In her research, she learnt about zero-waste stores and began visiting them to find out more.
“I had many questions,” she recalls. “What is considered zero-waste? Is my mother’s practice of keeping many plastic bags in one big plastic bag considered recycling?”
The former business-management lecturer began making changes in her life, although she admits these shifts were not immediate.
“I gradually swapped daily-use items for more sustainable ones, such as bamboo toothbrushes and zinc alloy razors instead of disposables,” she recalls.
When the pandemic hit, and with no zero-waste stores in their area, Lee and her business partner Tan Pei Yen decided to take the bold step and start their own.
“We started by selling homemade kombucha online and offering RM1 cashback for each bottle returned to see if people were comfortable with this circular economy,” Lee tells FMT.
Today, Minimize, located in Subang Jaya, is equipped with all the daily essentials one needs to begin one’s zero-waste journey.
“The goal behind Minimize is to inspire change and foster conversations to educate people about this lifestyle and our impact as consumers,” Lee explains.
With the opening of their physical store in October, she and Tan began selling detergents, sanitisers, personal hygiene liquids, and bulk-food items such as salt, sugar, flour, dried noodles, herbs and cereal.
They have since grown to include local brands that share the same goal. “Being a small business, we want to support other small businesses and have collaborated with many.”
Minimize now also sells bamboo and metal cutlery, bamboo toothbrushes and cotton buds, and reusable sanitary products, which are their bestsellers.
In addition, they sell miscellaneous reusable household items, from cleaning tools made of bamboo and wood to silicone containers and even bamboo toilet rolls.
Customers can bring their own containers and fill them with the goods they desire. These containers will then be tared, and the items weighed and priced.
If, however, you forget to bring your own containers, do not worry as Minimize provides empty ones for free. They are also happy to accept containers to be reused in the store.
Furthermore, Minimize accepts used cooking oil as it collaborates with a company that converts it into biodiesel.
“We also have a pet corner that offers dehydrated and freeze-dried treats, which has become very popular with our customers,” Lee adds.
For those who are new to the world of zero waste, Lee and Tan are ever ready to share their knowledge.
“Changing to a zero-waste lifestyle is all about your mindset. It does require some planning but, in the end, you realise you are saving more and there is less wastage,” Lee points out.
She adds that they have received support from other members of the zero-waste community, including entrepreneurs. “Even though we are running the same business, I have never felt any competition.”
When the Covid situation improves, they hope to host customers in their store to share ideas, engage in talks, and participate in workshops on activities such as soap-making, composting, and making kombucha.
In the meantime, head on over to Minimize to begin your zero-waste journey, and don’t forget to BYOC – bring your own containers!
To learn more, check out Minimize’s website and Instagram profile.
Minimize Zero Waste Store
104, Jalan SS14/1,
SS14, 47500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor
Business hours: 11am-6.30pm (weekdays except Tuesdays)
10am-6.30pm (Saturdays and Sundays)