The ReFill

Reduce Reuse Refill

“We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” Anne-Marie Bonneau, aka The Zero Waste Chef

Household waste is increasing drastically each year – and we understand that making a difference can feel daunting. We want to help you stock and re-stock your household with the highest quality, ethically-sourced products without plastic and wasteful packaging.

You Can Make an Difference...One Ounce at a Time

Who we are:

Welcome to The ReFill, your locally owned refillery and sustainable living shop in downtown Newport, RI. We offer alternatives to single use plastic consumption by refilling customers' already existing containers with non-toxic, eco-friendly home and personal care products. Our shelves are lined with a carefully curated selection of household cleaners and soaps, shampoos, lotions, detergents, toothpaste tabs, and so much more.

Have you ever asked yourself what you can do to cut down on the waste that pours into our over-burdened landfill and ease stress on our over-polluted planet? "Where to start", you ask? Visit your neighborhood refill shop...The ReFill!

"We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world" -Howard Zinn

What we do:

To support a circular economy & reduce non-biodegradable waste, The ReFill supplies safe & sustainable household cleaning and body products in bulk, eliminating unnecessary virgin single-use plastic packaging. To fill up, you simply bring your own reusable container, select one for free from our donation bin, or purchase one of our lovely containers to refill again and again.

“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can.”

— Sydney Smith

How we do it?

Customers are encouraged to bring in their own clean bottles, jars, bags, or boxes to have them filled with as much or as little high-quality, eco-friendly goods as they like, priced by the ounce (weight). No bottle? No problem. There are always free jars on hand (part of our glass donation program), and there is an assortment of new glass, aluminum, and stainless steel containers, pumps, and accessories available for purchase.

You don't have to change everything...but you do have to change something!

Why we do it?

Why?

Because our planet, our children, and the future generations need our help.

There is no single individual who can change the world. We understand there are all levels of commitment when it comes to being more eco-conscious. In the end though, we’re all consumers, and we can start by consuming less and consuming more sustainably.

We also know that many well-intentioned efforts to save the planet at the household level are either failing us (e.g. curbside plastic 'recycling' - 90% of which still ends up in landfill) or costing us too much in time, effort, or money.

We want to support our community in making small, sustainable changes that are good for both you and the environment.

Take the first step.

“Anything is possible when you have a path, a plan and a desire to take action.” - Dean Graziosi

What we believe:

True confession of a refill shop owner: I am not zero waste!

Here at The ReFill we believe that the ability to go completely zero waste is largely unattainable and is contingent upon many factors that are often out of our control; things such as access to transportation, availability of products, lack of information, family or health concerns. And, sometimes, the waiter automatically puts the straw in your glass.

We like the term 'low-waste'. We believe in progress over perfection. Just because you can't cut all plastic packaging and waste out of your life doesn't mean you can't make a difference and live more sustainably. Start small. What have you run out of? Lotion? Laundry Soap? Don't toss that container. Bring it in and refill it. I think you will find, as I did, that making sustainable changes in your home gets easier and easier over time.

Small changes can make a big difference.

"The best is the enemy of the good" - Voltaire

Progress, not Perfection

What you'll find:

In addition to our bulk refills, our shelves are filled with an abundance of carefully curated sustainable swaps for everyday living. Everything from cotton bowl covers, washable paper towels, and produce bags to shampoo and conditioner bars, Swedish dishcloths, and wool dryer balls. Everything is beautiful, well-crafted, thoughtfully designed, and meant to last.

Most importantly, you will find a dedicated teacher who will happily answer all of your questions and concerns and guide you along your path to a low-waste lifestyle.

What you won't:

No plastic. No greenwashing. No toxins. No judgement. No Amazon.

"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make." Dr. Jane Goodall

Where are you:

Great question!

We are located at 42 Spring St in Newport, RI.

We are:

Behind the courthouse
A couple of doors down from Touro Synagogue
Near the new Spring Park
Up the short hill from The Fastnet Pub

Hours: Wed and Thu 12-6, Friday 12-5, Sat and Sun 10-3