Trying a new recipe that needs a pinch of something not on your spice shelf? Devouring your favorite local honey and noticing a pile of jars stacking up? Fulfilled Goods of Newton has you covered.
Opened in 2022, Fulfilled Goods is a low-waste, package-free market and bulk refillery. It offers everything from dried goji berries and locally roasted coffee beans to herbal bath bombs and bamboo toothbrushes.
Instead of buying an entire jar of whole organic caraway seeds when that new bagel recipe calls for only a tablespoon, you can visit Fulfilled Goods with a reusable container in hand to get exactly what you need. Whether the motivation to visit Fulfilled Goods is environmentally, socially, or economically motivated, shoppers can enjoy multiple benefits from this shopping experience.
“I got into it because I love cooking, and I like the idea of being able to try new things… you can buy as much or as little as you want.”
– Shara Ertel, owner of Fulfilled Goods
Patrons also have options for containers. They may bring their own clean and dry containers from home, which are inspected and tared before filling. Forgot your jar? No problem! Although the store encourages people to use jars they already have, reusable glass jars are available for purchase. Fulfilled Goods also collects clean glass containers donated from the community and sanitizes them before offering them for free to use for filling. To avoid any possible contamination, employees fill bulk food containers using funnels and scoops, which are then sanitized after each use. Staff filling also minimizes spills, thereby avoiding product loss and reducing waste.
While this reusable system requires frequent washing, the process helps prevent single-use waste while ensuring compliance with the Massachusetts Merged Food Code. The Newton City Council passed the Sustainable Food and Beverage Serviceware, Packaging, and Single-Use Items ordinance in 2023 to reduce single-use takeout container waste.
“Any swap is a good swap,” Ertel shared about making the switch to reusable packaging. “We are a judgment-free zone and focus on progress over perfection. Come check us out and find a swap that works for you!”
This is “the way shopping used to be,” said Shara Ertel. Fulfilled Goods is located in Newtonville and is coming soon to Newton Center.
If your business is interested in offering refillable containers for bulk goods, call (888) 254-5525 or email info@recyclingworksma.com to get started.
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a recycling assistance program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and delivered under contract by CET. We help businesses and institutions reduce waste and maximize recycling, reuse, and food recovery opportunities.