FAQ
General
Refill is better than Landfill. But why?
Every time a new product is made from raw materials, large amounts of energy are consumed. When it’s eventually disposed of, that’ll consume energy too. In most cases, recycling uses less energy, therefore contributing less impact to climate change.
Less energy is still energy though, sure recycling is a better option than the landfill, but it’s not the best…
Whilst a product may be created with the intention to be recycled, this doesn’t always happen. In fact, 80% of plastic produced has been sent to landfill or ended up in our natural environment.
Let’s “turn off the tap” on plastic pollution by refilling the same container multiple times to save our planet and in turn, communities all around the world.
Click through to the REFILL sustainability page to learn more.
REFILL supports the transition towards a circular economy whilst providing products that are better for our bodies and the earth.
Our REFILL Point help to achieve this by increasing the accessibility to a new way of consuming in two ways:
1. Accessible prices: our products are made by us, in bulk, right here in Hong Kong. Removing the middleman, individual unit packaging and international shipping means better prices - savings which we pass onto you.
2. Accessible purchase points: Do you know what makes refilling easier? Actually being able to refill. Hong Kong’s a big place, we walk a lot, we’re busy and carrying our bottles to the other side of the city to refill isn’t hugely attractive. By the end of 2023 we aim to have 50 REFILL machines across Hong Kong and 200 by the end of 2024. We aim to make refilling as convenient as it is now to buy regularly packaged personal care products, creating a ‘new norm’.
We believe Hong Kong can be a REFILL leader on the world stage. Living a completely zero-waste lifestyle is not easy, but making small changes to the way we consume can be; together we can achieve more than we can alone. By supporting REFILL, you’re tackling the global issue of plastic pollution by reducing waste (and saving money while doing it - nice).
Restore our planet, improve your health and also save your money - need we say more?
The impact you make on the earth, your body and your wallet is up to you; refill your bottles as many times as you’d like - each time you do, you’re part of a collective of heroes making small changes for great change.
Sure is, REFILL was founded in Hong Kong and is operated by Jeff and Dora Lam (who were both born and raised in Hong Kong too!).
Click here to see the locations of our REFILL Points in Hong Kong. Can’t see one near you? We’d love to get your preferred location on the map! Click here to register your interest.
Great news, they’re always open! Our super user-friendly REFILL Points provide you with 24/7 refilling service.
We’ve made our REFILL Points especially user friendly and quick to use. The touch screen will guide you through the process. Here’s a quick recap though:
1. First you’ll be asked if you’ve brought your own bottle or if you are just starting your REFILL journey and require one. If you’re bottless, you can choose to buy one and the machine will deposit one for you.
2. Next, you’ll need to select which products you’d like and how many ml’s you require.
3. Get out your octopus and tap to pay.
4. The green light will begin to flash above the tap which will expel your liquid. Get your bottle in position and press the green button! Hold still while you change the world.
5.Screw on the lid, walk away knowing you’ve joined a collective of heroes making small changes for a great impact. Tell your friends how they can join too ;)
More visual? Click here to watch the ‘how to’ video.
It’s better if you do - reuse what you’ve already got at home! Nothing suitable? Rest assured, BYOB is not the only way. Our REFILL Points are stocked with bottles for you to purchase so you can start your REFILL journey. These bottles are intended to be used again and again and again and again (you get the point) so be sure to bring it back next time!
1. Remove all prior residue from your container with warm water and soap. Give it a good shake and rinse with clean water.
2. Now to sanitise: got yourself a glass bottle? This can be sanitized by placing it in boiling water for 5 minutes.
For plastic bottles, we recommend avoiding the boiling water and rather giving it a final rinse with diluted vinegar (1 part vinegar, 4 parts water). Shake the liquid around and then leave overnight. Discard and rinse out with water the next day.
3. Dry the containers completely, you’re ready to REFILL!
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Product
Our products range from body care products to home care products.
They are all made in Hong Kong. Purchasing locally produced goods not only means that you could support local industry, it’s also one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Transportation generates one of the largest shares of global greenhouse gas emissions, which makes goods that require travel more carbon-intensive.
Reduce shipping cost also meaning that you could get the goods at a more fair price - win-win!
Yes, all of REFILL products are vegan.
Yes. That means that we no animal testing is performed on our finished products or ingredients during production.
We believe that testing on animals is completely unnecessary. Rabbits, cats, and even dogs are subjected to chemicals that we would never consider putting on our own pets. They are kept in small cages and often wind up maimed, blinded, or killed.
More than that, cruelty-free products are generally healthier and better for your skin, as bad chemicals like parabens, sulfates are avoided.
All of our items have a 12 months shelf life.
We've listed every ingredient found in our products here. Our products are gentle enough to use around kids and pets. They're denatured alcohol, paraben, silicone, mineral oil and SLS & SLES free.
REFILL’s products are made from plant-derived ingredients, filled with a refreshing scent of nature.
All of our products are naturally made with organic ingredients. If any hesitations, we'd recommend that you consult your doctor with our product ingredients listed on the product description page.
Each of the REFILL Point offers reusable plastic containers for $5. We encourage you to reuse the plastic container for your next purchase.
We don’t mind people using plastic, we just are not big fans of single-use plastic. If everyone could reuse old plastic containers, that is great.
We would like to make sustainability more accessible. In case you have forgotten to bring your own container, it will still be nice if you attempt your first try of refill habit.
Payment
We accept Octopus Card at this stage, and more payment methods are coming. Stay tuned!
Please Contact us if you have an issue with an order and we will review requests on a case by case basis.
Membership
Yes, once you have entered the phone number, the points will be earned automatically.
Yes, once you have entered the phone number, the points will be earned automatically.
Yes, once you have entered the phone number, the points will be earned automatically.
Sustainability
Each of the REFILL Point offers reusable plastic containers for $5. We encourage you to reuse the plastic container for your next purchase.
We don’t mind people using plastic, we just are not big fans of single-use plastic. If everyone could reuse old plastic containers, that is great.
We would like to make sustainability more accessible. In case you have forgotten to bring your own container, it will still be nice if you attempt your first try of refill habit.