Most of us don’t think twice about buying washing-up liquid or hand soap. We pick up a bottle with the weekly shop, use it for a few weeks, and throw it away.
But those small, everyday choices add up.
The average household gets through dozens of plastic cleaning bottles each year—many of which are only used once, even if they’re labelled recyclable. At the same time, more people are starting to question what’s actually in the products we use every day, and how they affect our homes, our health, and the environment around us.
The good news? This is one of the easiest habits to change.
🌍 Why it matters
Single-use plastic adds up
Plastic bottles are designed for convenience—but they come with a long-term cost. They’re used for a short time, yet can last for hundreds of years. Even when recycling is available, not all plastics are actually processed, and many still end up in landfill, incineration or the natural environment.
Reducing single-use plastic doesn’t have to mean a complete lifestyle overhaul. Sometimes it starts with one simple swap.
🧪 Rethinking everyday chemicals
Many mainstream cleaning and personal care products contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and surfactants. These aren’t always harmful in small amounts, but they can:
- be harsh on sensitive skin
- contribute to water pollution
- add unnecessary complexity to products we use daily
More people are now looking for simpler, more transparent alternatives—products that do the job without the extras.
🧠 A wellbeing shift
There’s also something deeper going on. Choosing more sustainable, lower-waste options isn’t just about the environment—it’s about how we want to live.
- Less clutter
- Fewer throwaway habits
- More intentional choices
Small changes like refilling instead of replacing can help create a home that feels calmer, simpler, and more in line with your values.
🛒 Isn’t “eco” already available in supermarkets?
Many of us have already made the switch to more eco-conscious brands like Ecover or Method, and that’s a positive step. These products often use plant-based ingredients and are widely available in supermarkets.
What’s less well known is that both brands are now owned by the global cleaning giant SC Johnson. While the products themselves are still designed with sustainability in mind, they are part of a much larger system built around mass production and single-use packaging.
For some people, that’s absolutely fine. But for others, it raises a question: can we go one step further—not just choosing better products, but changing the system altogether?
But most are still built around the same model:
➡️ buy → use → throw away → repeat
Even with better ingredients, the packaging is usually still single-use plastic.
So the question becomes: can we go one step further?
♻️ A different approach: refill, not replace
Instead of buying a new bottle every time, refill systems are designed to keep the same container in use again and again.
We set up our Fill Circle - Refill scheme the end of 2025. This isn’t a traditional retail business.
It’s a community-led, not-for-profit scheme designed to reduce waste and make eco-friendly products more accessible—without the costs and complexity of running a physical shop.
Simple, local, and focused on impact over profit. All our products are purchased online, you then have them delivered within Chester for free or collect from one of our hubs.
How it works
All orders are placed here online. We encourage you to start with one of our Fill bottles. These contain all the ingredients and look fab as well.
Choose - Collection from one of our hubs or home delivery by one of the team.
If you select a Hub Collection you will get the entry code to the unit. You will find the Full bottles on the shelf. Using a for refill Hub- then take your bottle to the hub and refill is self serve.
Delivery is like the Milk Man - new to the scheme then we will drop off the Full Bottle, ordering refill. You need one of our Fill Bottles as we will swap the empty for a full bottle on your door step.
🧴 Washing-up liquid -
£2.30 for a 500ml refill
Bring your own 500 ml bottle (or start with one for a £2 deposit)
Designed to be effective and long-lasting
Use just 10–15ml (2–3 teaspoons) per bowl
FULL 500ml - Wash Up - Ginger - £4.90 (including bottle price)
REFILL 500ml - Wash Up - Ginger - £2.30
🧼 Hand soap (Fig Leaf)
£2.70 for a 500ml refill
Gentle, pH neutral, and suitable for everyday use
Cleans without drying out your skin
FULL 500ml - Hand Soap - Fig leaf - £5.20 (including bottle price)
FILL 500ml - Hand Soap - Fig Leaf £2.70
The aim is simple:
less waste, fewer unnecessary ingredients, and no need to keep buying new bottles.