Moray and Banffshire's Green Hero reflects on what it meant to be rewarded for environmentally friendly efforts

AN innovative shopkeeper who has worked tirelessly to help local people reduce their plastic use has reflected on how it felt to be named Green Hero of the Year at the annual Moray and Banffshire heroes awards last year.

Alison Ruickbie opened Re:Store in Lossiemouth in 2019 and has helped local people reduce their waste through her environmentally concious shop. The Re:store provides a sustainable shopping experience, which encourages reusing and refilling containers and stocks food products, along with a wide range of cleaning and beauty products.

Since winning the award last year, Alison said: "I was really humbled to even be nominated because I had never thought of myself that way at all.

"It was the last thing I expected but it was a really nice surprise. It was so amazing to win, but as I have always said – the people who shop with me are the real green heroes, I just provide them with that platform."

The person who nominated Alison praised her efforts in creating an award-winning sustainable living shop, which has attracted shoppers from across Moray.

Alison is also a big supporter of the Just One Bottle campaign, which focuses on reusing plastic bottles to avoid them going to landfill.

She said: "If every single family in the UK refilled one bottle, imagine how many bottles wouldn't go into the landfill – lots of people doing little things can have a big impact.

With the approach of the 2024 Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards, Alison was also keen to point out the positive effect of the awards recognition.

She said: "As a result of the awards night, last year's sponsor of the Green Hero award, Springfield, contacted me afterwards and asked for tips they could use to be environmentally friendly.

"I ended up providing a big email back of all the different things I could think of that could help a company or business to be more environmentally friendly and that came off the back of me getting the award and them being the sponsor.

"It was really good and that's all it takes – just one person to ask what they can do to make a difference.

"From my point of view, that is why its so important.

"The award helps to raise awareness and recognises those unsung people who go out there and make a difference ."

The Green Hero Award is being sponsored by Springfield Properties.

Nominations have now opened for 2024's Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards.

Send your nominations by clicking here or visiting: www.hnmedia.co.uk/morayheroes.