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September 20, 2021 2 min read 47 Comments
Since its launch in 2020, our Rocky Refill Program has expanded from accepting only 1 litre bottles to now accepting our cream deodorant jars, glass candle packaging and most of our skincare packaging!
Empty packaging is returned to our workshop, sanitized, refilled, then goes back on the shelves to be loved again. We’re so proud to share this innovative take back program.
Please note that we are only able to accept packaging returns in-store.
Plastic
Glass
All of our stores are equipped with our special Rocky Refills bins!
After sorting packaging, 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 packaging before refilling.
Any packaging that doesn’t meet our standards is taken to a local nearby facility where it is sorted and responsibly recycled.
Unfortunately we cannot accept mailed empty bottles at this time. Typically the transportation and resources required for our online customers to post empty packaging outweighs the benefits, however we are working towards some alternate options.
In the meantime, if you’re unable to drop your packaging off to us, we recommend using your local recycling facility instead.
Unfortunately, our retail vendors are not able to accept empty packaging at this time. This will be something we will explore in the future.
We ran a trial refill station in our Canmore location however unfortunately we ran into some roadblocks. Thankfully, our Rocky Refill Program has so far been a more effective solution for all!
With the cost of shipping and the machinery needed to sanitize the bottles we unfortunately cannot offer a discount. So, the cost of our refilled packaging will remain the same.
We’re working together with you, our Rocky community, to help reduce waste. We’re all in this together!
September 25, 2023
While I live too far from a store to be able to return bottles, I would like to see your body lotion sold in BIG bottles (like 1 litre size) with NO pump. So many times the pumps have failed or I have to chuck them because they are not recyclable. At least I could refill my smaller container when the pumps work or use the 1 litre container all by itself – with just a flip top. Thanks.
June 30, 2023
Hi there Shayna, thanks for your question!
We conducted extensive experiments with cleaning our white serum bottles but unfortunately had to put a pause on them being included in our Refill Program. The unique challenge with our serums is how pigmented they are (from nutrients like beta carotenes) which sometimes results in bright orange stains on the outside and around the rims of the bottles. Until we can find a solution to effectively remove these, we recommend recycling your empty serum bottle at your local recycling facility. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us via phone, live chat or email : info@rockymountainsoap.com
June 30, 2023
I was wondering if your face serum bottles can be refilled. I brought one back to the store and I was told “no” and they put it in recycling. I was pretty disappointed. I can understand if you can’t reuse the dropper, but it seems the bottle would be fine to reuse?
June 22, 2023
Hello again Layla! At this time, our Baby Bum Balm is not eligible to be returned to the store for the refill program. Thanks for your great question – feel free to reach out to us via phone, live chat or email: inforockymountainsoap.com if you would like to chat further!
June 22, 2023
I am wondering if we can return the butt cream containers.
June 07, 2023
Thank you Layla for your great question! We can certainly appreciate a numbers person.
For Earth Month this year we sold 6,893 1-litre products and 2,123 bottles and jars were sterilized, refilled, and loved again.
We have an admittedly intimidating goal of becoming a zero-waste company, and each year we move closer to making this a reality. It’s no easy feat, however. We are definitely working hard behind the scenes to improve the refill program or depend on it less. Keep an eye out over the next few years as we work towards the improvements.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us via phone, live chat or email: inforockymountainsoap.com
June 07, 2023
What percentages of your products are returned? I am a numbers person and I would love to know.
May 03, 2023
Hi, you should put the dates on your bottles. That way we can see how many years they have been in circulation. My milk bottles used to do that, and I would get milk bottles from 2000, in the year 2023.
May 03, 2023
I am so glad your company has found a way to clean, sterilize and reuse the containers! I will be going to Canmore this summer so I will save the containers and bring them to the store!
April 10, 2023
Hello Sharon! We love that you care enough to ask (& offer to pay). Thank you for caring! Here at Rocky, we are always on a mission to find ways to operate more sustainably. We hope to grow our Rocky Refill program in a way that allows more people to return their bottles outside the area of a local store. We are still looking for ways that can do that, without negating the sustainability benefits.
For now, it would be better to rinse & recycle the containers with your local recycling facility, rather than create the carbon footprint associated with it travelling back. Or, if you have a store you visit sometimes, you could save your bottles up to return them on those special visits! If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us via phone, live chat or email : inforockymountainsoap.com
April 10, 2023
If we were willing to pay our own postage for returns for recycling could that be an option? I only can order online because I live in Northern Alberta and am not close to a store – but I would have no issue paying postage -
February 22, 2023
Hi Brittany, thanks so much for taking the time to message us! We are always looking for ways to operate more sustainably and one day hope to grow our refill program in a way that allows more people to return their bottles outside the area of a local store. Right now, we don't have the capacity to put our refill bins in remote locations, so if you're unable to drop your packaging off to us, we recommend using your local recycling facility instead. Our mission is to remove toxins from the world and we are determined to be gentler on our planet. Thank you for any efforts you make -- we are in this together! If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us via phone, live chat or email : inforockymountainsoap.com
February 22, 2023
Could recycle bins be put in post offices in communities far from a store location? The closest store for me is over 2 hours away so I’m always online shopping. It’s very rare I’m at a store.
August 02, 2022
Thank you all for your fantastic comments of support!
@Jasmine Great questions! You will be happy to know that we are working hard behind the scenes to become more sustainable and reduce our environmental impacts. Our production team is diligently working on improving our packaging and we hope to share our efforts with you soon!
We do not have a limit in place on how many times each container will be reused, however our production team thoroughly inspect each container before and after sanitizing to ensure they meet our high standards. 1L bottles are our largest size available to customers.
@Alyssa You’re spot on! Currently, the postage, transportation and environmental costs of each of our customers shipping empty containers to our workshop is quite significant. Stay tuned for more details as we work to find a solution!
@Karlie Great to hear you’re on board! Although refill stations do have their advantages, unfortunately they didn’t work for us. Our products are all natural (and do not contain chemical preservatives) which led to some quality control related obstacles.
Please feel free to contact us via phone, email or live chat if you’d like to continue the conversation! We’d love to hear from you :)
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!
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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Rocky Mountain Soap Company
September 25, 2023
Thanks Kathy for your message, we are happy to help! We have a push-top style lid alternative that fits the oat lotion that I think you will like and we’ve added one for free to your recent order. We get asked for larger sizes of the lotion from time to time, but we chose the size carefully to ensure freshness until the last drop. For the oat lotion, we recommend using it within 6 months of opening (shorter than most of our other products). With this in mind, the 240ml lotion tends to be the best size for most people. I hope this helps! If there is anything further that we can help you with, please do not be shy!