Where Refill Shopping Is Thriving
Refill and low-waste stores have popped up across the country over the past decade, but some cities have developed a critical mass that makes package-free shopping genuinely convenient. These are the cities where you can build a real refill routine without driving an hour each way.
Portland, Oregon
Portland might be the most refill-friendly city in the country. The culture here leans hard into local, independent, and low-waste, and the store density reflects that. From full-service bulk grocers to neighborhood refilleries specializing in cleaning products and body care, Portland gives you options no matter which part of the city you live in.
The city also benefits from Oregon's longstanding culture around food co-ops and bulk buying, which means even conventional grocery stores tend to have better bulk sections than average.
Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn packs a surprising number of refill-focused shops into its neighborhoods. Greenpoint, Prospect Heights, and Williamsburg all have dedicated package-free grocers where you can fill jars with everything from granola to laundry soap. The walkability of these neighborhoods means many customers treat their refill store like a corner bodega, popping in a few times a week for just what they need.
San Francisco, California
The Bay Area has been an early adopter of refill retail since the concept arrived stateside. San Francisco proper has multiple refill shops, and the broader Bay Area (including Berkeley and Oakland) rounds out the options. The city's progressive bag bans and composting mandates create a consumer base that is already comfortable with low-waste habits.
Browse San Francisco refill stores
Los Angeles, California
LA is a sprawling city, which makes density harder, but the refill scene has grown steadily. Stores are scattered from the Eastside to the Westside, with strong representation in neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Echo Park, and Santa Monica. Several LA stores also run delivery services, which helps bridge the distance gap.
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Austin, Texas
Austin's refill stores lean toward body care, home goods, and botanical products, which fits the city's wellness-oriented culture. The food co-op scene here also means good bulk food access beyond dedicated refill shops. For a Southern city, Austin punches well above its weight in low-waste retail.
Denver, Colorado
Denver and the surrounding metro area (including Aurora) have built a solid refill infrastructure. ZERO Market in Stanley Marketplace was one of the state's first dedicated zero-waste stores and helped kick off a broader movement in the Front Range region. The outdoor culture here means customers tend to already think about sustainability in practical terms.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle's combination of environmental awareness, strong co-op culture, and rainy weather (people spend a lot of time at home, which means a lot of cleaning and cooking) has created fertile ground for refill stores. The city has several refilleries alongside well-stocked co-ops with robust bulk sections.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Twin Cities have a thriving co-op network that predates the modern refill movement, and dedicated refill stores have layered on top of that foundation. Minneapolis residents have easy access to both bulk groceries and refill-specific shops for cleaning and body care products.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago's refill scene is newer but growing fast. Several neighborhoods now have dedicated package-free shops, and the city's density and public transit make them accessible without a car. Look for stores in Logan Square, Wicker Park, and the South Loop.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville has emerged as a surprising refill hub in the Southeast. Multiple refill and low-waste stores serve different parts of the metro area, offering everything from cleaning product refills to body care. It is proof that refill shopping is not just a coastal phenomenon.
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Find Stores in Your City
This list is just the start. Refill stores are opening in mid-size cities and smaller towns across the country. Search the full Refill Map directory to find stores near you, or submit a store we might be missing.