As Plastic Free July continues, we McSisters want to introduce you to Kim Neal, founder and owner of Sonoma County Trading Company and Refillery.  In Kim’s two shops you can find all-natural household soaps, self-care products, home goods, accessories, up-cycled clothing, and more. Kim’s goal is to carry products that are eco-friendly, zero-waste, sustainable, recycled or up-cycled.  Over 90% of her vendors are women-owned, small businesses and most are based in the U.S., some locally.  Both shops feature a refillery of all natural, organic sulfate free soaps, lotions, and cleaning products.  It’s simple to do - you can bring in your own containers or buy plastic free containers at the stores.

Kim’s journey to creating her stores began while living in Fiji with her husband and daughters. Sadly, Kim saw first-hand the devastating impacts of plastic.  She saw sea turtles caught in plastic bags and fish and birds dying on the beach because of plastic consumption.  The family saw plastic toothbrushes, razors, grocery bags and water bottles littering the pristine white beaches and turquoise blue water. 

This experience pushed Kim into taking action.   She does not call herself an expert in plastic free and sustainable living.  Kim strives to use less and re-use more in her daily life.  She believes that small changes can lead to big rewards, hence Sonoma County Trading Company was born.  Her goal is to inspire others to join the movement to reduce, and re-use so together we can make an impact to help make our world a healthier one for generations to come. Kim says: “You don’t need to be perfect, the task is not so daunting if we all make changes a little at a time.”

 Kim is committed to educating and spreading awareness about why we should all consider refill stores.  With that focus Kim is hosting a showing of the award-winning film “Microplastic Madness” at the Clover Theater in Cloverdale on Sunday July 23rd at 11am.  See the flier at the bottom of this blog for more information. Kim would love for you to join her at the film and visit her store after the showing.

What Can you Do?

·      Visit Kim’s stores: Two Locations:WINDSOR The Community Shops (Inside Raley's) 8852 Lakewood Dr. Windsor, CA and CLOVERDALE 115 E. First Street Cloverdale, CA

·      Visit Kim’s website https://www.socotradingcompany.com

·      Find and visit a refill store in your area.

·      Continue to participate in the Plastic Free July challenge by refusing, reusing, and REFILLING.

·      Take the Plastic Free July quiz at https://www.plasticfreejuly.org