Refill Shops: What they are and where to find them in NYC
for Submission Beauty
Creating a zero-waste routine has become much easier with the rise of refill shops across the country. And these stores, with their comforting and fresh atmospheres, have helped all sorts of people make more sustainable decisions in their daily lives. And the rise of these shops prove that sustainability is not just trendy; plastic-free beauty is the future.
The Beauty of Refill Shops
Refill shops are commonly local, independent shops that debunk the need for single-use plastics. Instead of selling pre-packaged goods, refill shops reel in shoppers that bring their own bottles and containers to refill their stock of house and beauty essentials. For beauty finds, examples include soaps, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, lotions and more.
Not only are you helping the environment when shopping from refill shops, but you are also supporting local businesses. And in NYC, there are plenty to choose from that will enhance and nurture a plastic-free beauty routine in your everyday life.
Here’s some of our favorite shops:
Precycle
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHA5sL7HS9F/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Located in Brooklyn, Precycle directly works with local farmers and distributors so customers can know exactly where their products are from. The store’s mission is to identify the clear issue of plastic pollution and present their refill-friendly stock as a way to combat this.
Since the pandemic’s start, Precycle has introduced online ordering and pickup to their website, ensuring that all those interested in their eco-savvy setup can shop in their own comfort range.
While the store mostly focuses on selling various types of food such as fresh produce, grains, spices and more, they also have a wide selection of other cleaning and beauty products. This includes lip and hair balms, face sunscreens, shampoo and conditioning bars, razors and bars of soap in multiple scents.
Earth & Me
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPtzubrD-d0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Being Queens’ first zero-waste store and refill station, Earth & Me prides itself on their high-quality and eco-friendly products. While they balance the necessity of sustainability, quality and affordability in their chosen stock, they also donate a percentage of their profits to environmental and social justice organizations.
Something unique about Earth & Me: even the labels are compostable, and they are offered to customers to put on their containers for ease.
At Earth & Me, there is an endless selection of soaps, scrubs, bath luxuries, clay masks, body butters, balms and serums. You can’t leave with just one item, especially knowing that all products are zero-waste and plastic free.
Green in BKLYN
https://www.instagram.com/p/CN-06_7Dazn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Selling home goods and gifts, Green in BKLYN offers refillable solutions in kitchen, beauty, cleaning and kids essentials for everyday life.
Up and running in -- you guessed it -- Brooklyn, this one-stop shop is a great find for those that are beginning an eco-friendly lifestyle. They offer informative materials to help assist customers while shopping.
Green in BKLYN sells lotions, soaps and even nail polish. All of their products, including their beauty selection, are biodegradable, organic and hypo-allergenic.
Fountain House and Body
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQGlkAMrlD-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Fountain House and Body is a social enterprise stemming from the Fountain House mental health service. This refill shop provides customizable and eco-conscious ingredients within each of their items.
A great factor in the Fountain House and Body stock is that they create their own soap bars that come in a variety of colors and scents like pine, lavender, grapefruit, orange and more.
They also make in-house shampoo and conditioner, shampoo and conditioner bars, lotion bars and other cleaning products.
EcoBronx LLC
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWOfwwpiS2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This Bronx-based zero-waste shop offers sustainable products and workshops for their customers to learn more about the benefits of sustainable living.
EcoBronx LLC truly emphasizes the importance of educating their customers to positively enforce sustainable practices into their lives. Their social media and website is flooded with infographics and documents expressing the impact and significance of plastic-free lifestyles.
EcoBronx sells hand and body soaps, hand wash sheets, shampoo and conditioning bars, eco balms, nail brushes and so much more. They even provide reusable produce bags and containers for those just starting out on their no-waste living journey.
Refill Room
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQT02hQFvbj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Just outside and north of the city, located in Hastings-on-Hudson, Refill Room sells the essentials that are good for both their customers and the environment. The goal of the Refill Room is to “reduce single-use plastic, one refill at a time.”
This refill store is worth the trip due to its diverse selection of bath and body products. Shop for shaving soap and aftershave, face cleansers and oils, lotions, soaps, toners, balms, serums… you name it, they have it.
Something exciting about the Refill Room’s stock? They even have plastic-free makeup essentials: eyeliner, mineral eye shadow and organic mascara can all be found at this location.
