THE BEST ECO-FRIENDLY SHOPS IN MICHIGAN TO SUPPORT THIS EARTH DAY

Clean Refillery

1136 S Washington Ave #1/2, Lansing, MI 48910

The only zero-waste refillery shop in Lansing is working to leave the world a little better than they found it! Owner Alexa Hecksel started the shop in 2020 after struggling to find eco-friendly personal care and home products.

The chic shop stocks everything you need for your home as well as essential personal care items. You can load up on as much or as little as you need of everyday products like shampoo, detergent, soaps, and more while also checking out their many zero and low-waste items like produce bags, deodorant, toothpaste, hair ties, and so much more! They source their products from sustainable companies and brands, including some Michigan-based companies.

The majority of the products in the shop are vegan and cruelty-free, except for beeswax wraps, beeswax candles, and wool dryer balls.

Refill Emporium 

21524 Harper Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080

Childhood friends Whitney Wagner and Shannon Sweetwood shared a passion for protecting the environment, which fueled them to start The Refill Emporium first as a pop-up in 2021 and then as a storefront in January 2022. Their goal is to share their passion with the community to leave the planet in a better state for future generations.

The shop is the first of its kind in Macomb County and only stocks eco-friendly, cruelty-free, plastic-free, refillable, and reasonably priced products. Customers will find almost everything they need for their daily life, from balm for sensitive baby skin to compostable floss made from bamboo. Many products are also available for refills, such as soap, detergents, body wash, etc. Also, if you can’t make it to the shop, they do ship throughout the US. Aside from products, they have also begun offering workshops and classes—the first will be April 2, 2022, and will focus on creating sustainable floral wreaths. 

Most products are vegan; just double-check for beeswax, honey, or wool.

The Refillery 

800 Cottage view Dr. Suite 10, Traverse City, MI 49684

Whether you’re heading up to Traverse City for a weekend getaway or are lucky enough to call the area home, you can’t miss stopping into the town’s only refill and zero-waste shop. The charming store was started by owner, Sarah Lange, who was frustrated with not having any options in the area and constantly having to turn to the internet to find products that were not only friendly for the Earth but were also toxic-free.

The shop works hard to be a “one-stop waste-free shop,” offering products in bulk and products in zero or low waste packaging. Customers will find a fantastic selection of products for their home and personal care, including harder-to-find items like bamboo band-aids, kid’s products, craft cocktail kits, and more! They always have a rotating selection of things like herbal powders and soaps made in the Traverse City area.

Most of their products are vegan; just look out for beeswax and wool.

BYOC Co.

255 E Liberty St # 215, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

After graduating college in 2020, BYOC’s owner, Emma Hess, was unable to find a job, and while deep in quarantine, it dawned on her that while Ann Arbor offered great bulk food options, there wasn’t an option for home and body products. BYOC initially started as a pop-up shop throughout Southeast Michigan, and after eight months, Hess realized that Ann Arbor really needed a brick-and-mortar location.

Right in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, BYOC offers customers the opportunity to refill a huge variety of products—detergent, fabric softener, cleaning products, soaps, shampoos, and much more. Aside from filling up your bottles, customers can also grab eco-friendly products for their pets, face and body products, compost bins, and more! 

Almost all of their products are vegan—a few contain beeswax, lanolin, or wool.

Essence by Noble

Although this isn’t a refill or zero-waste shop, it is a fantastic line of vegan, low-waste, palm oil-free soaps, deodorants, and lip balms—made in metro Detroit! Their lineup of products is currently only available online, but sometimes you can catch them at local events and festivals. Be sure to check out their handmade soaps that are available in a wide range of fun scents, and when you need to ensure that you smell fresh, their deodorant in either lavender or tea tree will have your back!