Helping Metro Detroiters Reduce Plastic Waste & Live More Sustainably
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Learn about refilling with us
Hours, location & delivery areas
Our storefront is located at 1031 Hilton Rd. Ferndale, MI 48220.
* Please note schedule changes week of Nov25:
Mon 25th: Closed
Tues 26th: 10am-6pm
Wed 27th: 10am-5:30pm
Thurs 28th: CLOSED
Fri 29th: 10am-4pm
Saturday 30th: 10am-4pm
Regular Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday: 10am-7pm
Thursday: 10am-6pm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 10am-4pm
Sunday: 12pm-4pm
Local delivery areas: Ferndale, Royal Oak, Hazel Park, Oak Park, Berkley, Pleasant Ridge, Huntington Woods, Clawson, Madison Heights, Birmingham, Troy, and Detroit neighborhoods in 48221 zip code
What can you refill in the shop?
Our current refill offerings in the shop: Grab your containers and we'll see you soon!
Bath & Body:
Hand & Body Soaps
Hand & Body Lotion
Body Oils
Deodorant Cream
Epsom Salts, Bath Bombs & Shower Steamers
Bubble Bath
Hand sanitizer
Facial Care:
Gel Face Wash
Facial Toners
Facial Moisturizer & Makeup Remover
Hair Care:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Detangler Spray
Dry Shampoo
Texturizing Salt Spray
Oral Care:
Toothpaste
Toothtabs
Seasonal:
Bug Spray
Sunblock
Aloe Gel
Laundry:
Liquid Laundry
Laundry Powder
Oxygen Brightener
Household Cleaning:
Dish Soap
Dishwasher Gel & Tabs
Rinse Aid
Vinegar (distilled white, 5%)
Antibac Toilet Cleaning Concentrate & Toilet Cleaning Fizzy Bombs
Wood & Tile Cleaning Concentrate
Daily Granite Cleaning Concentrate
All-Purpose Cleaners
Glass Cleaner
Wood Soap
Soap Nuts
Baking Soda
Citric Acid
Miscellaneous:
Essential Oils
Isopropyl alcohol (99%)
Hydrogen Peroxide, aka 'Liquid Unbleach'
Witch Hazel
Beeswax pellets, local
Herbs & Spices
Baking Powder (no added aluminum)
Bay leaf whole org
Black Garlic Finishing Salt
Cajun Seasoning, Organic
Cardamom seed, ground org
Cardamom pods, whole organic
Catnip Herb Org. C/S
Cayenne organic ground
Chia seed whole
Chili Powder blend organic
Chili Peppers, crushed red blend
Chamomile Flowers
Cilantro leaf c/s organic
Cinnamon, ground organic
Cinnamon sticks organic
Cloves ground organic
Cloves whole organic
Cocoa Powder Org with Alkai
Coriander Seed, Ground, Organic
Cornstarch organic
Cream of Tartar powder
Cumin seed ground organic
Curry powder organic
Dill weed c/s organic
Elderberries whole organic
Everything Blend, organic
Fennel Seed, Whole, Organic
Flax seed whole organic
Hemp Hearts, organic
Garam Masala organic
Garlic powder organic
Garlic granules
Ginger root ground organic
Hibiscus flowers, c/s organic
Italian Seasoning Organic
Lavender flowers whole organic
Nutmeg ground organic
Nutritional Yeast mini flake
Onion white powder organic
Oregano leaf c/s organic
Paprika ground org
Parsley leaf, org
Pepper black medium grind org
Peppercorns black whole org
Pickling Spice mild sweet *seasonal
Poppy seed whole organic
Pumpkin Pie Spice organic
Rosemary leaf whole organic
Sage leaf rubbed organic
Salt, Himalayan Pink, coarse
Sesame Seeds, whole, organic
Smoked Paprika Organic
Sprouting Seeds, Mixed, Organic
Star Anise, whole organic
Sweet Basil leaf c/s organic
Taco Seasoning Organic
Thyme leaf whole organic
Turmeric root ground organic
Vanilla Beans, Whole Organic
Teas
Ceylon Orange Pekoe FT Org
Chai Black FT Organic
Chamomile Flowers
Cinnamon Orange tea
Earl Grey Black Tea FT Org.
Elderberry Echinacea Wellness Tea, Org
English Breakfast Black Tea
Hibiscus flowers, c/s organic
Jasmine Green Tea FT Org
Lemon Ginger tea
Matcha Powder Org. Japanese
Peppermint leaf c/s
Yerba Mate leaf c/s
Bulk Dry Goods:
Coffee Beans, changes seasonally, roasted locally by Dessert Oasis
Organics Pumpkin Seeds, Raw, (Hull-less)
Coconut, Shredded Medium Conventional
Popcorn, Yellow Organic
Dried Cranberries
Golden Temple Granola, flavors change seasonally
Garbanzo beans, dried, non-gmo, kosher
Rigatone Pasta, Organic
Oats, Rolled, Regular & Gluten-Free Organic
Candy: vegan & free from artificial dyes
Recycling & composting at the shop
RECYCLING:
We are committed to being a resource for sustainability, so we are excited to offer Terracycling boxes for hard-to-recycle items. We currently have 6 boxes/programs running (see below) and they accept ALL brands, even if sponsored by one particular brand. Some of these programs are free, and some are paid. If boxes are sponsored, they are free to us and for you. You bring your items and we will box them up, print off a label and get them shipped out.
FREE PROGRAMS:
PEN, MARKER & INK CARTRIDGE RECYCLING: While previously we had a stationary program sponsored by Bic, they closed this program in May 2023. We now collect only empty pens, markers and ink cartridges to recycle at Staples. (Staples accepts a number of other items for FREE recycling if you take your items directly to one of their stores, please check out their website for more info.)
PERSONAL CARE/TOILETRY RECYCLING*** Last day for drop off of FREE recycling is Sunday December 22nd: (this program has been sponsored by Toms's of Maine and hello - they have decided to cancel this program) Accepts mouthwash bottles and caps, toothbrushes, deodorant containers and caps, soap packaging, floss containers, and toothpaste tubes and caps. *In 2025, we will offer PAID recycling of these items, as we will need to purchase a Terracycle box.
RAZOR RECYCLING: (sponsored by Gilette) Accepts all brands of blades and razors (systems and disposable units, and replaceable-blade cartridge units), rigid plastic packaging, and flexible plastic bag packaging. This is in a sharps container for safety.
Stasher Bags: If you have old stasher bags that have gotten damaged/cut, they are still great for dry storage! But if you have bags that are beyond repurposing, bring them in and we will send them to Terracycle to recycle.
PAID PROGRAMS: We purchase some paid Terracycle boxes, and to offset the cost of these (they range between $165-185), customers can purchase a small cloth bag for $10, fill it up with any of the paid recycling items and then deposit these in the boxes. You can repurchase the bag to collect your recycling again, or leave it with us to wash and reuse.
CANDY & SNACK WRAPPER RECYCLING (paid): Accepts candy wrappers, cookie wrappers, family size snack bags, multi-pack snack bags, snack bags. Wrappers must be cleaned from food waste. Not accepted: paper-based wrappers, sticks, blister packs, or cardboard master cartons.
BEAUTY PRODUCTs & PACKAGING RECYCLING (paid): Accepts
- Conditioner bottles and caps
- Eye liner pencils (non-wooden) and cases
- Eye shadow tubes
- Face soap dispensers and tubes
- Hair gel tubes and caps
- Hair paste plastic jars and caps
- Lip balm tubes
- Lip gloss tubes
- Lotion bottles, tubes, dispensers, and jars
- Mascara tubes
- Plastic concealer tubes and sticks
- Shampoo bottles and caps
- Shaving foam tubes (no cans)
- Spray bottles and triggers
Do not send in aerosol or pressurized cans, electronic items such as blow dryers and straighteners, perfume bottles, nail polish bottles or removers, wooden eyeliner pencils, any bio-medical, bio-hazardous waste, or partially full and full packaging (tubes, jars and containers) such as nail-polish, lotion, soap or ointments.
Disposable Mask Program: We will be finishing out the box we currently have, and then not purchasing another of these boxes. In 2025, we will instead be offering an oral care (toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, etc.) box, since the free program is closing.
EVENT-ONLY PROGRAMS These programs run occasionally with special events:
Athletic Shoe Recycling
Children's Clothing Recycling
COMPOST DROP OFF:
Composting food waste is a simple way to drastically reduce your carbon footprint! (1 lb of food in a landfill = 1 lb of methane!) We offer a large compost bin behind the shop, emptied weekly, so that customers can drop off their food waste for free! All food waste is accepted, so unlike backyard composting you don't have to sort out cheese, bones, etc. as well as compostable food and beverage containers, utensils, etc. If something is certified BPI compostable, then it can go in this bin! We ask that all food waste is bagged, either in a BPI compostable bag, or in a thick paper bag to keep the ick factor down. Stop in anytime and staff will be happy to show you the bin. *If you are a resident of the following cities, check out your free municipal composting programs!
Upcoming events
Building community is an integral part of creating this new model together. So while we are here every day to help you reduce and reuse; we also love being able to offer opportunities to connect, learn, and deepen our roots! Here are a list of upcoming events and how to participate & where you'll find us around town:
Sunday January 12th 10-11:30am: Growing Your Own Sprouts & Microgreens
Need a sustainable winter gardening project? Join us this January for a new workshop all about the growing Microgreens and Sprouts We are leaving $5 plastic containers of these little greens behind in 2024, and diving into growing our own instead In this class, you’ll learn what microgreens and sprouts are, how easily they can be grown, and all of the things you can do with them! It’s a whole garden-to-table class. Growing microgreens and sprouts is easy, sustainable, and cost-effective, making them the perfect solution for growing fresh, nutritious food even in Michigan's cold winters. Let’s make fresh, homegrown food part of your lifestyle, no matter the season! Your $7.75 ticket includes everything you need to go home and start growing sprouts right away. Grab your here.
Giving back
We believe that as a local small-business we have a responsibility and opportunity to give back to our community. We sincerely thank you for partnering with us in your sustainability journey so that we are able to do this! Here are some of the local organizations we support:
Planet Detroit *Impact Partner
Make Food Not Waste
The Greening of Detroit
Six Rivers Land Conservancy
WDET
One Tree Planted
Clinton River Watershed Coalition
The Cleanup Club
Affirmations
Turning Point, Inc.
Green Living Science
Keep Growing Detroit
Bees in the D
Corner Shower and Laundry
University of Detroit Mercy TENN, food justice & sustainability program
Detroit Community Cat Rescue
Gamp Camp
Midwest Access Coalition
Alternatives for Girls
The Ruth Ellis Center
About us
Walking Lightly, LLC (TM) offers convenient options to help community members live more sustainably with our zero waste store and refillery in Ferndale, MI. We offer local delivery, and now shipping nationwide of solid sustainable products. We want to make it easy to skip the single-use plastic packaging, because we believe in caring for our planet. Walking Lightly is a resource and hub in the community offering terracycling programs, workshops, composting, and information sharing. We also believe that environmentalism is inextricably tied to environmental justice. As we grow this business we are committed to being a part of both micro and macro efforts to grow our communities in sustainability and equity.
Walking Lightly’s founder, Tessa Benziger, is a social worker and mother of three who has always been sustainably-minded. She couldn’t find low waste home and body goods conveniently in her community, so in 2019 she decided to create the solution. A poster in Tessa’s childhood bedroom with a quote from Barbara Ward has served as inspiration for the name. And indeed, “We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the Earth as its other creatures do.”
In Walking Lightly, we hope you will find a partner in making the lower-waste choices that work best for you. We are committed to being a non-judgmental resource, and we think that any efforts to reduce waste are to be celebrated! So ask us questions, tell us what works for you, and let us know how we can help. We are so grateful to be a part of your sustainability journey!
Land Acknowledgement: Walking Lightly operates on land that was obtained in unconscionable ways, from indigenous peoples of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ tribe.
FAQs
FAQs:
Q: How do I refill?
A: 1. Choose your container. You can purchase a bottle, use a deposit jar, or you can bring your own containers (Containers must be clean and dry, please. This is per the manufacturers of the products, as they need to ensure the integrity of their product). We also have community donations available that we have re-cleaned and sanitized.
2. Get the weight of empty jar (or tare). Weigh your container at the self-weigh station, grab a tag to record the tare weight as well as product information.
3. Fill your container. Get as much or as little of the beautiful, people and planet-safe product you would like.
4. Make your purchase. Bring your containers to the register and we will weigh them, subtract the tare weight, and voila, you pay only for the product you want!
5. Repeat & Tell all your friends about us!
Q: Are products more expensive than buying them at a big store or online in a plastic bottle?
A: Sometimes yes and sometimes no. There are a few reasons for this, and also some good news. We work with closed-loop suppliers. This means that our partners take on the added work of collecting and sanitizing containers that they ship in. This costs more than having you (or us) throw away, or 'recycle' a container. You know what's cheap? Virgin plastic. But while the monetary cost is small, the environmental cost is great. Products we carry are also made with ingredients that are safe for people and the planet. These quality ingredients are often more expensive than cheap detergents and chemicals, or ingredients like Palm Oil (the extraction of which has devastating effects on the environment). Lastly, partners we work with are also paying their employees living wages. So, sometimes refilling may cost more. Sometimes it doesn't. It depends. But here's the good news: We are investing in a circular economy, and by shopping here, you are, too! As companies see consumers investing this model, more will be willing to participate (financial incentive), and this will drive prices down and make sustainable options more affordable. Also, we are happy to help you find the most affordable products! And while some home and body products can carry these higher prices for these reasons, we've found that spices, herbs and teas tend to cost just a fraction of the cost of pre-packaged counterparts. Yay!
Q: This sounds like a lot of effort. Is it worth it?
A: We are all constantly marketed that life is busy and everything needs to be fast and convenient. But fast and convenient has become synonymous with 'throw away' and we are tired of living in a 'throw away' world. We just have this one home and think that we should take care of it. We know now that recycling is not the answer. Reducing and reusing needs to be our focus. And that means refilling! We have the ability to make an impact by reducing our own household waste, but also sending a message as a larger community reducing our waste. We are voting with our dollars for the world we want to see.
Q: So what's the benefit of refilling at my local refill shop instead of just buying online?
A: If you choose to shop locally, you get the benefit of refilling exactly what you want and need. We promise to be transparent and honest with you, absolutely zero greenwashing here! You also get to support a company that is supporting your community. We make donations to local community organizations (some past donations have been to: Corner Shower and Laundry; Keep Growing Detroit; Affirmations; Make Food Not Waste Detroit, Planet Detroit) and we host educational workshops, and share resources. If you have some ideas for ways that we can help support our community, give us a holler! We are here to support the community and we are so grateful to you for supporting us!
Q: I'm so busy that it's hard for me to make it in, can I still get refills?
A: Our local delivery option allows you to have the zero waste goods you need delivered right to your doorstep! Local delivery is fast, free for orders $25+ and is a great option for busy lives. Bulk liquid refills come by default in sanitized community donation containers. If you would like them in a deposit jar or a purchased bottle, add them to your cart and send a 'note to seller' to let us know which items you would like in which container. Please leave a cooler out on your porch once you place your order (delivery is same day up to four days) to protect your goods from weather and nosy squirrels (yes, they've been known to steal a lotion bar or two). If you live in a locked apartment building, please let us know where is best/safest to leave your package.
Q: I love this idea but I don't have a refillery in my community. What can I do?
A: Never fear! This model is growing, so let's definitely keep spreading the word and building this circular economy! Check out the directory Litterless to see if you already have an option in your area. We now offer shipping for folks who are outside of this local community and still want zero waste goods. We ship plastic-free, using the USPS (because they are already coming to your doorstep every day, so no added drives) and you have the option of additionally making your delivery carbon-neutral. Shipping is free for orders $100+.
Q: What does 'closed loop' mean?
A: Closed loop means that a supplier takes their shipping container back to sanitize and reuse. Most of our suppliers operate with this model, and the ones that don't either only use already repurposed containers, or we have a repurpose in place.
Have a question you don’t see here? Shoot us an email: together@walkinglightly.net and we’ll get you an answer. Thanks for being here to read this! We’re really grateful for your interest.