructional workshops teach customers how to make the things they use every day for a fraction of the cost they currently pay. “We carry the ingredients needed to make laundry detergent, lip balm and skin care products targeted to our customers’ specific needs and we can accommodate just about any request,” Lyndsey notes. With almost endless possibilities to what can be made at home, the market buys ingredients in bulk and passes the savings on.

A calendar of workshops is available in the store and online. For $20 to $40, depending on the workshop, customers receive a container and all of the ingredients they need to create a finished product. Lyndsey points out that workshop fees are charged on a sliding scale. “We want everyone to feel welcome to participate and pay what they can afford.”

To learn more about the ZERO market and for a listing of workshops and classes, visit www.thezeromarket.com.