The Flyer Refillery is a new initiative at the University of Dayton Bookstore designed to reduce waste and promote circular, sustainable practices on campus. Customers can bring their own containers or purchase glass reusable containers to refill with personal care and cleaning products.
The purpose of a refillery is to reduce single-use plastic items in the personal care and cleaning industry by replacing the constant cycle of buying and throwing away items with reusable containers and refills.
For students living on campus, these personal care and cleaning products are everyday essentials. Current purchasing practices, such as shopping off-campus, using single-use products or making online orders have a significant environmental impact. An on-campus refillery addresses this issue by offering a convenient way to refill everyday products, reducing single-use packaging while promoting sustainable consumption habits.
The Flyer Refillery began as a project proposal from the Hanley Sustainability Institute’s Circularity team to the UD Bookstore. Shortly after, we partnered with the UD Bookstore, specifically Julie Banks and the Bookstore’s marketing team, to get the refillery up and running.
We surveyed student interest and researched sustainable products, and ended up supplying products from Rustic Strength, which is a U.S.-based, non-toxic, refillable cleaning and body care company. By supplying these products, the Flyer Refillery supports ethical production and reinforces UD’s commitment to responsible purchasing practices.
Currently, the Flyer Refillery offers hand soap, body wash, dish soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. The purchasable glass container sizes include a 4-ounce jar; a 4-ounce pump bottle; an 8-ounce pump bottle; and a 16-ounce pump bottle. The bottles are available for purchase next to the front register and the refill products are located back in the personal care section. As an alternative to purchasing a glass bottle, you can also bring your own container.
After finalizing the product selection, we began the marketing process by creating a logo, promotional signage and a social media campaign. All of this work led to the Flyer Refillery Grand Opening on Feb. 10, marking its official launch.
The Hanley Sustainability Institute and the UD Bookstore coordinated this launch event to draw campus attention to the Flyer Refillery by offering free samples of refillable products, offering food and drinks in reusables, and bringing people together to normalize a campus culture of mindful and sustainable consumption. The grand opening was a great success and we look forward to seeing the Flyer Refillery continue to grow.
Using the Flyer Refillery is simple and involves six easy steps. Clear signage is available throughout the refillery and the Bookstore staff are happy to assist when needed.
First, choose a container by either purchasing one of the refillery’s provided containers or bringing your own to reuse. Using the scale at the register, weigh your empty container in ounces and write down the empty weight on your product slip. Next, fill your container with the product of your choice, being mindful of the suggested fill line to avoid overspill. After filling, return to the register to weigh the container again and record the filled weight. Then, bring your completed product slip to the register to pay for your product. Finally, enjoy your product and remember to bring back your empty container for your next refill. Be sure to get a Flyer Refillery rewards punch card so that after eight refills, you get your ninth one for free.
As the Flyer Refillery continues to grow, we hope to expand the products offered based on student interest. Seemingly small actions like switching to reusable personal care and cleaning products can make a meaningful difference, so consider incorporating sustainability and mindful consumption into your daily routine. You can support the Flyer Refillery by purchasing refillable products during the UD Bookstore’s business hours.