A Banff greengrocer who opened her store to sell produce without using plastic has turned to pedal power to continue her eco-friendly mission.
Oliveira’s, on High Street, sells locally grown and sourced food with either no packaging or in wrappers which be reused or recycled.
Now the shop has been loaned an electric cargo bike to make deliveries, adding to its green credentials.
The environmentally-friendly bike, owned by Aberdeenshire Council’s transport and sustainability team, can travel up to 30 miles when fully charged.
Shop founder Catherine Henriques de Oliveira is delighted to use the kit to help being awareness of environmental issues to the people of Banff and Macduff.
She said: “What better way to ‘practice what we preach’ than doing our local deliveries by bike?
“It will also allow us to be seen in the local community and perhaps make people consider the way their choices impact the environment on both a local and global scale.
“Furthermore, I believe the delivery service will be very popular.
“Many people in the community struggle with various ailments and may not be able to manage heavier items while walking or taking the bus.
“Having this service is a further incentive to buy produce more economically, locally and reduce wastage.”
Charged in the same way as electric cars are, the bike was half funded for the council by the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places scheme run by Paths for All – a Scottish Government initiative that aims to provide sustainable transport.
Infrastructure services committee chairman Peter Argyle said: “One of our council priorities is to protect our special environment, including tackling climate change by reducing greenhouse emissions, so I am delighted to see that local businesses are working with us to help meet this aim.”
Councillor Glen Reynolds felt the bike would only help the good produce and customer service Oliveira’s offers.
He said: “This innovative venture is not simply about a local greengrocer using an eco-friendly bike to make deliveries.
“It is a symbol of taking action over unnecessary use of plastics in what we buy and distribution of a product in an area that respects the impact of climate change and doing something about it.”
Aberdeenshire Council is loaning the bike to businesses for free for up to six months. To find out more email transportationstrategy@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
