Harleston business owners Laura and Simon Marjoram, who run Allthingsgreener at 12 Church Street, believe they can offer solutions.

Their shop opened last December and is already proving a ‘Mecca’ for environmentally-conscious shoppers looking for everything from energy-efficient lightbulbs and degradeable bin and freezer bags, to environmentally-friendly cleaning and beauty products and even products made from recycled animal droppings.

The idea for the business was originally borne out of the couple’s strong belief in environmental sustainability and also a personal wish to work closer to home and spend more time with their young son.

Mrs Marjoram said: “I used to work full-time in Norwich as an accountant. Simon is a self-employed electrician and he looked after our son until he went to school. Then Simon started to build up his business again.”

It was Mr Marjoram’s involvement in a barn conversion at Saxlingham Nethergate that triggered his deep interest in all things eco-friendly.

He said: “The barn was off-grid, so the owners wanted to install micro-generation systems such as a small-scale wind turbine, solar panels and woodpellet boilers.

“I found myself doing more and more research on different products and methods, and we decided it would be good for me to use that knowledge, so we came up with the idea of opening a green shop.”

Originally Mr Marjoram intended to focus on helping builders or householders with projects for more environmental builds.

“But the business has developed because first of all there was a slowdown in the building industry, and that has been followed by rising electricity prices,” he said. “So because of the change in the economy, we have slightly changed our direction and the items we sell in the shop have evolved.”

The couple concentrate on organic and environmentally-friendly products or items that help reduce energy use or are recyclable or degradeable.

Allthingsgreener is one of the few outlets that offers Ecover refills for customers to take their empty bottles into the shop and get them refilled, thus reducing the amount of plastic going to landfill.

Other products include rainwater harvesting buckets and butts, solar LED lighting, energy-efficient lightbulbs, recycled paper kitchen towels, degradeable chemical-free nappies, organic soaps and hair products for sensitive skins, Eco kettles, Ecozone dryer balls for tumble dryers, earth-friendly bathroom products and baby wipes and Ecover floor cleaners, kitchen cleaners and washing liquids.