Living sustainably is becoming more fashionable but has a long way to go. While it is important that in our house we incorporate actions such as separating waste or reusing before throwing away, the market must also adapt and offer consumers options that take care of the planet. The cosmetics and home industry has a strong impact on the planet because a large part of its products contain microplastics (such as cleaning products) and in almost all cases the packaging is disposable plastics. What alternative do we have? Look for products made with natural ingredients and that have reusable packaging or, even better, that are refillable.
Thus was born Refill-Lab, “the first Argentine company of refill of cosmetic and household products”. “We have been in the cosmetics market for 16 years and we had the idea of putting together a new company that is sustainable. With all the experience we had and the worldwide trends of natural formulations and concept of REFILL we decided during the pandemic to create REFILL LAB”, say Paula and Fernanda, partners and sisters-in-law. We launched in January 2021, after 10 months of product development, formulas, blends, packaging, certifications. Our first launch was six products in seven fragrances each. We also accompany this with a wide variety of accessories to use them. In August we launched 18 more products, and in November we launched more novelties, “say the owners who have the option to sell in 2-liter drums. On the profitability of a company with clear sustainable objectives, they said: “We work a lot on processes and technology, both to develop and produce and to market, therefore, it is perfectly possible to have a company with reasonable rates of profitability being at the same time consistent with our purpose.”
From Filo.news we ask them who their business is aimed at: “The ideal customer is anyone who wants to join the change and contribute their grain of sand to reduce waste and environmental footprint. We’re having a lot of positive impact since we launched. Some of them were already consuming natural products or refill of other things… and others are new to the concept.” Regarding the impact that Refill-Lab has on the environment, they detailed: “For every drum that a customer buys, there are between 10 and 20 bottles less that will pollute the environment. As an example, if a customer buys us a 2-liter drum of liquid soap, one of sanitizer and one of home fragrance, it implies that that client and we, together we are saving the environment between 30 and 60 bottles between 100 and 200 ml that go to the trash. From January to date, we have saved together with our customers more than 70,530 bottles that would be increasing the landfills today. We are sure that this will continue to grow and we hope to be able to talk about millions very soon.”
“Our biggest challenge is to provide the environment with the reduction of millions of plastic containers per year. We are a company that seeks development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the capacity of future generations. We seek a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being”, summarize the creators of Refill-Lab.Its products range from its new complete hair line, creams, alcohol gel, diffusers, home fragrance, sanctifying, containers to fill and eight fragrances to choose from. They can be purchased through the official website, in the branches of Cero Market and plan to expand to add wholesalers.
