CANTON, Ohio — Tucked away in Canton's Downtown Arts District is a place that sells all things sustainable. It's called Empty Bins-Zero Waste and it's the brainchild of owner Teresa Mazey.
"Everything is organic, all natural, and sustainable and that's very important to us," said Mazey.
The idea for implementing a zero-waste lifestyle came to her upon the birth of her granddaughter, Valencia.
"I immediately fell in love with her and started thinking about her future and the future for all young people. We're going to leave them in a bad place unless something changes."
So that's what she did. She started, on her own, removing single use plastics from her families lives, and then thought "Why not a store?" She started selling on-line and it really took off, so a brick and mortar was soon to follow.
Those who want to reduce their plastic waste will find a myriad of items to help them on that path from reusable, handmade snack and sandwich bags to environmentally safe soaps to reusable stainless steel straws.
Mazey continued, "Thanks to social media, our straws have been our biggest seller. Still are. They will last for years and you can't find that these days. You can also get a carrier and straw cleaner to keep them clean."
The shop is offering a new service. It's called "refillery". Customers can bring in their own containers and get organic, environmentally safe laundry detergent, dish soap, and even shampoo. Teresa even has recipes so you can make your own at home.
Though she sells a variety of sustainable products, Mazey does give something away to anyone who will listen. Information.
"When people come in and ask questions about the products or how to become less wasteful, it really puts my husband and I over the moon. I sleep well at night because it gives me hope that things will get better."
One straw at a time.