Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Mahler.
Hi Claire, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always been interested in sustainability and wanted a career change, so I quit teaching after the pandemic with the hope of opening a low-waste refillery. I opened 86 Plastic in April of 2022 and have been helping people find reusable or refillable replacements for everyday home and body items. As of today we have refilled 16,015 single-use containers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I love big ideas and worry about the details later, so that coupled with my only adult work experience was in teaching. Although teaching has been extremely useful in the education aspect of my business, it wasn’t super applicable to getting a business started. Everything from negotiating a lease to estimating how much stock to order was all new and definitely a learning experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about 86 Plastic?
86 Plastic, (which 86 means we are out of it or it’s off the menu- so we are 86-ing plastic!) is a low-waste refillery for all of your home, body, and bulk food needs. Customers bring in their own containers and refill as little or as much of their laundry detergent and lentils as they need. Our most popular refills are from our bulk food selection, which includes dry goods, pasta, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, candy, and crackers.
Our brand has prioritized building relationships and community with customers. We know what kind of shampoo you like and want to hear about your last vacation. It is by far the thing I am most proud of. Knowing how much we need to have community and creating a space for people who are passionate about the same things is truly rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://86plasticco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/86plasticco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/86plasticco/
