🎧 Listen to the full episode here: The Refillery Revolution | The Impact of Refilling over Repurchasing - DIP into it w/ Kate Assaraf
Why Refilleries Matter
Refilleries aren’t just about soap or shampoo.. they’re about reshaping how we think about shopping, sustainability, and community. Instead of chasing convenience and plastic packaging, refill stores encourage intentional choices. As Kate Assaraf explains,
“Performance should always come first — serious haircare, serious skincare, serious sustainability.”
These spaces let you slow down, refill only what you need, and feel good knowing you’re cutting down on waste. It’s not an all or nothing lifestyle shift; it’s about starting small, testing products, and discovering what works best for you.
Supporting Local Communities
One of the biggest impacts of the refillery movement is how it uplifts small business owners. Kate shared why Dip focuses on working with retailers instead of pushing online sales:
“I want someone going and asking a store owner, like, hey, what is the deal with Dip? They can give a real answer, because they’ve used it. And for the most part, everyone that sells Dip uses it, which is a big source of pride.”
By prioritizing local partnerships, Dip helps keep small businesses thriving. When you shop at a refillery, you’re not just buying a product.. you’re supporting a network of passionate store owners who care about their communities.
Tackling the Convenience Culture
Let’s be real, it’s easier to toss a bottle into your grocery cart than to plan a refill trip. But Kate points out that convenience comes at a cost. Single use products pile up quickly, while concentrated and refillable options often save money in the long run.
Take powdered laundry detergent, for example: just a teaspoon per load can last for months. Investing in better, longer lasting products means fewer trips to the store, less waste, and more value over time.
Building Trust Through Transparency
Refilleries are built on trust. Unlike faceless online platforms, these stores are curated by real people who vet every product. As Kate puts it:
“It’s not in their best interest to sell you junk. They have to vet everything because their customers rely on them.”
That means when you walk into a refillery, you’re not guessing if a product is safe or effective. The heavy lifting has already been done.
A Movement That’s Growing
Refilleries are still in their early stages in many places, but momentum is building. From small towns to big cities, entrepreneurs are opening refill shops because they see a better way forward. And customers are responding.. not just for the sustainability factor, but for the human connection and transparency that come with it.
As Kate shared: “I think people are tired. I’m watching this undertow of change happening right under big businesses’ noses. People are sick of brands that don’t have a founder willing to be the face of it. Refilleries change that.”
