Five Minutes With: Vishal Jain, ViMi Zero Waste Lifestyle

ViMi are here to guide us on our plastic-free, zero-waste journeys! Their Spitalfields Market stall sells everyday lifestyle products to replace the need for the single-use plastic alternatives that we have become accustomed to. We sat down with founder, Vishal to talk about the problem with plastic and his advice for single-use alternatives.

What inspired you to start ViMi?

In my previous career, I had been selling plastic products for almost a decade and didn’t realise the negative impact it had on the planet. I left my old job for a change and to make a real difference. A discussion with a friend about new year resolutions over Christmas Dinner was the inception of ViMi. My friend’s New Year resolution was to reduce plastic waste – this really struck me. I further read a lot about it in the media and was shocked and ashamed.

That’s when I decided to start ViMi, to offer a sustainable solution and share my new knowledge about living Plastic Free and Zero Waste. Since that Festive time, I have made a conscious shift in my lifestyle and still doing. ViMi also gives me the source of satisfaction to offset my own plastic footprint.

Which of your products would you recommend to someone just starting their journey into a zero-waste lifestyle?

A few small personal changes can make a huge difference, starting with the plastic items that we use every day, often without realising. I’d recommend the following four products to help reduce unnecessary single-use packaging waste:

• Reusable Water Bottle – more and more filling stations are available across town.
• Reusable Coffee Cup – the majority of coffee shops now offer discounts for bringing your own reusable cup.
• Reusable Cutlery – keep a set in your bag and at work, avoid picking up plastic cutlery on-the-go.
• Reusable Carrier Bag – take a reusable tote bag every time you go shopping.
• Bamboo toothbrush – stop buying plastic toothbrushes that ultimately end up polluting the sea.

Do you have any advice about going plastic-free?

If you consider Consciousness before Comfort, you will find adopting Zero Waste Lifestyle easy.

How important is it that we move away from single-use plastic?

I believe, it should be us as human’s top priority and moral duty to move away from any kind of plastic or anything that can stay forever on the planet and affects other species, our environment and the ecological system.

If you could ban one single-use plastic item forever, which would it be and why?

Plastic Packaging used to pack food and groceries, because there is such a mass of plastic waste created from grocery shopping and it is so easily avoidable.

What are your most popular products?

Bamboo Toothbrushes, Beeswax Wraps, Reusable Bottles and Coffee Cups.

Why did you choose to start selling at Spitalfields Market?

I chose Spitalfields because along with local visitors, I get to meet people from different parts of the world as well. This enables me to spread awareness of the plastic crisis locally and globally.

What do you love most about Spitalfields Market?

The positive vibe is what I love the most about trading at Spitalfields. I enjoy talking to visitors who are from diverse backgrounds and find that they also want the change I am trying to promote. I also find fellow traders and management encouraging and supportive.