🗑️ From Throwaway to Here to Stay 🫙

In case you missed it, we kicked off the last month of summer by hosting a fantastic webinar (if we do say so, ourselves) offering viewers an inspiring look at a sampling of existing alternatives to single-use plastic packaging. Sarah Paiji Yoo, the CEO and Co-Founder of Blueland, Lindsey McCoy, CEO and Co-Founder of Plaine Products, and Rob Kutner, the CRO of USEFULL all joined us for the conversation.

It’s so encouraging to see entrepreneurs and small business owners bravely leading the way by investing in alternatives to single-use packaging and products, as advocates and legislators immerse themselves in the long game of policy change! Shifting away from throwaway culture requires collaboration between civil society, the public sector and the private sector. 

Refillery businesses are an important part of the equation and mainstreaming them is one major reason why Jaime Durheim founded the Refillery Collective— a platform and community that helps refill store owners get started and succeed, despite the challenges of owning a small business, especially one at the forefront of the zero waste movement. It’s a much-needed space for business owners to interact with peers and to receive strategic support and guidance. 

Photo Courtesy of Mark DeHanes

Janette Spiezio, owner of Sustainable Haus expressed her appreciation saying, “Having the Refillery Collective really helps small and new refilleries find their community and learn from each other. We need to find ways to grow stronger for our health and the planet’s health.”

Janette also co-founded Beyond Plastics New Jersey with Lois Kraus to work simultaneously at another level— local government.

As important stakeholders, business owners’ voices carry a lot of weight in advocating for laws and policies to help will reduce plastic pollution at source and make reuse/refill the norm. For that reason, Beyond Plastics is excited to soon unveil a new complement to the community and business support that the Refillery Collective offers, by providing opportunities for refilleries to make their voices heard. 📣

Leslie Delgado, owner of Peace of the Earth Refillery in Louisville, Kentucky shared her experience as both a business owner and a co-founder of another Beyond Plastics Local Group, 

"I have been a member of the Refillery Collective for the last 2 years. During that time, I have enjoyed the educational workshops, vendor information, and library of resources that is offered on the platform. The most beneficial thing though has been the sense of community that it encourages with other refill store owners across the country. I am excited about the Refillery Collective's partnership with the new Beyond Plastics Refill Club. As the co-leader of the Louisville, KY, chapter of Beyond Plastics, I believe that this collaboration will be an incredible resource for the advocacy side of the refill world and will hopefully encourage policy change, not only in individual communities, but nationwide as well." 

@jennifer_roop_photography

Ellen Andrick, owner of Replenish Refillery in Dover, New Hampshire is another member of the Refillery Collective and echoed praise for the complementary support, "Refill shops are a relatively niche industry. There are unique business logistics, questions, and concerns that arise which mainstream retail businesses don't encounter. The Refillery Collective has provided a forum for primarily solo entrepreneurs to collaborate, learn, and use as a sounding board in their business ventures. Whether it's to attend a webinar about marketing, ask questions about store logistics, meet reps from sustainable brands, or attend learning retreats, the Refillery Collective has been a supportive and community for refill shop owners. Many refill shops' missions extend into the sphere of education and advocacy and we are thrilled to have Beyond Plastics offering its support in this realm to push policy change and make refilling more mainstream."

Every time we as consumers open our wallets 👛, we are casting a vote for the future we want to see. So be sure to check out the Refill Directory to find stores near you (both brick and mortar and mobile) and set a date to visit one. Share this directory with others through email, social media, and in person.

If you are a refill store owner, stay tuned to your inbox for more information about the NEW Beyond Plastics Refill Club.

There are many ways to join Beyond Plastics in the fight against plastic pollution whether you’re a volunteer advocate, business owner, elected official or just someone who has had enough! We know there are many causes out there and we appreciate your support to end plastic pollution for your health, your community and the planet.