MISSION REFILL:
On a Mission to Reduce
Plastic Waste in Santa Barbara:
It started with a Christmas gift certificate to Mission Refill. I was expecting a quick holiday shopping spree but it turned into something far more meaningful. Browsing the store, I was struck by what the owner, Valerie Voorhees, had built — and I knew I had to meet her. Thankfully she was in, and I introduced myself. The connection was immediate, leaving me with a deep knowing that I had found another Legacy Brand.
What struck me most was how far beyond her storefront Valerie's impact reaches. Large online companies reinvest virtually nothing locally, while big-box chains average 14% — compared to up to 48% when you shop local. And here was that statistic in action. Since that first meeting, I’ve grown increasingly fond of the thoughtful way she’s making a difference, one person and one business at a time. I hope you enjoy getting to know her the way I have.
ML: Speaking of the impact small businesses make, in what ways does Mission Refill reinvest in our community?
VV: A commitment to community is one of our core values, so investing locally is built into everything we do. Of course, we employ local staff, pay local taxes, and source local products whenever possible. Beyond that, we dedicate our time and resources to community initiatives as well. Our team regularly participates in events like Beautify Goleta and the CEC's Plastic Free July. We've hosted fundraisers for organizations such as 805UndocuFund and The Women's Foundation of Minnesota, and we regularly donate to dozens of local organizations. We're also proud to have helped our local elementary school transition from disposable utensils to reusable silverware. More than a shop, we think of ourselves as a community hub for sustainability, making a lasting reduction in waste right here at home.
ML: What are your company's vision, mission, and values?
VV: Our vision is to accelerate people’s transition to sustainable living. In practice, that means creating an easy, accessible place where people can make choices that are better for their body and the planet. Our primary offering is common household goods, like dish soap or laundry detergent, that can be purchased package-free. Customers bring in clean, empty containers from home, weigh them, and then fill them with the product they need from our dispensers. Any type of container will do – an empty dish soap bottle, a decorative pump, an old jar – the weight of the container is removed at the end, so customers only pay for the product itself.
Our core values guide how we support a transition to sustainable living.
Simplicity, because reducing waste should be as easy as creating it.
Community, because our local community is our key stakeholder.
Transparency, because we have nothing to hide.
Empathy, because sustainable living is hard and we get that.
Optimism, because positive change is possible when people take action.
ML: Can you share a 2-3 examples of how you operationalize those values in your day-to-day work?
VV: Simplicity shows up in many of our business decisions. We’ve chosen a convenient location for our store with ample parking and access to other every-day shopping destinations, invested in technology that makes the refill process smooth, and built a highly trained team that guides customers through ever step. We want sustainable shopping to feel approachable, not intimidating.
Transparency is equally as important to us. We openly share our product ingredients, vendors, and where our products come from. We’re not shy about allowing customers to tour our back room so they can see how products arrive and how we operate behind the scenes. We’re also candid about our pricing and the realities of running a small, local business.
ML: What are some of the misconceptions people have about shopping at a refill store?
VV: One common misconception is that sustainability has to be all or nothing. Many people think their efforts only matter if they completely overhaul their household, but that’s not necessary! Our philosophy is that every swap counts. There is a quote that pops up frequently around the refill space: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing zero waste imperfectly.” I believe that small changes made by many people can create a meaningful impact.
Another misconception is that refill shopping is expensive, but that depends on how you define “expensive.” Quality ingredients, labor practices, packaging decisions, and environmental impact all factor into the cost of a product. All those things are reflected in the price tag of a product – high or low cost.
Mission Refill prioritizes accessibility and affordability, while ensuring the products in our store meet our high standards. We prioritize products from other small businesses committed to sustainable practices and clean ingredients, many of them women- and minority-owned. That said, there is a wide range of price points in the store. Many of our cleaning products are genuinely competitive with what you'd find at a drugstore or big-box retailer. Some personal care products carry a slightly higher price, but they're made with better ingredients and real craftsmanship. Overall, everything in the store comes from a company that works with us to reduce waste from selling in large volumes, like 30-gallon barrels, to taking their containers back to reuse.
Customers also notice a difference in quality right away, whether in how well something works or how it affects their skin or allergies. Refilling also tends to shift buying habits over time. When you purchase only what you need and start thinking consciously about waste, you often find yourself spending less overall.
ML: If someone wanted to reduce their plastic consumption and household waste, how might they get started?
VV: The most important thing is to use what you already have. You don't need to throw anything away. Begin by taking stock of what's in your home and what you use regularly. I usually recommend starting in the kitchen or the bathroom and making a list of what might run out first: dish soap, laundry detergent, a multi-surface cleaner. It's often easier to begin with cleaning supplies rather than personal care products, simply because we go through cleaning supplies in larger volumes. Our most popular starting product is dish soap. When you're running low, come in and make the swap. Before long, it becomes part of your routine. Having said that, some people prefer to start with personal care products like shampoo or lotion because those are what they reach for most. Honestly, where you start doesn't matter nearly as much as just starting.
Exciting changes are coming to Mission Refill. To learn more, visit their store at 5733 Calle Real, Goleta; sign up for their email list at www.missionrefill.com or follow them on Instagram @missionrefill.
