Sustainable alternatives launched at Central England Co-op

Central England Co-op will be introducing healthy and sustainable alternatives for customers in 2022.

Among the independent suppliers being rolled out across 16 counties is Nuud plastic-free gum, Drop Bear Beer Co and Naughty Water Boozy Seltzer.

As seen on BBC’s Dragons Den, Nuud plastic-free gum is also plant-based, biodegradable and naturally sugar-free. Its available in two flavours, peppermint and spearmint and the products have been launched across all 260 stores.

Nuud gum

Founder of Nuud Gum, Keir Carnie, said he was “over the moon” to partner with Central England Co-op as he offers an alternative gum to regular chewing gum that he says contains as much single-use plastic as a drinking straw in just one piece.

He said: “As people become more aware of how much single-use plastic they use and the impact that has on the environment, it is still not often recognised that regular chewing gum contains plastic – in fact, 100,000 tons of plastic is chewed every year in the UK.

“You also have the knock-on littering impact with 95% of pavements in the UK having plastic gum stuck to them. Nuud gum uses a sustainably harvested tree sap called Chicle as our gum base. It’s this natural ingredient that makes our gum plastic-free and biodegradable.”

Also in 222 stores across the country is a range of 0.5% ABV craft beers from Drop Bear Beer Co. The company say it is committed to introducing sustainable measures and a B Corp and have taken the Green Growth Pledge and Equality Pledge.

The Drop Bear low alcohol beer range

Joelle Drummond, director of sales and marketing and co-founder of Drop Bear Beer Co said: “Just like us at Drop Bear, Central England Co-op has always placed importance on using their business as a force for good, working hard to create positive impacts on local communities and the environment. With such strongly aligned values, it’s the perfect supplier-stockist partnership.”

Across all Central England Co-op stores, Naughty Water Boozer Seltzers is being launched, a low calorie, vegan and gluten-free option for drivers.

Co-founder Charlie Brake, said: “Naughty Water is low calorie (only 72kcals per can) so it can be enjoyed by almost everyone, particularly the more health-conscious individual who wants to drink alcohol but doesn’t want to consume any hidden nasties.

“We’re vegan, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and we are very much environmentally conscious; we only use recycled aluminium cans.”

Central England Co-op operates across East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Gary Berns, head of ambient trading at Central England Co-op, said: “We continually strive to offer our customers and members varied and distinctive ranges, as well as supporting local, independent businesses which produce quality, carefully crafted products.

“We are delighted to work with businesses which not only provide great alternatives for our shoppers but which also share common values with ourselves around sustainability and concern for the environment.”