Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Foster.
Hi Hannah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been passionate about environmentalism and inclusivity within the movement. I went to school at the City College of New York with the intention of someday becoming an environmental lawyer but soon realized law school was not the right path for me. After graduating, feeling somewhat lost, I decided to blow through my savings and live in New Zealand. I was working in a small neuropathy eco store, called the Herbal Dispensary, when I first encountered a refillery. I loved the concept. Not only was it a great was to cut down on single-use packaging, but it was much more affordable than most of the very cool, but very expensive, eco-products they sold. Not having to pay for labeling and packaging helps lower the cost of high-quality and all-natural products. The re-fill process is, however, a messy one. Costumers have to lug around their own jars (usually glass jars), and tare and refill everything themselves– often spilling product. Watching this process is what inspired the idea of a refill delivery service.
After my time at the Herbal Dispensary, I was fully enamored with small businesses and the power for the good they have in their communities. I moved back to Utah and opened up shop. The “out-doorsy” scene in Utah, and everywhere really, can be cliquey, elitist, and sometimes even self-righteous. Foster’s Refillery strives to widen the tent of environmentalism any way we can. Affordability, accessibility, and supporting larger environmental justice and equity movements are embedded in our mission. Since our inception, we’ve partnered with Multicultural Experts Socializing Around Solutions (MESAS), a non-profit that trains LatinX youth for environmental jobs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This is a totally new way to shop! Teaching customers about refilleries and walking them through the ordering process sometimes takes some extra time.
Also, finding suppliers who will work within our low-waste framework is challenging.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Foster’s Refillery is an online refill delivery service. Rather than throwing away your single-use plastic containers when you’re finished with your shampoo, laundry detergent, etc., you can refill with us. You leave your jars outside for us, and we refill for you– like the milkman, but for soap!
We carry all sorts of eco-friendly personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Most of our suppliers are other local businesses, so when you support Fosters’, you’re supporting a whole network of Utah creators!
For orders in Salt Lake City proper, when the weather is permitting, we bike deliveries. Also, we cut down on single-use plastics throughout the supply chain. All of the suppliers we work with refill our bulk containers or have other specialized reuse/ recycling programs.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Sometimes this start-up journey has been lonely. But the longer Foster’s Refillery has been open, the more I realize how intense the support network is among other local businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: fostersrefillery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fostersrefillery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Foster-Refillery-106095107747895/
