Thought those refill shops were just a trendy scam, then my trash told a different story

Hannah Jenkins · 2026-10-12T04:15:05.332541+00:00

I live in Boise and there is a refill store three blocks from my apartment that sells shampoo, dish soap, and laundry stuff in bulk. I walked past it for two years thinking it was just a place for people with fancy jars to feel good about themselves while paying double. Then in January I actually counted my trash for a month and realized I was tossing 14 plastic bottles and jugs every 30 days, mostly soap and cleaner stuff. So I finally went in with two empty mason jars and it cost me $9.40 to fill both, which is less than what I was paying at the grocery store for the same amount. Six months later my trash bin is half as full and I have not bought a single plastic bottle of soap since. The thing that got me was the owner saying most people quit because they forget their jars, so I just keep a tote bag of empties by my door now. Anyway, has anyone figured out a good refill option for toothpaste? That is the one thing I still cannot crack.

The Community Guide

Loading…

Thought those refill shops were just a trendy scam, then my trash told a different story | Climate Action - The Community Guide