Zero-Waste Small Business Profile: Fulfill Shoppe
|AD| As Fulfill Shoppe Ambassadors, we are compensated for this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I’m so excited to talk about one of our favourite Tri-Cities small businesses on the blog today! Fulfill Shoppe has been a huge part of my zero-waste journey these last couple years and is a sustainable small business that I love supporting. We’ve mentioned them on our blog before in our Sustainable Businesses to Know About series, but here is a more in-depth introduction.
Who is Fulfill Shoppe?
Fulfill Shoppe is a zero-waste, online refill store that was started by two sisters, Pam and Lori, in the Tri-Cities. (For those that don’t know, the Tri-Cities is an area inclusive of three cities–Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam–in British Columbia, Canada). They have a wide range of bulk grocery items, as well as cleaning, beauty, and other home essential products. They’ve even started adding some fresh and frozen items this year! Most items are delivered in jars that are returned on your next order.
The idea for their sustainable small business was born out of a desire to leave the planet in a good state for their children. The amount of plastic and waste that shows up in our lives can be overwhelming, so Pam and Lori created a way for people to reduce that.
They will often say “zero-waste(ish)” to acknowledge that going zero-waste is a process. These ladies are walking the talk and openly sharing their journey. I really suggest following them on their socials! Find them here: Instagram and Facebook.
Why we Love Fulfill Shoppe
1. We love shopping small.
We love supporting small businesses because they are so important to our communities. If you’re wondering why, we have an entire post about 6 reasons to shop small and local. The fact that Fulfill Shoppe is a small, local, women-led business is a big part of why we love them.
2. Shopping with them is easy.
I’m not a big online shopper in general and even less-so when it comes to groceries because the process isn’t something I’m a big fan of. With Fulfill Shoppe, though, I feel like the process is really streamlined and easy. I also have confidence in the people behind the business and know that if I ever had a problem or question, I could reach out with it.
3. They walk the zero-waste talk.
The fact they embrace the “progress over perfection” mindset resonates with me because that’s how I approach life too. I love seeing all of the ways they are intentional about making low-waste choices for their business–from using an electric vehicle to reusing boxes for delivery orders to using seed paper to write notes to customers. All of the little and big actions add up to make such a difference!
How Fulfill Shoppe has Helped my Low Waste Journey
Plastic food packaging is by far the biggest area of waste in my life. When I did a waste audit at the beginning of the year, it was very apparent. I also find that plastic usually ends up in my life because it’s convenient. So I needed to tackle the problem in a way that was sustainable for my lifestyle. Fulfill Shoppe has really been that answer for me.
To start, I chose a few specific products that I would only buy from Fulfill Shoppe to eliminate the waste of those items. I started with some zero-waste snacks and pantry staples like flour and oats. Since the order process and delivery was so simple, I was able to form a habit of using these items and returning the jars. It felt so good to have no waste!
As I learned more about going zero-waste, I also started to try out other products like shampoo bars and reusable snack bags (did I mention snacks seem to be my big waste creator?!). I’ve been able to explore products from a number of other small businesses through Fulfill Shoppe and have found loads of convenient zero-waste items I now love!
How to Shop with Fulfill Shoppe
Shopping with Fulfill Shoppe is really easy! Head to their website, browse their products and fill up your cart. They deliver twice a week and you have until noon the day before delivery day to place your order. Your items get delivered to you in reusable glass jars that you return on your next order day by leaving them outside for pick up.
You don’t need to be home for delivery if you have a safe place for your order to be left out. They deliver all their orders in an electric car and you’ll get a text message letting you know when yours has been dropped off.
Delivery areas include: Tri-Cities (Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody including Anmore and Belcarra), Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Langley. Surrey is coming soon too! There are a couple of pick up locations in the Tri-Cities and you can find all the details here on their website.
We’re Fulfill Shoppe Ambassadors!
As you can tell, we’re Fulfill Shoppe fans. We are so excited to partner with them and become Fulfill Shoppe Ambassadors! We’ve shared a lot (especially on Instagram) about them since we launched our blog. We even purchased items for our first ever giveaway from their shop because we trusted their products so much. It just seems like such a good fit to officially partner up! We’re looking forward to sharing more about our zero-waste journey and how Fulfill Shoppe is helping us along the way.
Have you ever shopped with Fulfill Shoppe? Or do you have a refill store near you that you shop with?
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36 Comments
crystalsandcurls
This store sounds brilliant! I’ll have to google and see if there are any like it in our area 🙂
A Sustainably Simple Life
I hope you find something near you! They are fantastic 🙂
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
Sounds awesome. I buy my hand & body soap, laundry soap, dishwasher tabs and a lot of other products from a local small bulk soap supply business. They also sell essential oils, and a lot of other zero-waste products. I usually go there and shop in person with my own containers but I have ordered online for delivery a couple of times during the pandemic. They deliver for free in their “soapmobile” in our local area.
I also shop at Bulk Barn using my own containers for a lot of grocery items and snack foods.
I just wish there were more of these stores around.
A Sustainably Simple Life
I love the name “soapmobile” It sounds like a great store! 🙂
Is Bulk Barn allowing you to bring your own containers again? I was going to look into them for some items but then the pandemic started, so that was bad timing.
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
Yes, Bulk Barn reinstated their reusable container program a few months ago. I was so happy about that.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Awesome! 😀
thetravelvine
This is such a great idea, and one I would love to have where we live, but there is nothing like it at the moment. I am also on a mission to reduce the amount of plastic I use too. I am very conscious of it, but sometimes I just have no choice. We do recycle though and I reuse as much as possible. My biggest concern is the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean. I think the girls at Fulfill Shoppe that created such a great product with is amazing to the environment and stops you buying new plastic containers each week is a win win.
A Sustainably Simple Life
I’m hopeful that stores like Fulfill Shoppe will become more readily available to people. That’s so great you’ve been paying attention to the amount of plastic in your life and are taking steps to reduce it. I definitely understand how sometimes there is no choice to use some. Every bit makes a difference though, so that’s awesome you’re making changes 🙂
CristinaR
Oh this sounds absolutely amazing! Such a great service you have there and truly wish we could get something similar over here. It sounds like Fulfill Shoppe helps everyone get their groceries zero waste and helping the locals too! Thanks for shairng x
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Cristina! I hope something like this opens up near you all!
Basic With Life
What a brilliant idea, we need more of this. I recycle where possible and I’m always reminding others but I don’t think that enough anymore. We all need to do more and businesses like this make it easier. Thanks for sharing.
A Sustainably Simple Life
That’s great to hear you’re so proactive with recycling and getting others to do the same 🙂
Steve Kennedy
Great blog. Really interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Steve!
Her Digital Coffee
I love this! I hope something like this comes to my city soon. I’m glad more businesses are starting to offer alternatives and make it super easy to switch. Thanks for sharing!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you! It is encouraging to see businesses like Fulfill get started and the alternatives that are out there now. I hope something comes near you soon too
readandreviewit1
Love this! Fulfill Shoppe sound absolutely amazing, I love how you can leave your jars therefore getting rid of the waste. It sounds like they have a great range of products too! Thanks for sharing, I’ll have to see if there’s somewhere similar to here that delivers in my area.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you so much! It is really so convenient! 🙂
Jaya Avendel
There are many physical refill and bulk stores but none in my area, so I love the idea of a refill shop that you can buy from online! Getting things that you use often like flour, oats, and snacks in glass jars is a wonderful way to cut back on the endless packaging these staples result in otherwise.
Thanks for sharing!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Jaya! The online and delivery option is so great and was a life saver during Covid times!
Molly @ Transatlantic Notes
What an incredible idea and business model! I think this is such a good way to introduce people to zero-waste grocery, especially online! I know of places similar to this but they are too far away so if things were available like this to shop on the internet, that is a great idea! Thanks for sharing this, I hope this becomes a more readily available option!
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thank you Molly! I’ve been so inspired by the entrepreneurs behind Fulfill Shoppe. They’ve really created something amazing!
ThePlainSimpleLife
This sounds absolutely fantastic! Unfortunately there’s nothing like it where I live but I sure hope there would be in the future!
Eri Tz
Sustainability is something we have to take into account in all aspects of our lives and I thing that these girls had a great idea! I wish there was something like this where I live but unfortunately there isn’t.
Great business idea also ☺️
A Sustainably Simple Life
So true! There are so many areas—big and small—of our lives to make those sustainable changes 🙂
A Sustainably Simple Life
Hopefully something comes to your area soon!
Jenny in Neverland
I wish there were a brand like this in the UK (that I know of) because I love the look of them and it’s such a great step for sustainability!
A Sustainably Simple Life
They really are fantastic. Hopefully something like Fulfill will come out your way 🙂
Kelly Diane
Its great that your ambassadors for this amazing concept. I wish there was something like this where I’m too.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Kelly! 🙂
Corinne
This looks like a great place to shop! There’s a weigh shop like this near to me and I need to go in!
Corinne x
A Sustainably Simple Life
It would definitely be worth a try! 🙂
Karalee
Fulfill Shoppe sounds amazing! I’ll have to see if there is a brand like this in Denmark
A Sustainably Simple Life
I hope you find something! 🙂
bournemouthgirl
I haven’t heard of this brand before. But a great way to have zero waste which is so important for the environment.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Reducing our waste really is so important 🙂