About Us
Zero Waste. Zero Effort.
Most of us want to live more sustainably. We want to reduce our impact on the planet, support local producers, and make thoughtful choices about what we buy. But in reality, busy schedules and tightening household budgets often get in the way. Convenience and affordability matter and sustainable shopping shouldn’t feel expensive, inconvenient, or out of reach.
The VanJarred Refillery was created to remove those Barriers.
Where it Began
I'm Alice, cofounder of The VanJarred along with my partner, Cedric. We are both scientists who met when working in Cambridge biotech start-ups.
I had the idea for The VanJarred Refillery when we began to lose the major Cambridge refill shops which I relied upon for the bulk of my shopping.
I was heavily invested in trying to live more sustainably: shopping at refill stores, buying locally, reducing waste wherever I could.
I saw first-hand how rewarding that lifestyle could be but also how inconvenient it sometimes felt as a busy professional.
While there are still excellent eco-retailers in the city, there was a clear gap for a single, accessible place offering a comprehensive range of food, household, and personal care refills.
With high commercial rents making a traditional shopfront increasingly difficult, I began exploring a more flexible alternative. A mobile refill shop felt practical, creative, and community-focused.
In our spare time, we converted a room in our home into a food-safe storage space and sourced a second-hand electric van, transforming it into a compact, high-capacity refill shop.
The van was designed and built in-house using predominantly reclaimed and second-hand materials. Sustainability guided every decision, from pre-loved equipment to repurposed containers.
We source much of our bulk refill products from ethical, British-owned, organic whole-sellers like Suma and Infinity. Where possible we support small Cambridge-based businesses like Cambridge Honeybees, Hot Numbers, Peichin's table, and Mulino's Cambridge. We are proud to be able to give customers convenient access to locally produced goods.
Building The VanJarred
Completed in September 2025, the van began trading at markets, food festivals, and business parks while I continued working part-time in biotech. By November, The VanJarred became a full-time venture, expanding to regular locations including Cambridge Station and Burwash Larder.
In March 2026, with some complicated website updates from Cedric, we launched our doorstep delivery service. This service comes directly from our ethos: zero waste, zero effort. With a few clicks online, you can order the exact weight or volume of the products you need. Then simply leave your containers outside and we'll fill them up! It's a truly zero waste delivery service :)