Containers Do Not Have to Be Complicated
The number one thing that stops people from visiting a refill store is the container question. What do I bring? How clean does it need to be? What if I bring the wrong size? The short answer: almost any clean container works, and stores are set up to make this easy for you.
Best Containers for Dry Goods
For bulk grains, spices, nuts, flour, sugar, and similar products, you want containers with secure lids. Great options include:
- Mason jars: The classic choice. Wide-mouth jars are easiest to fill. Available in sizes from 4 ounces (great for spices) to half-gallon (good for rice and oats).
- Repurposed glass jars: Old peanut butter jars, salsa jars, jam jars. Free and perfectly functional.
- Plastic containers with screw lids: Tupperware, deli containers, or any food-safe container with a tight seal.
- Cloth bags: Drawstring bags work well for items like rice, beans, and nuts. They are lightweight, which means less tare weight to subtract.
Best Containers for Liquids
Soap, oils, vinegars, and other liquid products need containers that seal reliably. Good choices:
- Pump bottles: Ideal for dish soap and hand soap. Bring the original bottle from your last purchase.
- Spray bottles: For all-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner.
- Glass bottles with screw caps: Great for oils and vinegars.
- Plastic jugs: For laundry detergent and other products you use in larger quantities.
How Tare Weight Works
Tare weight is simply the weight of your empty container. Before you fill up, the store weighs your empty jar and records that weight. After you fill it, they weigh the full jar and subtract the tare weight so you only pay for the product inside.
Some stores have you weigh containers yourself at a scale near the entrance. Others have staff handle it at checkout. Either way, the process takes a few seconds.
Pro tip: Write the tare weight on the bottom of your jar with a piece of tape or a grease pencil. That way you skip the weighing step on future visits.
What About Allergen Cross-Contamination?
If you have food allergies, container cleanliness matters. Wash containers thoroughly between uses, especially if you are switching what you store in them. Most refill stores also keep scoops and bins separated to minimize cross-contamination, but it is always worth asking about their allergen practices.
If you have a severe allergy (like tree nuts or peanuts), talk to staff about which bins are near allergens and whether shared scoops are used.
Containers You Should Avoid
- Containers that previously held non-food items: Do not use a bottle that held cleaning products for food. Chemical residue can be difficult to remove completely.
- Cracked or chipped glass: These can break during filling or transport.
- Containers without lids: Open containers are messy and impractical for most products.
- Very large containers: If you bring a 5-gallon bucket, call ahead. Most stores are set up for jars and bottles, not industrial quantities.
What If You Forget Your Containers?
It happens to everyone. Nearly every refill store has a solution:
- Most stores sell affordable jars and bottles at the counter
- Many keep a bin of donated or returned containers you can grab for free
- Paper bags are often available for dry goods in a pinch
Do not let the container question keep you from visiting. Stores want your business and they have thought through this problem.
Building a Container Kit
Regular refill shoppers tend to settle into a system. A practical starter kit looks like this:
- 3 to 4 medium mason jars (16 oz) for grains and baking supplies
- 2 to 3 small jars (4 to 8 oz) for spices
- 1 pump bottle for dish soap
- 1 spray bottle for all-purpose cleaner
- 1 cloth bag for produce or bulk nuts
Keep the kit in a reusable bag or a box. Leave it by the door or in your car so it is ready when you need it.
Find a Store and Start Filling
Grab your jars, find a refill store near you, and give it a try. The first visit is the learning curve. After that, it becomes routine.