Your first time looking for and shopping in a bulk store might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Simply searching for “bulk stores near me” online can sometimes seem unhelpful. Luckily, there’s an app designed to simplify your search! Here’s where to find your closest bulk store and what you will need when you get there.
Using The Refill App to find shops near You
The Refill app was created to help people find places to refill their water bottles. The problem was clear: single-use plastic water bottles create needless waste, but people were unsure where to fill reusable bottles.
The Refill app offers a solution: businesses sign up, inviting reusable water bottle carriers to come in for a refill. Now, people don’t have to worry about whether their refill request is welcome or not; it’s marked on the app (which is free, by the way!).
The app is now home to 274,000 places that offer free drinking water worldwide. Thanks to Refill, people have avoided 100 million pieces of plastic.
But Refill doesn’t stop at water anymore. It now helps you find places that accept reusable containers for hot drinks and takeaways, as well as zero waste shopping. It’s the perfect answer to any of your “refill stores near me” questions.
To find bulk stores near you, just download the app for free and allow it to access your location. The app will light up with nearby refill shops, and you’re ready to make some excellent plastic-free choices.
How to shop at zero waste stores
Bulk stores offer an experience that’s very different from what we’re used to at traditional shops. You’ll find everything from food like oils, legumes, grains, baking goods, and snacks to personal care and home cleaning products, all without packaging!
That means you’ll need to bring your own containers and pay based on the weight of the items you buy. While many shops sell jars and bottles on-site, bringing your own is encouraged and more sustainable long-term.
When you enter the store, first ask the employees to weigh your containers. They’ll mark down the tare weight, so you won’t be charged for the weight of your container, just for the product you’re purchasing. Once that’s out of the way, you’re ready to shop your heart out! Most items will have a scoop to help you add items to your containers. For a full guide with all the nitty-gritty details, check out my blog on shopping bulk stores here.
Searching for bulk stores near me doesn’t have to be complicated. Resources like the Refill app are out there to help make your plastic-free journey as painless as possible.
Leave a comment below with any other advice for finding and shopping at Refill stores!
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