oh my...It's Plastic Free July

September 5, 2026 Jessica Cichowlas

Want to beat the heat? enjoy some slow shopping in the A/C + wifi at BYOC Co! Lucy and I will be at the shop all week/weekend, ready to welcome any visitors, while working on some "behind the scenes" projects.

It's been awhile since a newsletter so this one feels extra full of information, dates, and events. If you don't read past this, hope to see you soon! -Jessica

Read on for updates:

Plastic Free July
Ypsilanti Farmers Market or Gateway Farm Hub
Scent Your Own Sunday + Newest Products
Clothing Swaps + Compost Map
B2B + Bulk Discounts

Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is about turning everyday choices into long-term changes. Individual action also drives policy change, and Plastic Free July continues to inspire governments around the WORLD to act on plastic pollution. (https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/)

I would love to support your everyday choices this July, and frankly, maybe for a much longer time after that. If you've followed BYOC Co for awhile, Emma and I have shared many personal tips, tricks, hacks, recommendations, etc. On social media, you've been in about every room of our homes as we've moved through our waste reduction journeys.

So...show me what YOU do to reduce plastic in your life!

Download a weekly challenge or BINGO card. I'll also have some printed copies available at BYOC Co. and the Ypsi Farmers Market booth.

Submit photos of completing a weekly challenge or BINGO to hello@byocco.com, Instagram or Facebook message.

Tag #PlasticFreeMichigan for extra submissions.

Each submission will be entered to win a $25 gift card to BYOC Co. Winners will be selected Aug 1.

bonus: View the #PlasticFreeMichigan tag to see others across Michigan participating in the challenges. Yes, other refill shops around the state are coordinating efforts again :)

Every refill counts!

Our community has saved over 138,000 containers from going to a landfill by:

refilling - reusing - making sustainable swaps in daily living

Ypsilanti Farmers Markets

*No market this weekend, July 4*

next market: July 11

Join us Saturdays from 9am-1pm at 16 S Washington St, Ypsilanti. The Farmers Market is every Saturday throughout the summer into October! We have all the Michigan-made products available, or order online to pick up other BYOC Co products at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market!

Email hello@byocco.com with any online ordering questions or issues.

Scent-your-own Sunday

July 19, 11am-5pm

This idea is originating from my overstock collection of essential oil, mixed with an excuse to have some fun! Two ways to custom scent:

Refill on the any unscented product and custom scent it with oil options listed below ($0.35-$1.00 per oz, depending on product)

Or, bring a clean and dry container to refill on the pure essential oils by the ounce ($7-$16 per ounce, depending on oil)

Available oils include

Blood Orange, Sweet Orange, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Lavender, Magnolia, Lilac, Clove, Cedarwood, Pine Needle, and more!

What are essential oils? Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture the natural fragrance and properties of plants. Essential oils are used in our products for fragrance as a non-synthetic alternative to chemicals. They can also have beneficial properties with proper use.

Essential oils are safe when used correctly, but because they are highly concentrated, improper use can lead to skin irritation, toxicity, or other adverse reactions. Following safe usage guidelines is key to maximizing their benefits and minimizing risks. Don't worry - I will guide you on proper ratios!

Order for pick up at Gateway Farm Hub (Plymouth, MI)

How it works:

1. Select product from the online store and select your preferred container type if ordering a refillable product.

2. Use the “Quantity” dropdown to indicate how many ounces you’d like. Example: For 8 oz of hand soap, select “8”.

3. Choose "Pick up in store" to show the two location options: Ypsilanti Farmers Market and Gateway Farm Hub.

Deadline to place orders online: Wednesday, July 22 at midnight

Pickup timeframe: last weekend of the month at Gateway Farm Hub: July 24 - July 26

psst... Deadline for their summer CSA is July 3!

Newest Arrivals at BYOC Co

Reusable Water Balloons

Freeze Pop Molds

Catnip Kickers

Pump Dispenser Lid

Sprayer Lid

Stainless Steel Jar Lids

Green Tea & Charcoal Facial Cleanser Refill

24 Hour Allergy Relief (Compares to Zyrtec)

Grow-Your-Own Cat Grass Kit

A²ZERO Summer Clothing Swaps

Join the monthly A²ZERO clothing swaps on the third Thursday of each month at Ann Arbor City Hall! These completely free events will be held on July 16 and August 20. Swaps are an opportunity to refresh your wardrobe, without buying new. Swaps are also a chance to gift your gently used clothes to members of your community, without contributing to the 92 million tons of textile waste generated globally each year.

How it works: Each person can bring up to 10 items of clothing in good condition (no rips, holes, stains or unwashed items please unless you're bringing them to the mending workshop!). Accessories such as bags, jewelry, and belts are also welcome. You can take clothing without bringing anything, or bring clothing without taking anything.

Skill Building Workshop: This summer we'll have workshops on making reusable bags from T-shirts, denim rescue and sashiko. Check out the full swap and workshop schedule, subscribe for updates, or RSVP Here.

Compost! It's Happening in Washtenaw!

Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner's Office has started a project documenting home composting. This map shows residents who are composting their own food scraps and yard waste in a home-system such as a tumbler, outdoor pile, or bucket. Your efforts will inspire people to dig in and you can find projects to get inspired yourself!

View and add to the map!

In the United States, it's estimated about 96% of food waste is going to a landfill. 70% of global greenhouse emissions come from our food and stuff. Extracting, transporting, manufacturing, storing, using, and disposing of things that end up in landfills are huge drivers of climate change and equally big opportunities to quickly address the climate and environmental crisis (https://zerowaste.org/guides/problem-with-waste)

Compost is nature's own recycling system and one of the most impactful actions to supporting our planet!

B2B and Bulk Discounts

Ready to convert your business or workplace into a low-waste space?

AirBNBs, fitness studios, small offices, etc. enjoy 20% off powder and liquid refill products. We have a handful of businesses already participating, but I'm looking to expand! Must register by contacting hello@byocco.com. Just bring your own containers into BYOC, refill on your necessities, and discount will automatically apply at checkout.

Need more than 1 gallon or a larger quantity?

Most products on the BYOC Co website are available for even larger quantities at a larger discount. If you are looking to stock 3 or more gallons, email hello@byocco.com or reply to this email for custom pricing discounts. Delivery available.

See you soon!

Jessica Cichowlas

Owner, BYOC Co.
Sustainability Commissioner, City of Ypsilanti
Board Member, SCRAP Creative Reuse
Co-host, Capitalism for Green

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