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We are experiencing shipping delaysand cannot guarantee delivery times. There is still time to shop in store.
September 20, 2021 3 min read 32 Comments
Our Rocky Refills program gives your bottles and jars a second life. Once we collect empty containers from our in-store Rocky Refill bins, they are returned to our workshop, to be sanitized, refilled and then back on the shelves to be loved again.
Since its 2020 launch, our Rocky Refill Program has evolved to accept more than just 1-liter bottles—it now also includes select skincare containers.
How does it work?
Please note that we are only able to accept Rocky Refill container returns in-store.
Which packaging is eligible to be refilled?
Plastic
Glass
Which stores are participating?
All of our stores are equipped with our special Rocky Refills bins.
How do you sanitize the containers?
After sorting containers, we wash and sanitize everything with hot water and then use a compressed air system to dry. In a step toward a more sustainable process, rather than using an alcohol-based sanitizer, we are now trialing a UV-C light to sterilize our skincare containers before refilling.
What happens to the containers that can't be reused?
Any containers that don't meet our standards are taken to a local facility where they are sorted and responsibly recycled.
I'm an online shopper and don't live near a store, can I mail back my empty containers?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept mailed empty containers at this time. Typically, the transportation and resources required for our online customers to post empty containers outweigh the benefits, however we are working towards some alternate options. In the meantime, if you’re unable to drop your containers off to us, we recommend using your local recycling facility instead.
Which products come in a 1L refill size?
Will your retail or wholesale vendors be offering this service?
Unfortunately, our retail vendors are not able to accept empty p containers at this time. This will be something we will explore in the future.
Will you be offering a refill service where I can refill my own bottle?
We ran a trial refill station in our Canmore location however we ran into some roadblocks. Thankfully, our Rocky Refill Program has so far been a more effective solution for all.
Will you be offering a discount to those that bring back their empty containers?
With the cost of shipping and the machinery needed to sanitize used containers, we unfortunately cannot offer a discount. So, the cost of our refilled containers will remain the same.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
Through our Rocky Refills program, we work together with you, our Rocky community, to help reduce waste. At Rocky, we see ourselves as both students and stewards of the Earth, actively making choices that benefit our customers and the planet. Every decision we make about our packaging is carefully considered and our work is never done. We're always learning, discovering and striving to do better, always. Thanks for being a part of this journey.
Keep learning about our initiatives and environmental efforts below:
August 02, 2022
Thrilled about this program. Love the efforts of this great company and being able to bring back my big refill bottles.
August 02, 2022
Very exciting – I try to use products with sustainable as much as possible. Is there a limit on how often you reuse the containers? and will you ever offer larger than 1L?
August 02, 2022
Much love from Texas. While I can’t mail empties to you yet, I am grateful you provide this service. “Don’t mess with Texas” has always been a known phrase here to encourage folks not to litter but we are one of the last states to provide recycling services with trash service. It’s still not available in most areas. I’ve only seen separate cans in public in Houston. I always bring things home to recycle. 20 mins down the road my parents don’t have recycling services. With that said, I’m in love with your products and can’t wait to contribute to reusing. Thank you for all you do.
August 02, 2022
I appreciate the reusing program in store, however I do wonder about introducing a mail back program. Does the packaging and fuel required to get the plastic bottle back to the store outweigh saving a plastic bottle that could be recycled in a local program?
August 02, 2022
I noticed a few other SK comments so I thought I’d add mine! I’ve been holding onto my 1 L bottles for when we (or someone we know) goes to an in person store! I love that this is an option as some “zero waste” products don’t work well for me. I look forward to a possible online option but am so thankful that this is where Rocky is starting out!
August 02, 2022
This is incredible, I’ve been waiting for this moment to arrive!! 5 stars company & products, all around!
August 02, 2022
Three cheers for you guys! Awesome start to a really worthwhile project! We are ALL in this together!
August 02, 2022
Yeah!!! I have Been hanging onto all my glass empty bottles for quiet a while waiting for this, big drop coming you way!
August 02, 2022
YAAAAAA!!! Best news ever… I knew I was hoarding all my containers for a reason! 🤗
August 02, 2022
I love this – but would really like to know more about why the refill your own bottle didn’t work in store? I currently do a lot of this type of purchasing and it works fine in the 2 places I go that offer it. From the outside this seems like a much cheaper option for you as a store, so wondering why would choose to go the more expensive route.
August 02, 2022
I love this initiative! However, I REALLY wish there was another option for the body lotions! Either a larger sized refill bottle or even one that doesn’t have the pump…The number of pumps I’ve thrown out over the years really bugs me, especially when they are so easily reusable. Thanks for being awesome!
August 02, 2022
This is great news! I just got your email and got so excited! I’m already refilling some cleaning products at home, and I’ve been waiting for you guys to come up with a service like this. This makes me want to buy more of your product. I know I may be asking too much, but I would love it if your moisturizers could come in a refillable package as well. I’m a big fan of your products.
Thank you!
August 02, 2022
Thank you so much for doing this! This is something that I think should be widespread (all food containers should be standardized so that they can be returned, cleaned, and reused) — let’s eliminate single-use plastics and reduce the need for recycling processing of glass too! Congratulations!
August 02, 2022
Oh man, I would love a tub of the baby bum butter.
August 02, 2022
Love that RMSC is doing this refill program! I’ll be saving up my 1L bottles for when I can make it to Toronto, and will happily purchase products with the “I’ve been refilled” sticker!
June 28, 2021
Just bought my first 1L! Yay!! Had to stock on that amazing limited edition summer scent!! Haha :) I just love this company. Such a wonderful initiative. Every little bit helps :)
June 28, 2021
I would love to be able to do this & will hang onto my 1 L. bottles to bring with me sometime when we can travel again from Ontario to Canmore! I still have the body butter I bought at the Canmore store just before the pandemic began. It was a “naked” puck in a cupcake liner without the usual plastic casing & I really love using it this way!
May 10, 2021
This is a great initiative, and I’m excited to participate!
I hope there are more product refill ideas to come. I would really love to be able to refill the plastic body butter sticks.
April 22, 2021
As a customer who was asking about this kind of program a number of years ago, this is wonderful news! But I’m in Nova Scotia now, and there’s no store nearby. Looking forward to the day we can mail the bottles to you.
April 22, 2021
Even though I don’t live near a store and can’t participate, I’m glad to know you’re doing this. I buy the 1L bottles but have been transitioning away from some of my other Rocky faves (toner, hand butter) because there is too much plastic. I’d be thrilled if you could offer the toner in glass like you used to, or a metal tin for hand butter.
April 23, 2021
I’m grateful for your efforts on this. The refill program is my main reason for sticking with RMSC!
April 22, 2021
This is awesome! I will keep all my 1 L bottles, although I live in Saskatchewan, my sister lives right in Canmore so I will send them back with her when she visits so that they can be reused and stay out of landfills or a recycle depot :)
March 01, 2021
very good blog thanks for posting.
July 06, 2020
While it is a great start, it isn’t feasible for me as I don’t have a Rocky store where I live (Ottawa). I shop when in TO or online store. Speaking specifically for Body, hand butters there is no refill. If you can make refills for a stainless steel tube or tin (one time purchase) and then sell solid refills it would be great for everyone.
I do not buy liquids due to travel and these are the items that I waste the most.
June 29, 2020
Awesome!!! I really hope one day there is a mail in option so I can send mine back from Saskatchewan. That or I need to make more regular trips to Banff! (Not a bad idea….)
June 16, 2020
Awesome!
June 15, 2020
Why oh why can’t we mail ’em to one of your retail stores ??? I live in Colorado & I want to stop the plastic monster !!!
June 15, 2020
Great program!!
June 15, 2020
Fantastic news! Can’t wait until you expand to the smaller sizes too ❤️
June 15, 2020
Love that you are doing a reusable program for reducing plastic waste! Is hot water sufficient for sterilization? Thank you Rocky for being amazing ♥️
June 11, 2020
This is fabulous. I hope you will be offering it with all your glass bottles too! Thanks for being awesome
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Jasmine
August 02, 2022
While this is a great option and initiative, we need to start creating less waste in general. If you could create biodegradable packaging, containers, etc. or offer actual refills for all of your products, the world would be a much better place!