Founding Story: What inspired you and Jake to launch Surplush, and how did your experience on the Mesoamerican Reef shape your approach to sustainability?

After spending five years working as a scuba diving instructor on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest reef in the world—I saw firsthand the devastating effects ofsur coral bleaching. Rising sea temperatures, climbing from 29°C to 32°C, wiped out large sections of the reef right before my eyes. Watching once vibrant coral turn lifeless and grey sparked a deep concern in me for environmental sustainability.

When I returned to England, I knew I had to do something that made a difference, not just for the environment but for the community. That’s when I teamed up with my high school friend Jake to create Surplush. Originally, we started as a fresh produce delivery service from Norwich Market, but as we grew, we realised the bigger opportunity was in sustainable business supplies. Our focus has always been on helping businesses reduce their environmental impact while cutting costs, a win-win for both the planet and our customers.

Sustainable Delivery: Can you explain how your e-cargo bike delivery system works and what impact it’s had on reducing carbon emissions in Norwich?

Sustainability is at the core of Surplush’s ethos. That’s why we use e-cargo bikes for all local deliveries in Norwich. This system eliminates 99.88% of carbon emissions compared to traditional HGV deliveries, making a tangible difference in reducing urban air pollution and congestion. Not only is this an eco-friendly solution, but it also allows us to navigate Norwich’s medieval streets efficiently, ensuring fast and reliable next-day delivery for our customers.

Supporting Local Businesses: How does Surplush help businesses in Norwich and Norfolk save money while transitioning to more sustainable supplies?

Surplush operates as a buyers’ club with a difference. We leverage bulk purchasing to secure the best prices on essential business supplies like takeaway packaging, cleaning products, and blue roll. By passing these savings on to our customers, we help them cut costs without sacrificing quality or sustainability. Our model is designed to make it easy for businesses to switch to greener alternatives without breaking the bank.

The Carbon Tracker: How does your new carbon tracking feature work, and what kind of feedback have you received from businesses so far?

We recently introduced a carbon tracker that allows businesses to monitor their emissions savings when using Surplush. Every order delivered by e-cargo bike contributes to reducing their carbon footprint, and now they can see exactly how much they’ve saved. As businesses progress through different levels based on their carbon savings, they unlock exclusive discounts and perks. So far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, businesses love the transparency and the added incentive to make more sustainable choices.

Community & Collaboration: Why is community central to your brand ethos, and can you share any examples of how Surplush supports or partners with the local community?

Community is a key driver for Surplush. We don’t just deliver supplies, we actively support the businesses we work with. By reducing costs through bulk purchasing and providing eco-friendly alternatives, we help local businesses thrive. We also collaborate with Norwich BID to support sustainability initiatives in the city and work with local partners to promote green business practices.

Looking Ahead: What are your plans for the future—any upcoming expansions, innovations, or goals for 2025 and beyond?

Our goal for 2025 and beyond is to scale Surplush even further while staying true to our sustainability-first approach. We’re looking at expanding our product range and growing our Buyers Club to include even more businesses. Additionally, we’re exploring ways to further automate the carbon tracking feature to make it even easier for businesses to see their impact.

We also have ambitions to replicate our e-cargo bike delivery model in other cities, proving that sustainable logistics isn’t just viable, it’s the future of urban business supplies. We want to continue leading the charge in making sustainability accessible, practical, and cost-effective for businesses everywhere.