Every year, the average American uses (and discards) about 110 pounds of single-use plastic. And by 2060, plastic use in packaging is expected to double from 2019. A lot of those wrappers, containers, and jugs end up in oceans and rivers, but even if they don’t, the mere process of making plastic emits millions of metric tons of greenhouse gases. It’s those grisly statistics that have inspired the opening of refill shops—small businesses that sell soaps, lotions, and other household products without the packaging. There, shoppers bring in their own containers (or use ones provided by the shop) and pay for their product by weight, which almost entirely eliminates waste. The idea is gaining traction; environmental campaigning network Greenpeace has reported a surge in popularity of refill shops on social media. Long story short: Caring about the planet is cool now, and what better time to jump on the bandwagon than Earth Day? So, we’ve rounded up six refill shops in Denver you can visit to restock on everything from shampoo and cosmetics to kombucha and dog treats.
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