Many of us toss a bottle out without thinking more about it. At Love Thy Nature Refillery, in Medford, owner Dana Jeffas invites the community to pause—and refill instead.

After nearly two decades working in the beauty industry as a licensed skincare specialist, corporate educator and national sales manager, Jeffas began noticing something she could no longer ignore: the endless stream of plastic bottles and packaging attached to everyday personal care products. Behind the polished branding was a growing environmental cost.

At around the same time, Jeffas faced her own health challenges, which led her to explore more natural ways of living. Working with a holistic practitioner and a functional medicine doctor opened her eyes to the connection between ingredients, environmental exposures and overall wellness. What began as a personal journey toward healing soon sparked a larger realization: The next chapter of her career needed to align with the values she was now living.

Love Thy Nature Refillery was born from that shift.

For those new to the concept, a refill market offers an alternative to the traditional “buy, use, toss” retail model. Instead of purchasing a brand-new plastic bottle each time a product runs out, customers bring their own clean dry containers—or purchase reusable glass ones in the store—and refill them with the amount they need.

At Love Thy Nature, customers step up to refill stations stocked with natural household and body care essentials. Everyday products such as laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap, body wash and plant-based cleaning solutions can all be replenished without creating additional plastic waste.

Customers simply tear and tag their empty container, fill it with their chosen product and pay for what they pour. The result is less packaging, less waste and greater awareness of what we use in our homes every day.

Sustainability extends beyond the refill stations. Love Thy Nature partners with brands that prioritize responsible production and closed-loop packaging programs designed to keep containers in circulation rather than sending them to landfills. The shop also supports recycling initiatives for harder-to-process items and offers carefully selected products made with safer, toxin-free ingredients.

Equally important to Jeffas is the sense of community that has grown around the store. Conversations across the refill counter often turn to simple lifestyle shifts—switching to safer cleaning products, reducing household waste or making small choices that support both personal and planetary health.

Earth Month is a natural reminder that caring for the environment does not always require sweeping change. Often, it begins with everyday habits.

At Love Thy Nature Refillery, it might start with something as simple—and meaningful—as bringing a bottle back to be filled again.

Love Thy Nature Refillery is located at 43 N. Main St., Medford, NJ. For more information, visit www.LoveThyNatureRefillery.com.