Retailer Asda is pushing forward with its sustainability credentials - having added over 50 new refill lines to its flagship sustainability store in Middleton, Leeds.
This means you can now get top brands like Coca-Cola, Yorkshire Tea, Napolina, Tilda, Mars pet food and Kellogg’s on refill for the first time ever.
The move from Asda is actually huge given that this is the first time that such leading brands have engaged with such a trial.
ASDA in Middleton, Leeds is the first store of its kind to stock these key brands in its refill section / Image: groceryinsight
As well as being great for the sustainably-minded shoppers of Leeds, it will also hopefully shape the tone for how supermarkets can look to reduce plastic waste and unnecessary product packaging going forward.
Going forward, you'll be able to pick up pre-filled one-litre glass bottles of Coca-Cola Original Taste and Zero Sugar, as well as popular Mars pet food brands like Whiskas, Chappie and Pedigree.
“We have always said that working in partnership with other like-minded businesses will be vital if we are to persuade people to shop more sustainably," said Susan Thomas, Asda's commercial sustainability director.
The store's refill zone now boasts a total of 76 different products / Image: ASDA
“We are very pleased to secure the backing of some of the UK’s most recognisable consumer brands, which means we can offer customers even more of their favourite products in refillable format.”
The new store in Middleton is the first of its kind from Asda and is focused on helping to reduce waste.
The refill zone now boasts a total of 76 different products and puts a real focus on sustainability alongside waste reduction, in particular in its clothing section.
As well as a large refill and reuse section, the store also features a recycling hub, clothing section, a hot food area with option to takeaway, plus non-food, packaged foods, produce and a floral section.
To date, it's understood that since its initial launch in October the refill zone has led to larger sales - with many people option to buy more in the refillable section than they would in traditional packaging.
Given that Leeds has a large number of sustainable and zero waste stores, we hope this is just the beginning.
Feature image - PA.
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Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
27th July 2021 
