A New Earth Project , which has a showroom in Laguna , trades plastic for cardboard packaging solutions , like this corrugated option to protect surfboads during shipping .
“ We have over 50 refillable products ranging from bath , body , kitchen , cleaning products and more ,” Holland says . “ All of our products we offer are made with nontoxic ingredients and free of any harmful chemicals . The most popular are typically your everyday staples , such as laundry detergent , dish soap , shampoo , body wash , etc . Our mineral sunscreen and eucalyptus shower steamers are also up there .”
At Eco Now , which works in a similar way ( selling by the ounce ), Pauley says the bestsellers are laundry concentrate , toothpaste tablets , refillable all-natural perfumes and small-batch skin care products . The shop also carries a wide variety of other products , from reusable food wraps made of beeswax and travel cutlery sets to toilet paper made from bamboo rather than trees , wool balls that replace dryer sheets , natural cosmetics and gift items .
Both shops seek out brands that are local and closed loop , which means the brand reuses its packaging . So , for example , when a company delivers a big plastic drum of its liquid soap , it picks up the store ’ s empty container to be refilled later . Other products , like bar soap , are shipped in a cardboard box containing a durable plastic bag that can be reused over and over .
“ We actually ship that box back with about 10 bags in it and they hold it for us , so when we reorder , they use them ,” Pauley says . Other products , she notes , come in 5-gallon buckets that the store upcycles for community members to use as compost bins .
BUILDING COMMUNITY In addition to providing compost containers , Eco Now hosts quarterly events like composting workshops , clothing swaps and seed swaps . The business has also offered candle-making classes and a fix-it fair to repair broken furniture and household items . The Ritual Refill also presents events , about once a month , from sound baths to a creative journaling workshop , clothing swaps and pop-ups with local vendors . The shop has even hosted a tea ceremony and a session focused on dyeing fabric with plant and food waste . Check both shops ’ websites and social media channels for upcoming events .
“ We ’ ve had such an incredible first year and a half ,” Hall says . “ Whether it ’ s coming back for refills , showing up for our events , or even just sharing our mission on social media , we are so grateful for the love and support our community has shown us . Our favorite part of what we do is getting to share our vision with the community .”
The goal for both shops is to provide resources to help people live sustainably . In college , Pauley biked to campus and tried to live as simply as possible . Her friends asked how she knew about these eco-friendly methods . “ It seems like people want to do green living , but don ’ t know how ,” she says .
So , in 2018 , Pauley started selling handmade , reusable “ eco towels ,” a fabric alternative to paper towels , at farmers markets . Then she crafted fabric face wipes for removing makeup and reusable , onthe-go cutlery sets . “ Single-use plastic cutlery kills me . Every time I see it , my heart breaks ,” she says .
Eventually , her farmers market booth grew big enough to open a shop . Coming to a crossroads , she decided to commit full time to this venture rather than continuing her education . She opened her store in an Airstream at The LAB , which fell in line with her shop ’ s mission by upcycling the trailer . That ethos now extends to the all-natural paint on her stores ’ walls and the use of wood
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