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FAQs

What does "zero-waste" mean?

"Zero-waste" is a term focused on designing waste out of the manufacturing process so that all materials are re-purposed or reused, with the goal of sending nothing to the landfill.

As a lifestyle, zero-waste is a growing movement — though it's not new at all. Our ancestors practiced "zero-waste" long before it became a buzz word out of necessity and respect for the environment. This lifestyle is a dedication to reducing the amount we consume and discard as practically as possible. Each person can define what zero-waste living looks like for them, based on their unique circumstances.

It's important to note that you'll often hear us use the term "low-waste" rather than "zero-waste." This is because the term "zero-waste" is often associated with something that is only accessible to people with privilege. We believe this shouldn't be the case and are committed to working together with our community, as well as further educating others, to bring low-waste living to all people.

Store Information

What are your hours?

Sunday 10 -6

Monday 10 - 6

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday Closed

Thursday 10 - 6

Friday 10 - 6

Saturday 10 - 8

I'm local, but I live outside of your delivery area.

Please give us a call, or send us an email and let's chat about it.

Do you host private events?

Yes! We would love to talk to you about your event and what your vision is for having it in our space. Please contact us with some more details.

I heard about your flea market and would like to get involved. How do I do that?

Thanks so much for your interest in participating in the Downtown Alley Flea! You can find out more information about our flea market HERE.
Bulk Products + Refills

How do the refills work?

Instead of purchasing products in packaging that is unlikely to be recycled, we offer bulk products that can be refilled into reusable containers over and over again. You can bring your own container, purchase a new one in the shop, or use one of our sanitized, upcycled containers for free!

The process for buying bulk is super easy!

Pick + Tare your container. Tare means the weight of your empty container. We don't want to charge you for the weight of this so taring ensures you're paying for the proper ounces of product. Fill ‘er up! Pick your product. Fill your container with as much, or as little, as you'd like.

Weigh + Pay. Head to the scale for the final weight. Refillable products include eco-friendly soaps, detergents, cleaners, personal care products, DIY ingredients, and premium pantry items.

Which containers work?

We encourage you to bring in your own containers from home for refilling. However, we also have a large selection of jars and bottles to choose from. If you don't have something to re-use and you can't afford to buy a new one, we've got you. Upcycled containers are available for free. 

How do I know if my containers are clean?

Your refill is as fresh as the oldest product remaining in your jar so be sure to use a fresh, clean one when refilling.

To ensure that your container is ready to go:

  • Wash with soapy water.
  • Fill a large pot with filtered water until all containers are covered. Bring the water to a boil and leave it boiling for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and allow the water to cool completely before removing containers, lids, and pumps from the pot. Let air dry.
  • For pumps + misters: Pump rubbing alcohol or vodka through 10+ times and allow to air dry.
  • Store in a clean place or sealed container until ready to refill and reuse!

Don't bulk products also come in packaging?

Yes. Bulk products still need packaging to be shipped to our store. We work with our suppliers to minimize waste by avoiding unnecessary packaging and eliminating plastic wherever possible. We also reuse, re-purpose, and donate any packaging that still has a long life left — and most things do!

Shipping

How often do you ship?

We ship via USPS every business day, Monday through Friday. Orders placed later in the day Friday ship Monday or Tuesday based on weekend order volume.

We can't guarantee the post office's estimated times, and there may be delays due to the current pandemic, weather or natural disasters.

My package says "delivered" but it's not here.

For the security of your order, make sure you or someone else is home to receive the package, or deliver to your workplace. You are responsible for your package after it is marked delivered. If your package is stolen, or is marked "delivered" but never arrived, you may be able to file a claim with the postal service; there is usually a 20-day delay before you can file. We are not responsible for stolen packages (where the package was delivered to your location by the post office or UPS and then stolen after delivery). Stolen packages are not covered by package insurance.

Do you offer Free Shipping?

We aren't able to offer free shipping at this time. However, we're working hard to be sure that you're getting the best shipping price available. If your shipping quote seems too high, please reach out so we can look into other options.

Shipping times are not guaranteed, but typically USA orders will arrive in 1-6 business days after shipment, International orders typically arrive in 2-3 weeks after shipment. If there is any issue or delay with your order, please contact us so that we can help.

Can I cancel my order?

Orders can be cancelled up to 24 hours after they've been placed. If it has been more than 24 hours, please contact us to cancel.

Do you ship "Zero-waste"?

We ship online orders with as much recycled material as possible. Any new materials used are plastic-free and biodegradable. Keep in mind that since we use as many reused materials as possible, your order may arrive in a box with markings, stickers, and other wear-and-tear, but all in the name of low-waste!

Products

Are all of your products environmentally friendly?

Transparency in ingredients is super important to us. We source products from companies with a commitment to environmental stewardship, who use plant-based, natural ingredients. Many of our products have third-party certifications (Vegan, Leaping Bunny, Organic, Non-GMO Verified) and all ingredients are listed on the product page. EWG's Skin Deep Database has been a wonderful resource for researching products, ingredients, potential hazards and health concerns. We've utilized the database to ensure we're offering safe, non-toxic and environmentally-kind products.

Additionally, we take into consideration the miles a product has to travel and availability of bulk purchases with minimal packaging options. Less packaging = less waste. We are proud to support small production, regenerative farmers and numerous BIPOC and woman-owned businesses.

What is the shelf life of your products?

The shelf life of most products ranges from 1-5 years after purchase. Be sure to keep all your products in a cool, dry place that doesn't fluctuate much in temperature. Send us an email if you're concerned about a particular product.

Returns + Refunds

Do you guarantee your products?

Everyone has different skin, with different sensitivities. We try to make all products safe for the majority of people, but please know your allergies and send us an email before ordering if you're concerned about using particular products.

For health and hygiene reasons, bath, body, beauty, personal care and cleaning products are final sale.

My items arrived broken or damaged.

We can help! Please take a photo of the damage to the outer box, and internal damage to its contents. Send us a message and we'll be happy to help. Please note, there may be a slight delay on refund or re-shipment for damages as we deal with the shipping carrier to resolve what occurred with your shipment.

Do you charge tax if I'm an Oregon resident?

Effective July 1, 2019, the retail sales tax exemption is no longer available at the point of sale for nonresidents of Washington State who purchase tangible personal property, digital goods, and digital codes. We must collect retail sales tax from all of our nonresident customers, unless the customer or sale qualifies for another exemption. Here's a list of common nonresident exemptions for more information and related documentation requirements.

Sponsorship's, donations + free samples

Do you give out free product or samples?

We are a small business and in order to keep our prices affordable for everyone, we don't price our products to accommodate free product requests.

That being said, all of our bulk products are priced by the ounce. So feel free to come in and snag a teeny bit to get you started.

Can you donate to my organization?

Please get in touch and let us know about your organization and how we can help.

Do you accept donations?

Yes - and no. It varies depending on what it is, how much you have to donate and if we have any events coming up where we can make good use of the items.

What you CAN bring to the shop anytime includes: glass bottles with the labels removed, paper bags (any size), and 6 pack plastic beer holder thing-ys.

If your item(s) are not listed above please give us a call or send us an email and provide some more details about what you'd like to donate and we'll do our best to help.

What about giving back?

This is incredibly important to us and we make an effort to give back as much as possible. We've worked with organizations such as YWCA, Odyssey World International Education Services (OWIES), and do our best to find other organizations - primarily ones that are under-represented. Know of an organization that could use our support? Let us know!