Rosa's Romanian bakery helping UK progress to Net Zero

Ahead of COP 29 next week, Rosa’s Bakery in Neath provides an excellent example of how small businesses can help to progress the UK’s journey towards Net Zero.

Rosa’s Bakery, a family-run bakery specializing in Romanian baked goods and delicacies, serves as inspiration for existing or aspiring business owners, of any age and at any stage of their sustainability journey.

Estera-Rosa – or simply Rosa as she’s known - has inherited her baking talent from her Bucharest-born mother, who is called Rosana and has a keen interest in nutrition.

As Product Director, Rosana ensures the baked treats on offer at the bakery are not only delicious but are also low in sugar with ingredients which are often locally sourced, unrefined and organic.

The bakery’s evaporative cooling technique uses just water and forced air, reminiscent of the ancient Egyptian method of hanging a wet towel over an open window. It is a greener alternative to traditional air conditioning and has resulted in reduced energy bills and refrigeration requirements.

The bakery on Neath’s Shufflebotham Lane is organically certified by The Soil Association and relies on over 90% renewable energy.

Compostable packaging is used across the bakery, where Rosa’s younger brothers Reuben and Asaph have also trained alongside Rosa as assistant baker and barista.

The Cundill family encourages the re-use of bags and sells popular re-usable jute bags, which have become popular with customers posting about them across social media.

As a small business, there are multiple methods and routes possible to become a greener business. Rosa Cundill, founder of Rosa’s Bakery commented: