Lookout: Westside startup’s innovative, self-serve soap dispensers aim to reduce single-use plastics

Single-use plastics, like soap and shampoo bottles, fill landfills around the country, and many efforts to increase recycling have fallen flat. California’s waste agency, CalRecycle, found that just 5% of colored shampoo and detergent bottles are recycled, and as much as 3 million tons of single-use plastic is sold annually in the state. Santa Cruz startup Wonderfil has set its sights on helping reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles by making it easier for consumers to refill bottles for products like shampoo, laundry detergent and hand soap. The solution: special refill stations that allow users to use the containers of their choice, fill them up with soap products and pay by the ounce — just as easy as buying gas at the gas station. More INFO