The Cut Back is a social enterprise business which includes a shop where you can buy all of your goods without plastic and unnecessary packaging. It will also house a community space with a cafe where workshops will be held. The overall goal for the business is to support the local community with the fight against climate change. I have a venue for this, but it needs a lot of work and equipment. I am accessing funding from the council and a business loan but I also need your help as a community to get this off the ground.

My name is Tracy Reeve, I have always loved the outdoors, from hiking and paddle boarding to wild swimming, nature has always been a healing balm, helping me to gain some perspective and clear my mind. I have worked with organisations such as Eco schools and the WWF, supporting ecological initiatives and raising awareness of environmental issues.

Now the planet that we call home, the natural environment that we all love, is in grave danger. On May 1st 2019, The British Government became one of many Countries who have declared a Climate Emergency. We are all now seeing the changes to our planet. From our weather systems with severe heatwaves and destructive flooding to rising sea levels, eroding coastlines. Things are going to get a lot worse, especially for our children and future generations, unless we do something now! 

“We are at a unique stage in our history. Never before have we had such an awareness of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about that. Surely we all have a responsibility to care for our Blue Planet. The future of humanity and indeed, all life on earth, now depends on us.” Sir David Attenborough

With my work an ambassador for the World Wildlife Federation, I promoted the Earth Hour event that happens annually in March worldwide. It was a huge inspiration to see so many people from all walks of life coming together to fight for the survival of our planet. Just like with the recent Corona virus lock down, I saw how incredible that solidarity can be and what it can achieve.

Saving the Earth is now more important than ever, with a recent UN report warning that we have until 2030, only TEN YEARS away, to keep its temperature to the current level of 1.5C and stop climate change in its tracks. As The Independent explains, if we don’t halve our greenhouse gas emissions by then, we will lose every coral reef and all of the Arctic ice in the world. Droughts and other natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tsunamis, will also become more prevalent, causing devastation for an increasing amount of people.

We've all seen the lack of effort on behalf of the Government and large organisations. This planet belongs to us all and there is something that we can all do. Every small change can make a huge difference.

I am going to create a space within the Saltburn community where you can come and buy a wide range of products such as food, tea, coffee, beauty products and toys....all without the senseless amount of, mostly un-recyclable plastic. With a great many of the products available loose for you to decant into your own containers.
Based on my recent survey (posted on local social media and filled in by almost 400 respondents!! Which was amazing!!) I am intending to prioritise the ethical values of products based on the following criterion...

1st No plastic

2nd No packaging, or as little as possible

3rd Minimum food/product miles

4th Organic

5th Chemical and GM free

6th Fairtrade and Rainforest alliance certified 

So I do all the research for you, you can shop at The Cut Back safely with the knowledge that everything you buy has sustainability at its heart!

The Cut Back won’t be just any ordinary Zero waste shop though. It will be a 'not for profit' social enterprise (a Community interest company).  It can be difficult sometimes, to know what we can do as individuals and as a community to help the environment. At The Cut Back you will be able to find out where you can begin to make some small but effective changes in your life to reduce your own carbon footprint. There will be a safe space where anybody can find out more about local environmental initiatives, and how you can get involved. I am liaising with local groups such as Nick Nobel and Simon Palmer the local representatives for ‘Surfers against sewage’, The Teeside branch of Extinction rebellion, The Marine conservation society and the team behind the Beachwatch beach cleans. I will be donating from my profits, money and equipment support these local initiatives, initiatives that help save our local environment as well as our planet.

I will also be running and hosting guest workshops In an array of subject areas from environmental art to upcycling and repairing clothes. I will be using my profits to provide the workshops at a subsidised, or zero cost. It will be a great opportunity to create connections with those pockets of the community that are more isolated than others and to show that we are all in this together and we can all make a real difference.I plan, in the future, to be able to serve a few vegan biscuits and cakes with a cuppa and somewhere cosy and warm to sit too.

To create all this I need YOUR help!

Please Join us and be a part of this exciting project. I am looking for donations to help pay for equipment, shop fittings and stock to get started. 

I will be taking out a business loan and also applying for some funding from Redcar and Cleveland Council to help with the set up and to get the building ready. I also hope to qualify for a generous grant of £5,000 from the Natwest bank and their 'Back her business' scheme which aims to help address the gender balance in the business world. 

Check our the rewards that are on offer in exchange for your generous donations they will help to pay for the following:

Point of sale system £900

Food dispensers £3500

Fixtures and fittings £6000

Stock £5000

Digital scales for customer self weigh and at the point of sale system £2000

Building refurbishment £12000

Lighting & Security £1000

The name of everybody who supports this campaign will be added to a unique piece of art work which will be displayed in the shop as a sign of our gratitude.

Our planet need our help and together we can start to make a real difference.

Please share this crowdfunder with everyone you know and don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions that you may have.

hello@thecutback.co.uk

Thank you so much for your support! You are amazing!