Woodstock Bring Your Own: Rethinking Consumption, One Bottle at a Time

Convenience meets conservation: rethinking consumption one bottle at a time

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THIS is music to my Best Self ears and those of Mother Nature for sure!

We all feel good when we are doing good; for ourselves and the planet. What starts out as feeling slightly inconvenient begins to feel incredibly empowering as we connect the dots between our daily consumption and its effects upon our environment.

Better yet, when we do something about it.

There’s nothing like shopping some place that makes you feel good about your purchase, like a health food store, a farmer’s market or supporting a local business. But here’s an interesting fact: While organic products and sustainable living can at times cost more on the front end, Woodstock Bring Your Own founder, Alex Bolotow has created a ‘refilling station’ that is actually less expensive than buying new products in a conventional manner. It’s conservation that crosses economic divides — making this a no-excuse proposition available to all.

So here’s the deal. You can bring ANY container, jar, or bottle to WBYO and fill it with hand soap, laundry detergent, dish washing soap, hand/body lotions, household cleaners, etc. Imagine how revolutionary this could be in the long run. Not only does it prod us to rethink how we consume, it empowers us to do our part to reduce our own carbon footprint… one bottle at a time.

This eco-chic new addition to my hometown also includes items like reusable straws (that fly out the door), coffee cups, grocery bags and containers. You’ll find things like yoga mats made from cork and recycled rubber (how cool is that), essential oils, refillable floss containers, even raw materials to make your own cosmetics and beauty products. I have to say, I’m kind of surprisingly addicted to the charcoal tooth powder.

And of course, Alex literally puts her money where her mouth is and accepts various recycling streams at her shop as well: toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, floss containers, plastic packaging and bottle caps. But remember to bring your own bag…

The time is now to recognize how we can all do better in this department. Mother Nature is beckoning your best self, will you heed the call?

If you are local, please visit Alex’s new store in Woodstock, New York or follow her on Instagram as she continues to forge a new path for us all to walk. And may it inspire you to get yourconservation wheels a turning!

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