Midland’s FILL Refill Shop Leads Michigan’s Statewide Zero Waste Challenge

A Collaborative Push Toward Sustainability

In January 2026, Midland’s eco-conscious refillery, FILL, sparked a pioneering sustainability initiative with the Michigan Refill Challenge, uniting ten of Michigan’s thirteen zero-waste refill shops in a statewide campaign during International Zero Waste Month. Located at 133 Ashman St. in downtown Midland, FILL serves as the hub for this collaborative effort promoting waste reduction through simple, everyday habits.

About the Michigan Refill Challenge

• Duration: Month-long (January 2026)
• Participants: 10 refill shops from across Michigan including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City
• Demographic: All shops are women-owned small businesses
• Goal: Encourage residents to reduce waste by embracing refill culture and zero-waste practices

How It Works: The Bingo Challenge

Participants engage in a bingo-style challenge by completing zero-waste activities such as:

• Bringing reusable containers to refill household or personal care products like shampoo and detergents
• Using reusable bags
• Adopting new sustainable habits

Bingo cards can be tracked digitally or on paper, and submitting a completed row qualifies participants for a random prize drawing.

Prize Bundle and Community Impact

The prize is a statewide gift bundle featuring sustainable and locally-made goods donated by all participating shops, including reusable household items, soaps, candles, and lip balms. This bundle reflects the collective talents and creativity of Michigan’s refill shops.

Origin and Collaborative Spirit

Kristin Cronkright, owner of FILL since June 2025, initiated conversations that led to this first-of-its-kind statewide collaboration. Highlighting the importance of shared knowledge and mutual support, Cronkright notes:

• The challenge has strengthened small business networks
• It showcases the diverse products refill shops offer beyond zero-waste veterans to include newcomers
• The collaboration involved contributions in designing the challenge, social media, content creation, and more

Why Refill Shops Matter

Refill shops like FILL help combat the environmental toll of single-use plastics by offering bulk sales where customers bring their own containers. This effectively reduces landfill waste and the inefficiency of current recycling systems.

Looking Forward

The Michigan Refill Challenge aspires to become an annual tradition, expanding to more shops and amplifying the zero-waste movement in Michigan. Local events hosted by FILL, such as plant swaps and self-care nights, further promote sustainable living in Midland.

How to Participate

Residents interested in joining the Michigan Refill Challenge can visit any participating shop or follow their social media pages throughout January to access materials and updates.

For more information on zero-waste living and sustainable product options, visit FILL at 133 Ashman St., Midland, or explore Michigan’s refill shops online as they continue to champion environmental stewardship across the state.

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