Refilling How To Videos

General FAQs

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  • How does Refillism work?

    In-store: Bring-your-own container (or purchase a new one in store) to fill it with one of our eco-friendly household or beauty products. Then only pay for the per weighed ounce filled in the container. We also have great reusable, refillable, recyclable, and compostable zero waste goods. Online: Browse our household and beauty by-the-ounce refills, reusable bottles and jars, and other zero waste goods. Simply order what you need and come back to visit us to refill. 

  • Where do we source our refill products?

    We work with U.S .based eco-friendly labs, manufacturers, and makers for our refill products. It is also important to us to work with local businesses and source with local makers and artisans. We only carry products that fit our strict standards and meet most of our product profile: cruelty free (many of our refill products are Leaping Bunny Certified), non-toxic, organic ingredients, and vegan.

  • Who started Refillism?

    Our founder, Elizabeth Bower, created Refillism to help people make earth-friendly changes in their everyday lives. Providing a place to reuse containers and refill them with household and beauty essentials. Learn more about Elizabeth here.  Refillism is proudly a woman owned and operated business, as well as veteran owned and black owned business.

  • Who can I contact about vendor, press, or partnership inquiries?

    Please email us and a member of our team will follow up as soon as possible. 

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Refilling & Container FAQs

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  • How do I purchase a refill online?

    Refills can be purchased per weighed ounce and come in a ready-to-use bottle, pouch, paper bag, or kraft pouch. If you choose a pouch or bag, simply transfer your refill to a clean container. For the clear plastic pouches, if you have recycling available to you, you can simply recycle (#7) or reuse your refill pouch. If not, you can send the pouch back to us and we will recycle: 38 South Beaver Street, York, PA 17401.

  • What kind of container should I use?

    Recommended container materials are glass or #1, #2 and #5 plastics. Glass is one of our favorites because it is easy to clean and non-porous. However, glass may not be suitable for some locations, like bathrooms or when shatterproof materials may be necessary. Note, not all plastics are created equal. Some plastics don’t sanitize well and can harbor bacteria and mold.

  • How do I sanitize my containers?

    Empty all prior product and rinse with hot water and soap. (Option – After removing prior product and rinsing, you can put in dishwasher.) Sanitizing Glass: Put in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Sanitizing Plastic: Do a final rinse with 120 proof (60%) alcohol. This will evaporate any excess water. Make sure containers are 100% dry before filling. Learn more here.

  • How do I clean the tops, pumps & sprayers?

    Clean and clear out all residue. Clean with 60% alcohol.  Pumps: Flush out product with hot soapy water until clear of product. Then pump 60% alcohol for 10 or more pumps.

  • What size is the bottle I already have at home?

    If you aren’t sure what size your current bottle is, you could purchase the larger refill and put the extra in another bottle or mason jar. 

    - 10oz to 16oz is what most cleaning and beauty products are.

    - Mason jars are 16oz (2 cups).

    - Travel sizes are usually around 4oz.

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Eco Definitions

  • Biodegradable

    Describes materials or substances that can naturally break down and decompose into simpler, environmentally benign components through the action of microorganisms, without leaving long-lasting pollution or harm to the environment.

  • Compostable

    Refers to materials or products that have the ability to decompose into organic matter, such as soil or nutrient-rich compost, under specific environmental conditions, contributing to a more sustainable waste management system.

  • Non-Toxic

    Refers to substances, materials, or products that do not contain or produce harmful or poisonous effects when used or encountered, posing minimal risk to human health or the environment.

  • Organic

    Refers to products, practices, or materials that are derived from living organisms, produced without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), often emphasizing sustainable and environmentally friendly methods.

  • Recyled

    Refers to the process of collecting, processing, and converting used materials or products into new items to reduce waste and conserve resources.

  • Refillable

    Describes a product or container designed to be replenished or reused multiple times with its contents, typically to reduce packaging waste and promote sustainability.

  • Reusable

    Refers to items or products that can be used multiple times, often replacing single-use or disposable alternatives, with the aim of reducing waste and environmental impact.

  • Upcycled

    Refers to the creative and environmentally conscious practice of repurposing or transforming discarded or old materials and objects into new and often more valuable items, giving them a second life rather than disposing of them as waste.

  • Vegan

    Describes a lifestyle and dietary choice that excludes the consumption of all animal-derived products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal by-products, in favor of plant-based alternatives.

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Refill Pouch FAQs

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  • What’s the deal with the plastic refill pouches?

    Our refill pouches, though they are plastic, are: 

    - BPA Free & less plastic than a plastic bottle.

    - 50% less energy to produce than a plastic bottle. 

    - Lower in transport cost and footprint. 

    - Can be reused until they lose integrity. Keeping countless plastic bottles from being purchased.

    - Recycled when they can no longer be reused.

  • What if I choose a refill that comes in a pouch?

    Simply transfer the product into your clean container. If you need a container, you can purchase one on our ‘container’ page. If it's a concentrate, pour it into a container and then add water per the product directions (which can be found on our website). 

  • What do I do with the empty refill pouches?

    If you have recycling available in your area, you can recycle the refill pouch or reuse. If not, the pouches can be shipped back to Refillism to be sanitized for reuse or responsibly recycled.

  • Can the refill pouches be recycled?

    Currently, our pouches are a #7 plastic. We are working on sourcing other pouches made from plastics that MORE recycling centers accept. 

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Ordering & Shipping FAQs

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  • How are your products shipped?

    Liquid are shipped in the container chosen. Liquid refills are shipped in pouches. Any sheet, nugget, or powder refills are shipped in paper bags or kraft pouches. We also proudly reuse packing and shipping materials as much as possible. When using new packing materials, we use recycled, recyclable, and/or compostable materials. 

  • I don’t like paying shipping. Why do you charge for shipping?

    Shipping fees are collected to offset the costs of: carrier fees, labels, shipping materials, and properly disposing of end-of-life cycle materials and containers. We hope to encourage customers to be mindful of their purchase frequency by purchasing all their needs at once and take advantage of our minimum purchase FREE SHIPPING thresholds.

  • How much is shipping?

    Shipping charges for your order will be calculated and displayed at checkout. To save on shipping take advantage of our minimum purchase FREE SHIPPING thresholds.

  • Where does my order ship from?

    Refillism’s brick and mortar shop in York, PA

  • How do you reduce your shipping waste?

    We work hard to find and use recycled, compostable, plastic free, and recyclable shipping material. We also reuse packaging.

  • Who do you ship your packages through?

    We like to ship most of our packages with UPS and USPS. However, we do ship FedX and other carriers if cost, shipping size, and location are a factor.

  • How quickly will I receive my order?

    All orders are processed within 1-3 business days (excluding weekends, Mondays, and holidays) after receiving your order confirmation email. You will receive another notification when your order has shipped. (Please check your spam folders.)

    Note, larger orders or specialty orders may have a longer fulfillment time. Ship time depends on carrier and ship time chosen at check out.

  • How do I check the status of my order?

    When your order has shipped, you will receive an email notification from us which will include a tracking number you can use to check its status (check spam folders). Please allow 24-48 hours for the tracking information to become available. 

    If you haven’t received your order within 10 days of receiving your shipping confirmation email, please contact us with your name and order number, and we will look into it for you.

  • Do you ship outside of the USA?

    No, sorry, we only ship in the contiguous United States. 

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Return & Cancellation FAQs

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  • Do you accept returns?

    We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return. Due to the nature of our product we do not accept returns on refill products, filled products, soaps, liquids, gels, or powders. Customer service is important to us. Please Contact Us with any issues and we will work hard to make it right. Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.

  • How do returns work?

    To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.

    To start a return, you can contact us at info@refillism.com. If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.

  • Do you accept cancellations?

    Please Contact Us. We review requests on a case by case basis.

  • My order arrived damaged, defective, or it’sthe wrong product, what do I do?

    Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.

  • What about exchanges or refunds?

    We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too.

    The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.

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