Your First Refill: It Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming
I remember the first time I thought about the ingredients in my cleaning products. I was a first time homeowner, and I considered myself a pretty aware, health-conscious person. I shopped organic whenever I could, I knew about the sneakiness in the food industry, but when it came to home and personal care products, I was shocked at what I didn’t know. More than that, I was shocked by what I hadn’t even paused to consider before.
Shortly after my a-ha moment with cleaning products, that same revelation started creeping into every other area of my life: skincare, makeup, clothing, kitchen storage, cooking utensils and pans, furniture. I began looking at everything around me - wondering where it came from and what was in it. It was easy to feel both overwhelmed, and also like I wanted to get rid of everything and start fresh.
It wasn’t long before I realized that that desire to “start fresh” was actually antithetical to everything I was trying to do.
I was decluttering thanks to Marie Kondo - the Japanese organizing expert known for her method of keeping only items that “spark joy” - and justifying purchases that were supposedly “clean” and “eco friendly”, but in the process I was creating more waste and consuming more. I started paying more attention to packaging, shipping, and my carbon footprint and once again- the overwhelm.
Funnily enough, I remember being introduced to a refill shop around this time and that overwhelmed me too! I knew refilling offered an important alternative, but I was intimidated by the idea of keeping tares and numbers in my head. (This was pre-smart tags 😉).
If You’re New to Refilling or Zero-Waste Living
In a nutshell, if you are new to the idea of refilling, or new to “clean” products and zero waste solutions, and it all feels daunting or expensive or inconvenient…you’re not alone. AND. Also, I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t have to be any of those things.
Here are some things that have helped me along the way:
Start where you are
There’s no need to buy fancy containers; use what you have. That’s the whole point! Repurpose those empties. Plus, at Bridge Refill Market, we always have free sanitized jars for the taking if you forget yours (in part because you donate your extras 🤗thank you!)
Start with what you use the most
What are things you use every single day? I’m looking at you toothpaste, deodorant, soap, body lotion, all purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, olive oil…👀 This can easily become a lengthy list, but hear me out: Pick ONE - one item to refill. Start there and see how it feels!
Fill what you need
You don’t have to fill your containers to the brim. The beauty of shopping the refill way is you’re not only reducing packaging waste, but product waste too.
Want a couple speciality spices for the new curry you’re trying out? Grab a few teaspoons and be on your way! Nervous to try a new shampoo or conditioner? Take 3 pumps! Refilling makes everything samplable.
Consider the impact
It can be hard to visualize how small actions add up, so let’s look at laundry as an example.
Studies estimate that the U.S. consumes ~ 700 million to 1 billion plastic laundry jugs annually.
While laundry jugs are technically recyclable, the rates of people recycling them are low and even when recycled, only about 30% make it through nationwide.
In Erie, the recycling guidelines state that laundry jugs must be rinsed out, not flattened, and the cap must be on. Refilling bypasses all of this, including wondering if it actually got recycled or not. Bring that same container in and refill it with any amount. Now you know right where that jug is, and you extended its life.
So how does it work?
- Bring in your empty container.
- Weigh it, (with lid on).
- Scan one of our smart tags to record the weight, and loop it around your container
- Fill your container with whatever you'd like -dried fruits, nuts, beans, grains, baking essentials, spices, teas, coffee, cooking oils, body care, detergent, house cleaners, dish soap, hand soap, etc.
- Every product has a three-digit code - this helps us at the register.
- You can write it on our biodegradable stickers, on the container itself (saving the sticker), or in your phone (notes or camera).
- Choose your own adventure! :)
5. Come check out! We'll weigh again, removing the tare (weight of the container) so you're only paying for the product.
(By the way - did you know that so much of what you are paying for in new products is the packaging and branded label? Refilling erases that markup.)
You’re not alone in this
Rest assured, we’re with you every step of the way and are always happy to help. And you help us, too!
In our first year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) our customers helped us save 14,639 containers from going into the landfill, by opting to refill instead.
We are so grateful to be serving this community and to be a part of your journey. If you haven’t been by the shop, come visit! And stay tuned for more, here on the new Bridge Refill Blog.
Thanks for reading.