"We've had a lot of people come in and say, 'Oh, I was thinking Memphis needed a zero-waste refill store and here you are,'" said Becky Beloin, the owner of Boshi Botanicals.
Boshi Botanicals opened Nov. 1 at Chickasaw Oaks. The grand opening for the store, located at 3092 Poplar Ave., Suite 16, is set for Feb. 29.
Boshi offers handmade soaps, body care products from toothpaste and perfumes to lip balms and deodorants, and cleaning products. When Beloin opened the store, she had her eye on zero-waste practices and products. To that end, she offers items in bulk and products that reduce waste, such as beeswax wraps and unpaper towels. There's also a jar bank for customers to use or to donate their unwanted jars.
While Boshi is a zero-waste store, there's no state or federal program to qualify as a zero waste, according to Beloin. Clean Memphis is rolling out a certification program, and Beloin is planning on taking part in that.
"It's such a new concept that people are figuring it out as you go," Beloin said. "I've spent some time traveling around to other regional zero-waste stores to learn, 'What are they doing? What can I do better?'"
Boshi offers customers a point system for every eco-friendly practice, such as using your own shopping bag or bringing in a jar to use for their products. The points add up and go toward discounts at the store.
Beloin said it's the small changes that count.
"It's not about perfection, it's about mindful consumption," she said.
Beloin has been busy creating new products for the store, including a body oil that is almond oil infused with lavender buds and vanilla beans. There's also solid lotion bars that melt with the heat of the skin. In January, she introduced workshops where customers can create their own fizzing bath salts, bath bombs, and face masks.
Boshi is a store about care — self care and care for the planet. Beloin said if the beeswax wraps, used as an alternative to plastic wrap, don't work for you, there are other items that might. The importance is having that selection.
"We live in a society of convenience. So, when the options aren't there to be as sustainable, it's hard to be sustainable," she said.
