Can I use my own container for refilling in the store?
YES! We love seeing you bring your own containers into the store for refill. Please make sure your container is clean and dry for refilling. It helps ensure the product you purchase stays both clean and effective. This is especially important for face & skincare products to prevent the growth of mold, yeast or fungus. In general, a staff member will the one doing the filling both in the shop and at our pop ups at Farmers Markets. See below for how to sanitize & prep your containers for reuse.

How do I properly sanitize reusable bottles?
We love reusing containers, it's the reason we exist! Not only does it save bottles from landfills and our ocean, it conserves the energy required for producing new bottles as well as the energy used for recycling bottles. If you're living low waste, you likely have bottles piling up at home that you'd like to reuse. We found this incredibly useful guide on how to do that safely and are happy to share that info with you.

The reason more companies don't offer refills is due to fear of contamination. Our products are plant based and while they do contain preservative systems, those preservatives are naturally derived and will only prevent yeast, mold or fungus from growing when contaminants like tap water, dust or old product residue is not present. Now you can see why it is very important to fill only very clean and 100% dry containers especially when using natural and plant-based products for face and body like lotions and oils. When refilling with the same product or topping off, we recommend a "bottle reset" by sanitizing once a year in between refilling to preserve the life of your product for the following year.

While we encourage refilling all types of containers, glass and #5 plastics are best. Glass is not porous and is easiest to sanitize. Some plastics, on the other hand, can hold onto bacteria or mold so sanitizing can be tricky. Polypropylene containers, also known as #5 containers are the sturdiest of plastics and can be cleaned at high temperatures which make them the best plastic for refilling soaps and cleaning products.

HOW TO SANITIZE & PREP CONTAINERS FOR REUSE
   •    Remove all prior residue from your container with hot water and soap or run through a dishwasher after removing all product residue.
   •    Glass can be sanitized by placing in boiling water for 5 minutes. This is specifically recommended for leave-on skincare and face products.
   •    For plastics, we recommend a final rinse of at least 60% alcohol  which helps evaporate any excess water remaining. You can also use our Hand Sanitizer for that last rinse as well.
   •    Be sure your containers are completely dry before bringing them in to be filled.
HOW TO CLEAN TOPS AND PUMPS
   •    Clear pumps and tops of all residue.
   •    Rinse with 60% alcohol. For pumps, flush all product by pumping hot soap and water through until all product residue is gone. Then pump 60% alcohol or our sanitizer through for at least 10 pumps.

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Where do I find ingredients and product use information for refills?

Click here for details on many of our refill options. Otherwise, please visit the brand's website for information about the product of your choice.

 

Why do non-plastic scrubbers matter?

Plastic bristle scrub brushes shed tiny pieces of plastic called micro plastics. Unfortunately these tiny plastic pieces are not filtered out fully by sewage treatment. So when you hear about the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" the majority of this garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean is actually tiny pieces of plastic that aren't even visible to the human eye.These tiny plastic pieces are being eaten by marine animals and ending up in the food chain, being consumed by humans in sushi restaurants around the globe! And if you're vegan, they are ending up in our tap water too. Help us turn off the plastic tap and choose a more sustainable option for humans and the planet.