360 Eco Market in Durham Region stands out as a unique zero-waste store that offers solutions for zero-waste living by offering refillable products from personal care to household cleaners and eco-friendly alternatives to brushes and tissue paper.
This market is reshaping consumer habits and providing locals with practical solutions for reducing waste.
The heart of the business lies in its commitment to reduce household waste. Co-owners Brianne Blackman and Irania Ledesma run the store as a small team, balancing the day-to-day operations with their other jobs.
“We do everything ourselves marketing, bookkeeping, inventory and customer service. Between Brianna and I, we divide those roles equally,” said Ledesma.
Their vision for 360 Eco Market began with a simple idea to bring refillable products to Durham Region. Initially, they made trips to Toronto to refill their products, realizing a gap in the local market.
Starting as a mobile store, they travelled to different farmers markets and community events. “People were asking, ‘Where can I find you?’” Ledesma said. “We realized it’s important to have a location so people can rely on that.”
Opening a brick-and-mortar store provided them stability in hours and products and eased the logistical challenges of the mobile setup. “Having a physical store gives you other advantages as well,” Ledesma added.
However, launching a business with such an unconventional model came with its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was raising awareness. “Simply letting people know we exist has been one of our biggest challenge,” said Blackman.
But the most significant challenge, she explains, has been changing consumer behaviour. “We’re asking people to do something they’ve probably never done before or even thought about,” Blackman said.
Blackman and Ledesma hope that through creating awareness, they can inspire customers to reflect on their habits and embrace more sustainable alternatives.
According to Durham Region’s Waste Management Annual Report for 2022, the Blue Box Recycling program collected 38,315 tonnes of recyclable materials, which marked a decline of 3,571 tonnes from the previous year.
Ninety-five plastic bottles were diverted from recycling and landfills through refills in October, according to 360 Eco Market’s Instagram.
These materials include commonly recycled items like plastic bottles and detergent containers. 360 Eco Market is playing its part in reducing waste by providing refillable and low-waste options that help reduce the volume of materials entering the recycling system.
Regular customers, such as Patricia Adams, have embraced the market’s approach. She recalls first discovering the store at a farmers market in Oshawa. “I could see that they provided refills for plastics and glass right at the market,” Adams said. ”I knew then that this was what I was looking for in my life.” Now, she shops at 360 Eco Market with a focus on reusing and refilling, noting that her household waste has significantly decreased.
Similarly, Jackie Partyka, who met the co-owners at a Bowmanville market in 2022, says her family’s lifestyle has transformed. “They aligned with similar philosophies, outlooks, and views as I did. I wanted to be a part of a beautiful community-focused, solution-based initiative to better our planet.” Partyka said. “Shopping at 360 Eco Market has reinforced my commitment to sustainable living.”
To ensure sustainability is accessible to everyone, the co-owners have made keeping prices affordable a top priority. “You can’t expect people to change their behaviour and spend more at the same time,” Blackman explained.
Popular products include laundry detergent, dish soap and fabric softener, all refillable and chemical-free. Blackman said, “People come back not just for sustainability but for the quality of our products.”
Beyond offering eco-friendly products, 360 Eco Market also serves as an incubator for other local businesses. “We bring in other local, women-owned businesses that align with our zero-waste values,” Blackman said.
360 Eco Market’s dedication to sustainability has been recognized recently with the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability in Business award. Blackman described the recognition as “reassuring,” noting that it brings more visibility to their mission and encourages even more local shoppers to explore eco-friendly alternatives.
Looking ahead, Blackman and Ledesma plan to expand their product range and re-engage with local markets. “We’d like to get back into community markets and have that one-on-one interaction with the community again,” Blackman said.
“Make it a priority to start reducing your plastic waste at home.”