FAQ’s

ABOUT

What is FILL?

Fill is a range of refillable eco-responsible laundry & HOUSEHOLD cleaning products that look cool, work great & radically reduce packaging waste. Supplied in 500ml and 1L screen-printed glass bottles, return-for-refill 10L boxes, 20L Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) drum refills supplied in a close loop and returnable 200L bulk containers that we pick up and refill for a zero waste circular solution. We can make bigger too.

We make everything ourselves, at our own family-run factory in Northamptonshire with bright chemists combining biodegradable ingredients to create simple, modern & effective eco cleaning & laundry products. No dyes. No harsh chemicals. No single use plastic bottles. Much less waste.

Who is it for?

Fill is for everyone who’s interested in a better way to clean without waste. We set out to create the type of straightforward eco responsible products that we wanted to use, in glass bottles that look cool, so they won’t get thrown away. We supply a bunch of cool zero waste stores, refill shops, ethical supermarkets, farm shops, plant shops and conscious businesses, organisations and community projects.

When did FILL launch?

Fill Refill Project started in 2012 and we have been working on perfecting the fill range ever since. We are constantly looking at ways to improve our products and reduce waste. The website was launched in april 2018 to satisfy the growing demand for FILL REFILL products online.

Where are FILL products made?

We make everything in our much loved mid-20th century factory building, tucked away from the main road on the outskirts of Finedon, surrounded by the bright yellow rapeseed fields of Northamptonshire.

We are the manufacturer. All fill products are formulated, tested and developed by a small team of bright chemists and we make the products ourselves in our own factory. FILL products are intelligently made, thoughtfully designed and considerately packaged with the environment in mind.

Are you an independent company?

We sure are. We’re an independent, family-run, British manufacturer with no outside investment and no shareholders to satisfy. Our growth has been entirely organic, something that we’re very proud of.

FILL has grown purely by word of mouth and recommendations. What accreditations do you have? Click here for a list of our accreditations. We are undergoing assessment to becoming a BCorp member. We are seeking leaping bunny certification for all of our products. We were the first plastic free certified laundry detergent in the UK.

Products

Are FILL products vegan?

Yes, they are. We have Vegan accreditation for all of the FILL range. We don’t use any animal-derived raw materials for our products. No animals are harmed in our formulation, testing or manufacturing or any of our raw material supplier’s processes.

Are FILL products cruelty free?

Fill Refill Co believes that beauty and household products should be cruelty free. We are proud to be Leaping Bunny approved. A global programme, Leaping Bunny requires cruelty free standards over and above legal requirements.

All of our own brand cosmetic and personal care products and household and cleaning products are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme, the internationally recognisable gold standard for cruelty free products. We adhere to a fixed cut-off date policy and proactively monitor our suppliers ensure that our products continue to adhere to the Leaping Bunny criteria. Our supplier monitoring system is also independently audited.

For more information about Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny and Leaping Bunny criteria, please visit www.crueltyfreeinternational.org

Where can I see a list of the ingredients in the FILL products?

We’ve listed each ingredient found in FILL products on this site. Visit our ingredients page to find info about all the ingredients we use, what they are and why we use them.

Fill products are designed to conform to eco product regulations.

An ingredients list for each product can also be found on the product pages, screen-printed on glass FILL bottles and on FILL data sheets. If you have any questions about any ingredient write to hello@fillrefill.co

Are FILL products available fragrance free?

Yes, all of them are. We’ve made sure that all our unscented products contain no added fragrance. Unscented products are not odourless but they are free from fragrance.

How can I find out more about your formulations?

We believe in transparency, and welcome any questions you might have. We’ll direct them to our highly qualified chemists who are well versed in modern eco surfactant technology.

All our formulations are 100% readily biodegradable and free from harsh chemicals. They’re concentrated, wherever possible, to cut down on carbon footprint made when shipping. They don’t contain unnecessary dyes, pearlisers or other enhancements. We’ve only included what you need for a good clean.

We know from our own experience – and from the feedback we’ve received – that Fill products work really well but welcome any comments or suggestions you have.

How are FILL products packaged?

Our products are packaged in 100% reusable and recyclable 500ml or 1L glass bottles. Fill bottles are screen printed not labelled. They can be refilled over and over and over! We encourage you to refill or reuse them – even if you don’t continue to refill with FILL. Refills are available in RETURN-FOR-REFILL 10L BOXES, 20L POST CONSUMER RECYCLED (PCR) DRUM REFILLS and RETURNABLE 200L BULK CONTAINERS THAT WE PICK UP AND REFILL FOR A ZERO WASTE CIRCULAR SOLUTION.

Where can I view Product Information (PI) sheets?

Green chemistry and transparency are important to us. If you’d like more information on any of the products or if you have any questions mail hello@fillrefill.co

How can I find FILL safety data sheets (SDS)?

Up-to-date SDS are emailed to customers with all FILL orders.

What is the warning sign on my labels?

Stay with us here… CLP is the European Regulation on Classification, Labeling & Packaging of chemical substances and mixtures. Introduced in December 2010 for substances but as of 1st June 2015 it applies to mixtures too.

CLP aims to improve the safety for users and the environment by standardising the danger classifications of chemical substances and mixtures. For further info mail hello@fillrefill.co

Why glass bottles?

Plastic is a serious problem. We all know that. We want to ensure our customers refill FILL glass bottles to keep plastic out of the system. We promote refilling, recycling, avoiding single use plastic and buying in bulk.

In addition, we wanted to help create refill stations, in support of the rising tide of amazing zero waste stores in the UK, so that customers can bring bottles back to a store and refill over and over again, saving plastic waste and saving money. We’ve gone further than most by ensuring that our glass bottles are screen-printed with all the necessary product information and CLP labelling, to minimise any risks associated with refilling products into food containers or random empty vessels. This is important.

Head over to our stockists page to find a refill station near you or let us know if you’d like to see one in your local store.

Do you use palm oil?

Fill does not directly use Palm Oil in the manufacture of its’ products.

We ensure that where possible our raw materials are free from Palm Oil and its’ derivatives.

Where materials derived from Palm Oil have to be used we ensure that these have been manufactured using only sustainable Palm Oil.

What's the difference between SLS and SLES?

While both surfactants are very similar, SLS is a skin irritant. SLES is formulated to be milder and gentle on skin.

We do not use SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) in any of the FILL products. We include SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulphate) in Fill Hand Soap and Fill Wash Up formulations as a mild coconut based cleanser for removal of particulate soils.

How do I get clean dishes with fill dishwash powder?

Here’s the guide.

Are FILL products septic tank safe?

The FILL range is septic tank safe.

How do I return my Bag in Box for refill?

We’ve made the way we do return-for-refill easier & better.

We’ve invested in some new washing equipment to be able to wash out the bag in box liners ready to be refilled.

This means that all the returned bags will be put back into general circulation instead of going back out to the same user with the same product. That means we’ve been able to simplify the whole return process.

Now all you need to do is return the liner to the fill factory, so it can be washed & refilled.

Some bag in bags do not have a return box with the new instructions so you’ll need to handwrite the address on the parcel or print the label here.

We’ll make sure that postage is always free, so there’s no longer any need to send proof of receipt.

How it works (if using your own envelop or box)

1. Remove empty refill bag from outer box

2. Make sure to recycle outer box

3. Write the address below (including the code: ruck-ltyr-lkls) on the front of the package

4. Drop at your closest parcel post box or post office (don’t pay for postage! The code enables free post!)

5. Place a new order on the website for a new bag-in-box.

Code: ruck-ltyr-lkls

Address:
Fill refill co
Atlas house
28 burton road
Finedon
Wellingborough
Nn9 5hx

How it works (if using the free post return box)

1. Remove empty refill bag from outer box

2. Make sure to recycle outer box

3. Assemble return for refill mailing box

4. Fold refill bag & place inside mailing box

5. Drop at your closest parcel post box or post office

is it normal for fill products to vary slightly in colour/shade from batch to batch?

yes. some fragrances can discolour when exposed to uv over an extended period. this is normal. we chose to pack in clear, glass refillable bottles so as not to hide what’s inside. also, naturally sourced surfactants can vary in colour depending on feedstock. we choose raw materials using natural oils which means we can’t always reproduce a consistent shade in the finished product. this might be more obvious in a fill product because everything we make is dye free. fill products will vary slightly in colour from colourless, pale straw to straw coloured, but these are all real colours (ie. from the raw materials & not synthetically dyed).

Export

How can I become an overseas distributor or stockist?

Mail hello@fillrefill.co if you’re interested in becoming a distributor or stockist of FILL somewhere tropical.

Can I find your products outside of the UK?

We’ve only got a few FILL stockists outside of the UK, but we wouldn’t say no to a few more.

Can you export Fill anywhere in the world?

We’ll ship FILL products anywhere in the world if it makes sense to do so and if there’s a way to get it there that isn’t wasteful.

Laundry

What’s so special about FILL Laundry Liquid?

FILL laundry liquid is safe to sensitive skin. It’s a modern eco plant based formulation based on the latest bio-surfactants. We don’t use optical brighteners, dyes, enzymes or harsh chemicals. It’s best to stick with unscented products if you’re prone to sensitivities. Fill laundry liquid is certified plastic free and carried the vegan trademark. The unscented laundry liquid is allergy Uk approved.

How many loads of laundry does one 500ml of FILL laundry detergent do?

One 500ml bottle of FILL laundry detergent should be able to handle 25 washes in a domestic machine, depending on the size of your load.

How much detergent do I need to use per load?

We recommend using 20-40mls in a standard washing machine on regular light soiling up to a maximum of 60ml for very heavy soil.

Is FILL suitable for hand washing clothes?

Yes, FILL laundry liquid can be used for both machine and hand washing. For hand washing, we recommend diluting 1-2 capfuls in a wash basin full of warm water. Soak for 5 minutes and rinse in cold water. Always follow garment care instructions and machine manufacturers’ guidelines.

Is FILL gentle enough to use for washing wool, silk, cashmere?

It sure is, FILL has been successfully used to hand wash wool, cashmere and silk in cold water with good results. Always follow garment care instructions on the label.

Are fill laundry products bio or non bio?

Our laundry liquid is deliberately designed to be non bio (enzyme free). Bio laundry detergents contain enzymes – these may sometimes cause skin irritations for those with sensitive skin. It’s generally acknowledged that enzymes can require higher temperatures to be most effective or that they need a longer period of time to work. We set out to design a modern laundry detergent to be effective at lower temperatures for shorter domestic cycles.

How do I wash cloth nappies with fill?

Here’s the guide

Ordering

Who should I contact in regard to returns, damages or complaints?

We’re committed to great service and happy customers. If an item has been damaged in transit, we are happy to refund or replace it. Please contact hello@fillrefill.co and forward a picture of the damages.

If you wish to make a complaint or report any damages, please mail hello@fillrefill.co as soon as you are aware of a problem. We’ll pick up and replace any damaged or faulty goods. Damages must be reported within 7 days of delivery. See terms and conditions.

If you have purchased an item from one of our stockists, please write to them directly to review their returns policy.

How do you close the loop?

We’re all about closing loops.

You can return your bottles to any of our wonderful stockists for a refill (stockists map)

You can return the bag-in-box liners (5l/10l) to the factory by freepost & we’ll wash & refill them. (see products: how do i return my box for refill). They don’t get thrown away. They don’t get sent for recycling. They get refilled.

We always collect, wash, refill & return all 20l pcrs, 200l drums (with our brilliant driver dave) & 1000l ibcs for refill.

Shipping

Where does FILL ship?

We currently ship for free to any address in mainland United Kingdom, but that doesn’t mean we can’t ship further afield! Send an email to hello@fillrefill.co and we’ll look into whether we can ship to where you are.

How do you ship?

We ship all orders via Royal Mail. We currently include shipping on all mainland UK Fill orders.

We’re constantly looking for better, more responsible methods of delivery. We’re be open to any suggestions or ideas you might have. Please write to us at hello@fillrefill.co

How do you package FILL for shipping?

Our mission is to reduce single use packaging. All of our packaging is recyclable.

Fill is packed for shipping by hand in our warehouse, and we date stamp and sign each transit box, so you know exactly who has packed it. We don’t use any plastic packaging to ship and have designed a transit box for each 500ml bottle that doesn’t require additional packaging materials. We use paper tape and 100% recyclable paper and card.

How long will it take for my order to get to me?

We aim to ship orders out in 5 – 7 working days. If an item is not immediately available or if there is a delay, you will receive a separate email that will indicate an estimated wait time. We make everything ourselves in our own factory, so it won’t take long for us to make a fresh batch!

Once your order has shipped you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information.

Privacy

Where can I find your privacy policy?

Your privacy is important to us! Find our privacy policy here

How to FILL

Can I buy in bulk for home use?

Why not? We’ve always wanted to make this a reality. Now anyone can buy eco household cleaning products directly from an independent British manufacturer, without unnecessary plastic packaging waste!

Do FILL bottles come with the relevant trigger / pump spray pumps?

Yes they do.

Can you return bag in boxes to the factory for refill?

Yes, you can! Place a new order & return the inner bag to the factory where it came from with the tap still in position. No tape needed. Compost, reuse or recycle the cardboard box. Send us the inner bag by freepost using the printed mailing box inside or with your own envelope (for older bag-in-boxes). We’ll wash & refill it. Thanks for being cool. We get a thrill every time we get one through the mail.

(see products: how do i return my box for refill)

Press

Who's the best person to speak to about press enquiries or opportunities?

Mail hello@fillrefill.co, call 01933 543270 or message us directly on instagram @fill_co

I have another question, who do I speak to?

No worries! Write to us at hello@fillrefill.co with your question.

Packaging

Where are the FILL bottles made?

Our refillable 500ml glass FILL bottles are made in the EU using 40% cullet (recycled waste glass). They are 100% recyclable. More importantly, they are 100% refillable and re-usable!

Only analysed and quality controlled cullet from approved suppliers is used. Hydrolytical resistance and chemical constitution of glass is reviewed three times a week by our supplier.

Are FILL bag-in-boxes and 20L drums recyclable. Are they made from recycled materials?

The outer cardboard packaging of the FILL bag-in-boxes is 100% recyclable. We are currently reviewing options to find the most sustainable plastic liners.

FILL 20L drums are made from 100% PCR (Post Consumer Recycled) rHDPE and they are 100% recyclable.

How to FILL (Professional)

Can I buy in bulk for my business?

Yes, we love this! Why not use eco-friendly bulk refillable cleaning products in your business.

We currently supply FILL to a bunch of business premises, photographic studios, restaurants, offices, cleaning companies and public buildings. Join them!

We believe in Bulk

Tell us about 200L Returnables?

We now supply all fill liquids in un spec 200l natural drums for closed loop filling with no plastic waste.

FILL 200l drums are stencilled with efi (environmentally friendly industrial) ink. Drums can be supplied x2 or x4 on a pallet without the need for plastic wrap. Drums will be delivered direct from our factory in northamptonshire.

We arrange collection of all empty 200l fill drums. We launder them, refill and re-use.

Over time, stencilled fill 200l drums might start to look a little time-worn, this is all part of their charm.

Please note that 200l drums are very heavy, and need specialist equipment to manoeuvre.

FILL 200l drums are 950mm (height) x 581mm (diameter).

How do I Return & Refill 20L and 200L drums?

Replace all bungs on empty fill drums before returning.

When placing a new order, tell us how many empty drums you need picking up before requesting a return pick-up.

Every stockist is different, but if we can make it work together, bulk returnable refills represent a great way for us to supply without plastic waste!

We’d be happy to work with you on any other ideas you may have to supply in a better way. Just ask.