Kingston can now say no to single-use plastics at The Keep Refillery
*Paid Business Feature*
The Keep Refillery Kingston, which recently opened its doors at 206 Princess Street, is an exciting, new and tangible solution to the single-use plastics crisis. The beautifully renovated and inviting space offers all-natural, cruelty-free, and biodegradable products for you and your home.
The idea behind The Keep Refillery is rooted in the idea that you do not need to throw out another empty jug of laundry detergent, shampoo, or practically any household or personal care product container you can think of, ever again. Rather, bring your empty container to their downtown Kingston storefront and refill it with their biodegradable, plant-based, micro-plastic-free products.
The new store sells everything you need to keep yourself and your home clean – laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoos, conditioners, multi-purpose cleaners, hand soaps and sanitizer, the list goes on. They carry over 150 different products.
The Keep Refillery Kingston is the third such shop opened by Jacquie Rushlow and her husband Andrew Murray. Both have walked away from their careers in the television business to focus full-time on ridding the world of single-use plastics, one community at a time.
“We believe that people want to effect change but a lot of times, they are not sure where to start. Our Refillery offers them a chance to do that,” said Rushlow, adding, “What a lot of people don’t realize is that only 9 per cent of what goes into a recycling bin is actually being recycled. Refilleries keep thousands of kilos of plastic out of landfills each year. Environmentally, things are at a tipping point. We’re running out of time.”
The Keep Refillery is very selective with the products they carry and only deal with suppliers who are accountable for their waste; meaning, when you refill from them, they refill from their suppliers. “We are as close to a zero-waste operation as we can be,” Rushlow stated.
The Keep Refillery has attracted the attention of Nicole Vollebregt, the former Senior Vice President of Global Sustainability at Adidas; Christine Day, the former CEO of Lululemon; and Paul Hollands, the former CEO of A&W, who are excited to join them in bringing Refilleries to all communities.
Rushlow grew up in neighbouring Belleville and when it came to expanding, Kingston was at the top of her list. “The limestone, the architecture, the history, the vibrant downtown core; I always envied people who lived in Kingston and with all the sustainable initiatives here, I couldn’t be more excited to be connected to this community,” she said.
Refilleries have been deemed an essential business so they will remain open despite pandemic restrictions.
The Keep Refillery Kingston is open seven days a week: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, follow them on Instagram @thekeeprefillery_kingston and visit their website at www.thekeeprefillery.com.
This article is sponsored by The Keep Refillery Kingston, who also submitted the content. If you are interested in a Business Feature on Kingstonist, contact [email protected]