What Even Is a Refill Store? (And How the Heck Do You Shop at One?)

Refill stores can sound a little intimidating if you’ve never stepped foot in one. Do you need fancy jars? Will someone side-eye your old salsa container? Is everything super expensive or just for eco-experts with alphabetized pantries and custom labeled spice jars?

We get it. But here’s the truth: refill shops are for everyone — and at Vessel, we’re especially here for the curious, the chaotic, and the newbies! So if you’ve ever wondered what a refill store actually is (and how the heck to shop at one), we’re breaking it all down. No shame, no stress, and definitely no perfection required.

 So let’s get into it: what is a refill store, how does it work, and how to get started. What is a refill store, anyway?

What is a refill store, anyway?

A refill store (aka zero waste shop or low-waste store) does what it says on the tin: it is a place where you can refill everyday products instead of buying new single-use containers every time.

Think: dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, cleaning sprays, toothpaste tabs, and more.

Instead of buying a brand-new plastic bottle every time you run out, you bring your own container, (or if you forget yours, you can borrow one of ours FOR FREE from the Free Vessel Library) fill it up with what you need, and pay by the ounce. Less plastic, less waste, less money wasted on packaging! 

It’s kind of like bulk bins at the grocery store, but for your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room.

Why refill stores exist (and why they matter)

Let’s talk trash. The average American produces over 4 pounds of garbage a day, and a huge chunk of that comes from single-use packaging. Even the “recyclable” stuff? Yeah, most of it never actually gets recycled.

And those plastic bottles piling up in your shower? You’re not imagining it. Americans throw away over 500 million shampoo bottles every year—many of which end up in landfills or floating in our oceans.

Refill stores exist to offer an alternative. Instead of tossing out another shampoo bottle or spray cleaner, you reuse what you already have. And that small shift? It adds up big time.

By shopping at refill stores, you're:

1. Keeping plastic out of landfills and oceans
2. Reducing the demand for resource-heavy packaging
3. Supporting small, values-driven businesses instead of Big Plastic™
4. Saving money by only buying what you need
   
   

Plus, your shelves look way cooler when they’re not a chaotic billboard of branding from businesses who only care about their bottom line.

OK, but how do I actually shop at one?

We’re so glad you asked. If it’s your first time, here’s how it works at a refill shop like Vessel Refills:

1. Bring your own containers (or don’t, we got you)

Mason jars, takeout containers, an old shampoo bottle you’re emotionally attached to — anything clean and sealable works.

Don’t have anything on hand? No stress. We’ve got empty containers available in-store, plus a free community jar "library" full of clean, donated vessels you can use.

2. Weigh it before you fill

This is called “tare weight.” We weigh your empty container and record it so you only pay for what you fill it with—not the jar itself. Our team or your friendly neighborhood scale will walk you through it.

Once you know the weight of the vessel, write it down on the jar using one of our sharpies or wax pencils at our weigh station. Or, if you'd prefer, you can pick up a reusable label for your vessel for $1. Once you've noted the tare somewhere on your vessel, it's time to fill that baby up!

3. Fill/Refill what you need

Find your desired product, write down the product name on the label or bring the sharpie/wax pencil with you to write directly on your jar. (If your vessel is glass, don't worry, you can remove sharpie and wax pencil with rubbing alcohol once you get home!)

Then, pump, pour, scoop — whatever the product calls for. You can refill a little or a lot. No need to buy more than you need. We’re not Costco, after all. Half-empty, half-full, all the way full, the choice is yours! This is also a great way to test out a new product without needing to buy a whole lot of it. (Sensitive skin peeps, I'm talking to you!) 

4. Weigh it again & pay

Once you've filled your vessel to your desired amount, go back to the weigh station, write down the total weight (if you're using one of our labels, put it on the "net weight" line), and head to the check out counter. You pay by the ounce. Boom. That’s it.

How much does it cost?

This is a big misconception: people assume refill shops are super expensive or “boutique-y.” Not here.

At Vessel, we price products by the ounce and offer competitive, accessible pricing. You’re not paying for packaging, marketing, or a shiny new bottle (unless you want to!) — just the good stuff inside.

Refilling is often cheaper than buying new, especially for things like all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, and dish soap.

What can I refill?

Each shop is a little different, but at Vessel, we’ve got a growing lineup that includes:

• Dish soap, dishwasher powder, & sponges
• Laundry detergent, stain sticks, & dryer balls
• Shampoo, conditioner, & body wash
• Lotions, face toner, & deodorant
• Toothpaste tabs, biodegradable floss, & bamboo toothbrushes
• Seasonal or specialty products (refillable candles, anyone?)
  

We also carry eco-friendly home and body swaps like swedish dishcloths, menstrual products, reusable towels, linen coffee filters, and more.

Do I have to be zero waste to shop here?

Absolutely not.

You do not have to fit into a perfect aesthetic, live plastic-free, or know how to compost in your sleep to refill your soap. In fact, we really want you here if you’re new to this. The world doesn’t need more perfect environmentalists. It needs more imperfect ones doing what they can.

Whether you’re just trying to ditch your plastic dish soap bottle or go full crunchy witch mode — you’re welcome here.

Why choose a refill shop over Amazon?

Let’s break it down:

• You reduce packaging waste. One bottle, many lives.
• You support local. Every purchase keeps your dollars in the community.
• You get to see what’s in your products. Transparency > mystery ingredients.
• You’re part of something bigger. Refill culture is rooted in community care and circular economy.
  

Also: we dress better (ask us about our latest thrift finds!) and play better music than Bezos ever could.

TL;DR – Refill shops are for you

• Yes, you can shop at a refill store.
• No, you don’t need fancy jars.
• Yes, it’s affordable and easy.
• No, you don’t have to be perfectly sustainable to start.
  

So come on in, bring your quirky jars, ask us all your questions (even the silly ones – we promise they’re actually not), and start small. One refill at a time. We’re ready when you are. 

🖤 Refill, reuse, reanimate.

-Brook