At Miniml, we believe in the power of women-led businesses to drive meaningful change in the refill and sustainability movement. Co-founded by Emma, Miniml is proud to work alongside incredible women who make refill shopping more accessible in communities across the UK and beyond. On International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on the inspiring women behind refill stores that stock Miniml and champion a cleaner, greener future.
One of those businesses is Refill Mill in Essex, where Miniml has become their most popular product range. “Miniml is our most popular range at Refill Mill! Customers love the products as they are highly effective with divine natural fragrances, proving that sustainability can be both accessible and powerful!” says the founder at Refill Mill. Their commitment to making sustainable living easy and enjoyable aligns perfectly with our mission at Miniml.
Another fantastic woman-led business making waves in the refill world is REco Store in Tiptree, Essex. Founded six years ago, this shop operates out of a reused, solar-powered shipping container and has already refilled over 100,000 plastic bottles—an impact that’s hard to even quantify when it comes to food refills! “I chose to stock Miniml Refills because, firstly, I can send back the empty drums for refilling (zero plastic waste) and in doing this, I am supporting another UK business. Secondly, their products are green and clean, and customers love them,” says the founder of REco Store. Her dedication to sustainability and the local community proves the small changes that add up to a big impact.
We also want to celebrate Sero, the only refill shop in Aberystwyth, West Wales, founded and run single-handedly by Tori. Starting the business with her own savings, she has built something truly special, offering a wide range of refills—from cleaning and body care to food and eco-friendly products. On top of that, she runs not-for-profit recycling schemes, including Blister Pack recycling for medicine packets, with hopes to expand even further. With the help of her friends and two mums, Tori has created a thriving space for sustainability in her local community.
Another incredible women-led business making waves in the refill world is Arborfill, a Berkshire-based refill delivery service founded by the passionate and dedicated Carly. Arborfill helps to create healthier living and working environments by tackling the issue of single-use plastics head-on. With refillable, non-toxic products at the heart of the business, Carly also works to connect her community with local products, such as eggs from nearby farms, raw honey from local beekeepers, and Berkshire-roasted coffee beans. "Since starting my business three years ago, I've found that people are becoming more and more keen to support ethical, independent businesses that are good for them and the planet. I’m very happy to be able to facilitate this," Carly shares. 
Lastly, we'd love to give a shout-out to Sage, a zero-waste shop incorporated into a health food store in Surbiton. Founded by a local resident passionate about giving back to her community, Sage offers plastic-free solutions and high-quality, ethically sourced products that are good for both the planet and people. "If we really want to be part of the change for a better world, we need to make it as easy as possible for people to shop without single-use plastic," she shares.
These are just a few of the incredible women who are our stockists and the brilliant women-led refill stores making a difference. Their passion, dedication, and hard work are shaping a more sustainable future, proving that small businesses can make a big impact. Here's to celebrating them today and every day!