Circular Living in Action – Starting with Refill

January is often a time for fresh starts. As Christmas decorations are packed away, many of us notice just how much we own that only comes out once a year. It can be a moment to pause and reflect on our everyday habits — and to consider how small changes can make a real difference.

This is where circular living comes in.

What is circular living?

Circular living means reducing waste, reusing resources, and keeping products in use for as long as possible — so people, communities, and the planet can thrive.

Instead of a “buy, use, throw away” approach, circular living encourages us to value what we already have and find ways to use it better.

For our Eco Community, circular living isn’t an abstract idea or a future goal.

It’s already happening — one refill at a time — through our Full Circle refill project.

What does circular living look like in everyday life?

Circular living can be simple, practical, and accessible. Everyday examples include:

• Fixing things instead of replacing them

• Buying second-hand or sharing items with neighbours

• Choosing products that last and can be repaired

• Composting food waste

• Supporting local businesses that reuse materials

At its heart, circular living is about making the most of what we already have.

Circular living: waste less, share more, live well.

Circular living in practice: our Full Circle refill project

One of the most visible ways we support circular living at Eco Communities is through our Full Circle refill project.

What the refill project does

Our refill project allows people to reuse ‘Full’ bottles again and again for:

• Laundry detergent and conditioner

• Household cleaning products

• Hair and body care products

Instead of buying a new plastic bottle every time, customers refill our 500ml glass ‘Full’ bottles, helping to reduce single-use plastic and unnecessary waste.

We also offer Full’s Raw products, which allow people to make their own cleaning products at home — an approach many will recognise from popular TV cleaning programmes. This supports low-waste living while giving people more control over what they use in their homes.

Why refill is circular living

Refill supports circular living because it:

• Keeps packaging in use for longer, reducing the need for new containers

• Reduces single-use plastic waste, which is one of the biggest contributors to household waste

• Encourages mindful consumption, helping people think about what they buy and why

• Saves money over time, especially for everyday essentials

• Makes sustainable choices easier and more accessible, without requiring big lifestyle changes

You might think plastic bottles are “fine” because they can be recycled. However, the reality is more complex.

Globally, only a small proportion of plastic is actually recycled into new plastic bottles. Much of it is downcycled into lower-quality materials, exported overseas, incinerated, or ends up in landfill or the natural environment. Recycling also requires energy, transport, and processing — so while it is better than landfill, recycling is not a complete solution.

Refill tackles the problem earlier, by reducing the need for single-use plastic in the first place.

What about washing pods?

Washing pods may feel convenient, but they come with environmental concerns. The plastic film used in pods doesn’t always fully break down, and pods can encourage over-use of detergent, leading to excess chemicals entering waterways. Some pods also contain harsh ingredients that are unnecessary for everyday washing.

Refillable liquid detergents allow people to use only what they need, reduce packaging waste, and choose products with simpler, gentler ingredients.

The wellbeing connection

Circular living isn’t just about the environment — it’s about wellbeing too.

Our Full products are designed to be kinder for people as well as the planet. They use fewer harsh chemicals, are not tested on animals, and support a more mindful approach to everyday cleaning and personal care.

Refill helps people to:

• Feel part of a positive solution

• Reduce waste-related guilt or overwhelm

• Make small changes that feel achievable

• Model sustainable habits for children and young people

These small, visible actions build confidence and hope — especially in uncertain times — showing that change doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be meaningful.

Looking ahead: growing a circular community

Our Full Circle – Refill project and Reuse via our Event and Party Kit reusables are just the beginning for Eco Communities.

Other groups have already set up fantastic Repair Cafés across the region, including:

• Chester (Hoole Community Centre) Chester & District Friends of the Earth – Chester Repair Cafe

• Helsby – Helsby Repair Cafe

• Tattenhall – Transition Tattenhall

Repair Cafés are another powerful way to keep items in use for longer, reduce waste, and share skills within the community.

Circular living works best when communities share resources, knowledge, and space, and we’re keen to explore how we can build on what’s already happening locally.

Future project ideas: a lending library (and beyond)

One idea we’re excited to explore is a community lending library — a shared collection of items people only need occasionally, rather than owning individually.

We already have Rentu in the region, where individuals share items such as tools with others via a fantastic App.

A lending library would work slightly differently:

• The library owns the items

• There is one central point of contact

• People borrow items for a set period and return them in good condition, just like a traditional library

We already have event and party supplies, and this project if we progressed would extend that offer further.

Items could include:

• Tools and DIY equipment

• Gardening equipment

• Small household items

• Additional event or party supplies

A lending library would reduce waste, save money, and strengthen community connections, bringing circular living into everyday life.

Other ideas include more repair events, swap days, and skill-sharing sessions — helping us move from consumption to collaboration.

Our invitation to the journey

Circular living doesn’t happen overnight.
It grows through small actions, shared ideas, and community care.

This January, we’ll be exploring what circular living looks like for individuals, communities, schools, and businesses — and how we can build it together.

Refill is our starting point. The future is shared.

Why not try one of the following this month?

• Try our Full Circle Shop for your next laundry or cleaning product and tell us how it feels

• Share your ideas for future circular projects via our WhatsApp group, email, or Facebook

• Follow the blog series this January — sign up to our newsletter if you don’t already receive it, and keep reading and sharing