We love celebrating our local makers who are doing great things in our communities! One such maker is Jamie from Rise Up Refill in Waterbury, VT. You can check out her products at our Waterbury market!

Q. Tell us your story.

A. My business began on March 1st, 2025, when I opened Rise Up Refill in downtown Waterbury. I decided to start a zero-waste store after my own waste reduction journey began in 2018 after hearing China was no longer accepting our recycling waste. This was because the materials we were sending over were so contaminated, and we were producing way too much of it. In the years to follow, I tried out many different plastic-free products including making a lot of items from scratch. I joined online subscriptions and pieced together a low-waste lifestyle.

In 2024, I was inspired to design a store that would offer all of the essentials in one place for customers to see and buy. Thus, Rise Up Refill was born! Every product is either refillable, reusable, or compostable.

Rise Up Refill has been open just over a year and we have refilled 5,600 containers! I am so excited to see these numbers and to continue to help the community lesson our consumption of single-use plastic for a healthier future.

Q. What makes your product unique?

A. My products are completely non-toxic and refillable. The containers are designed to be reused again and again.

Q. What inspires your work?

A. I am inspired to reduce the amount of plastic pollution our culture and communities produce and educate people on how to live a more low-waste lifestyle.

Q. What do you love most about being part of the Woodstock Farmers’ Market community?

A. Being a part of a market that really values small businesses and high quality products and missions!

Q. Is there anything customers might be surprised to learn about your business?

A. I work with small businesses who are committed to sustainable practices and who have closed-loop systems. This means they take back the large empty bulk containers to be washed, refilled, and reused.