The Story of EcoBee
My journey towards less plastic, more conscious consumption, and a sustainable life.
Hello, I'm Mel.
I am the founder of EcoBee MiMel. I am an architect; I completed my master's degree in sustainable architecture and work in the field of sustainability.
But the story of EcoBee didn't actually begin on the day my store opened; it started in the UK in 2019.
It all started with a question
While pursuing my master's degree in sustainable architecture in the UK, I began to notice the use of plastic around me more intensely. The unnecessary plastic wrapping of food in supermarkets, in particular, bothered me greatly. I started researching and discovered that beyond recycling, there were different ways to reduce waste and enable reuse.
Over time, what I learned ceased to be mere information and became a part of my lifestyle. I started shopping at eco-shops, refilling my products whenever possible, examining the ingredients of the products I bought, and avoiding unnecessary additives. After a while, these became daily habits I performed without thinking.
Every time I came to Cyprus, I thought the same thing.
With these habits acquired in the UK, every time I came to Cyprus, I started to notice the plastic use around me more and more. The packaging in supermarkets, single-use products, plastic bags...
And over time, the same question began to form in my mind:
"Why isn't there a place in Cyprus where we can do these things more easily?"
At the same time, as an architect, I was working on sustainable buildings and structures that were healthier and used resources more efficiently. But I realized that sustainability was not limited to buildings alone.
How we consume, what we buy, how much waste we produce, and how we treat the resources we use are as much a part of sustainable living as the structures we live in.
Thus, the idea of an eco-shop began to take shape in my mind. Then another question was added to this idea:
"Could there also be a refill shop here?"
I started developing this idea based on the growing plastic problem and the need for more sustainable alternatives in daily life.
In 2023, I applied to YAGA's Entrepreneurship Grant Program with my EcoBee idea, and my project was approved for funding. This support was an important step for me to turn the idea I had been dreaming of for a long time into reality.
In 2025, I returned to Cyprus, and the establishment process of EcoBee accelerated. On February 7, 2026, I opened the doors of EcoBee MiMel.
What do I want to do at EcoBee?
I don't see EcoBee as just a store where you can buy sustainable products. My goal is to look at the products we use in our daily lives with a different perspective; to use less plastic, reduce single-use products, make reuse a habit, buy only what we need, and choose refills whenever possible.
I also care about questioning the content, packaging, and lifespan of the products we buy.
In this direction, at EcoBee, I bring together more sustainable options in various areas of daily life, from refill products to personal care and cleaning products, from kitchen products to reusable alternatives.
Sustainability is not about being perfect
I don't believe that sustainable living means changing everything at once. Throwing away all the plastics in our home and buying new ones is not sustainable either.
I think what's truly important is to use the products we have for as long as possible and to make a more conscious choice the next time we shop.
Because for me, sustainability is not just about plastic-free shopping or designing sustainable buildings. It's a much more comprehensive way of life. It's about how we live, what we consume, how we use resources, and what kind of world we want to leave for future generations.
EcoBee is part of this idea.
We continue to learn and change together
When I founded EcoBee, I didn't already know everything. I am still learning, researching, and discovering new products and alternatives. Sometimes I question what the right choice is, and sometimes I research whether a product is truly sustainable. And I think that's one of the best parts of it.
Because sustainable living is not a journey we complete once we reach a goal. It's about noticing a little more each day, questioning, and making the best choices we can.
I founded EcoBee for exactly this reason: to make more sustainable options accessible in Cyprus, to popularize the culture of refill and reuse, and to create a space where we can learn together on this journey.
If you also want to consume less plastic, shop more consciously, or incorporate sustainable living a little more into your daily life,
Welcome to EcoBee.
Less plastic. Less waste. More conscious choices.