A group of students have set up a zero-waste store offering sustainable beauty solutions to the population of Manchester.
Located on The University of Manchester’s campus on Oxford Road, Want Not Waste is the city’s first student-run, plastic-free shop – selling a variety of ethical products that can be refilled, reused and recycled.
The aim of the project is to make ‘sustainable’ lifestyles more affordable and accessible for Mancunian students – as well as encouraging them to become environmentally conscious in their beauty routines.
A wide variety of eco toiletries are up for sale – including shampoo and conditioner bars from Manchester start-up Grüum, natural deodorants and handmade feminine hygiene products.
Want Not Waste even sell handmade soap made by a psychology student.
“We have a focus on local products and small businesses/student enterprises, which means our shelves are always changing as students come and go,” a spokesperson for the store stated.
“We’re not for profit, and this allows us to provide more accessible prices and support smaller businesses who may have higher up-front costs.”
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Alongside sustainable beauty products, Want Not Waste also offers cosmetics recycling (to avoid these pesky products going into landfill) as well as dried goods, cleaning products, and a new line of upcycled clothing and jewellery from Junk to Funk.
“As part of Terracycle we accept any brand of makeup packaging that cannot go into kerbside recycling,” said the team.
“This includes flexible tubes, mascara wands, lipstick and concealer sticks, compacts, and face wipe packaging.”
Like everyone else, the Want Not Waste team have been forced to adapt during lockdown – hosting a variety of online workshops, upcycling events and even a blog to reach as many people as possible.
“For the most part, we’re just happy that the shop is surviving and thriving still in the pandemic, not just for the volunteers, but for the customers and our online community,” said the team.
“We’re planning some online events for the new year, including a potential collaboration with The Closet.”
Want Not Waste is based next to the University of Manchester’s Students Union on Oxford Road, M13 9PR.
You can keep up-to-date with their latest sustainable ventures via their Facebook page.
Style
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Daisy Bradbury -
6th December 2020 
