When the pandemic put a stop to their wedding plans, Gabs and Dan swapped confetti for cleaning products. They used their savings to set up Green Pear Eco — a refill delivery service on a mission to cut waste in their local community. Fast forward a few years, they’re still delivering by van and have just opened their first shop: The Pear in Clare, right in the heart of Suffolk’s smallest town.
We caught up with them to talk van life, starting small, and what it means to build something circular from the ground up.
WHO ARE YOU?
Gabs and Dan. We run Green Pear Eco (delivery service) and The Pear in Clare, Suffolk.
HOW DID YOU WIND UP DOING WHAT YOU DO?
We went backpacking and it opened our eyes to the issue of plastic pollution across the world. Which led us down the rabbit hole of waste and how to reduce waste in our own lives.
When the pandemic hit, we decided to spend our wedding fund on setting up an online store and kitting out our refill van. Five years later we’ve just opened our first shop, and we’re still delivering from the van to our local community.
WHY IS THE PEAR IN CLARE A COOL PLACE TO BE?
We’re lucky to have a shop in Clare, Suffolk’s smallest town. Despite it’s size we have heaps of indie shops, cafes and a lush country park which makes it a great day out and place to visit.
IF YOU WEREN’T RUNNING GREEN PEAR ECO & THE PEAR IN CLARE WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
A pipe dream of ours is to own a cafe, flower-farm and refill store. Maybe setting something similar up!
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO REUSE?
We need a worldwide change on how we approach waste. We need to stop with a linea model of buy – use – throw away. As Fill says “lives don’t need more things, things need more lives”
WHAT DO YOU REFILL?
We refill a range of household items, from cleaning products to skincare and everything in between. These can be refilled in store or by your door.
In the store we also have a variety of food products from snacks to pantry staples, hot chocolate and olive oil. We’re expanding the range every week!
WHY FILL REFILL?
Because we love Fill’s ethos and the quality of the products, our customers love them both too!
COOLEST OTHER REFILLABLE?
Has to be the olive oil, we’ve found a small company that also works on a closed-loop system and makes sure the local wildlife is put first. It’s been one of the most popular products in store and they’re all round good eggs.
HOW DO YOU ESCAPE?
We like exploring and walking, gardening and travelling. Now we’re both working for ourselves, it’s important to carve out time to take the dog to the woods or spend time in the garden together. Any time in nature is time well spent.
BEST MOMENT
The first day we opened the shop. It’s been years of blood, sweat and tears with the refill van; standing at freezing cold markets and one of us always working a full time job alongside. So seeing all the hard work come together and having our first day of working together in the shop was an incredible feeling.
A VALUABLE LESSON
Hit the big corps, who don’t care about the environment, where it hurts. Support small and local instead. Indies like Fill and their stockists are making a difference.
RECOMMEND SOMETHING
Oooh Two Farmers crisps. Absolutely delicious, all grown/made in the UK and home compostable packaging. Why wouldn’t ya?
ONE PLACE WE SHOULD GO SEE
Clare in Suffolk. Come and see us, grab a coffee and a homemade sweet treat. Check out the independent shops and the country park. It’s a gorgeous town plus there’s a market every third Saturday.
WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION?
Honestly it was seeing how much damage we’re causing. Seeing first hand the impact discarded plastic was having on marine life was shocking, even though it might be a drop in the ocean we know we’re helping our local community.
THINGS YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT
Coffee, chocolate and our 11 year old greyhound, Alf.
LAST SONG YOU CHOSE TO LISTEN TO
Our first dance song…
