At The Green Woman, being plastic-free isn’t just a tick box—it’s a core part of our ethos.
From our zero-waste packaging to our Soil Association certification, we believe in doing business the way nature intended. But we also know real change happens when individuals, brands, and communities come together to challenge the status quo. That’s why, as we celebrate the end of Small Business Month, we want to shine a spotlight on one of our very first and most cherished stockists: Anything But Plastic (ABP).
Founded by the passionate and pioneering Jenny Derry, ABP has been a beacon for plastic-free alternatives since its earliest days—long before “sustainable” became a buzzword. Their online shop is a treasure trove of eco-friendly swaps for everyday essentials, and their mission is one we wholeheartedly stand behind.
We’re proud to have shared so much of our journey with ABP over the years. To mark this moment, we’re also sharing a look back at an interview our co-founder Eve did with Jenny in the early days of both our businesses. It’s inspiring to see how far we've all come—and how much these small, values-driven businesses can achieve.
An Interview with Jenny Derry, Founder of Anything But Plastic
What inspired you to start Anything But Plastic?
“I started ABP because I, like many others, was fed up with the rising amount of litter—especially plastic. I worked in retail at the time and saw firsthand how much unnecessary plastic came with every shipment. With time to reflect, I began thinking about real solutions—and the idea for Anything But Plastic was born.”
What can we do as consumers about single-use plastics?
“The fight against plastic isn’t over. We’ve seen progress, but real change is slow. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to slip back into convenience. That’s why things like Plastic-Free July are helpful—they gently nudge us to stay mindful. It’s also a great time to engage others: talk to your family, write to your favourite brands, push for better packaging, and lobby your local councils. Change happens when our voices are too loud to ignore.”
Why does it matter?
“There’s no longer any excuse. There are alternatives. But innovation in packaging needs to be matched by investment in infrastructure. Compostable bioplastics, for instance, often still end up in landfill because the right facilities don’t exist. We have to keep demanding better.”
Jenny’s mission is one we deeply admire—and it’s why we’ve trusted Anything But Plastic as a stockist for so many years.
They continue to make plastic-free living more accessible, and their work reminds us of the power of purpose-driven business. As we close out Small Business Month, we’re celebrating all the independent brands like ABP that are helping to build a cleaner, greener world.
