What is Zero Waste?
Zero waste, as defined by the Zero Waste International Alliance, is the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health. Our goal is zero waste, we are always looking for ways to reduce our own wastes and working with suppliers that support our mission!
How is Refill Exchange a Zero Waste Store?
We strive to provide sustainable products made of materials that can be recycled, composted, or that easily biodegrade at the end of life. Some products may end up in a landfill but when made of natural, sustainable materials, they will break down quickly without leaving toxic chemicals behind. This enables our customers to reduce their plastic waste and minimize their environmental footprint.
Why are plastics bad?
Plastics are made from fossil fuels and a mix of many different chemicals. Thousands of which have been found to be harmful to humans and the environment. Pollution from the production of plastic as well as the physical plastic itself are responsible for contributing to climate change and are known to cause a myriad of human health diseases including breast and prostate cancer, endocrine disorders, male and female infertility, and metabolic disorders, just to name a few. Head to our Blog to learn more.
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Can I bring my own containers?Yes, please do! You may bring your own containers, any type is acceptable, but they need to be empty and clean. We offer a variety of glass jars, bottles, and other reusables for purchase. Additionally, we are proud to offer our Clean Exchange Program for a small fee - use our clean jars and bring them back dirty. We’ll do the washing!
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How does bulk buying work?We offer weigh stations, so when you come into the store – weigh your container, write the weight on it (use our markers or labels), fill it, then head to the check out and we’ll weigh the container one last time!
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How does it work when I buy online?All food products and liquids (soaps, lotions, and cleaners) that do not come in their own container are not eligible for online ordering. These products are offered in store only. All other products are available for shipping within the United States.
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How do you choose your products?We do the research, so you don’t have to! We partner with companies that share our values to reduce plastic waste and offer toxic free products that are safe for humans and the environment. We strive to source goods as locally as possible. If you are a local maker of sustainable products, we want to hear from you! The products we offer are free from common harmful chemicals that are used in plastics: phthalates, bisphenols, PFAS, PAHs, flame retardants, alkylphenols, VOCs, PCBs. We choose products that are made from natural ingredients and free from petroleum based chemicals, toxic chemicals, and the common harmful synthetic preservatives.
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What is your return policy?We do not accept returns of bulk products such as foods, liquid soaps and lotions. We do accept returns or exchanges for other products in store and online within 14 days of purchase, with receipt. The product must be undamaged and unused. We offer refunds or store credit. We reserve the right to review on a case by case basis. If you have an issue with a product please contact us at: info@refillexchange.com
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What is your shipping policy?All orders are processed within 3 to 5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) after receiving your order confirmation email. You will receive another notification when your order has shipped. Shipping charges for your order are calculated and displayed at checkout. We ship via United States Postal Service (USPS) using either flat rate shipping or first class mail. Shipping is expected to take 3-5 business days. We ship domestically in the United States only. We do not ship internationally at this time.