Sen. Dodd: Refill Madness is Sonoma County Small Business of the Year

With the goal of reducing plastic waste, Jana Wang, co-owner of Refill Madness Sonoma, opened her shop during the pandemic, giving customers a safe place to fill their own containers with household goods such as soaps and lotions. For her effort to keep tons of plastic from local landfills, her store has been named Sonoma County Small Business of the Year for 2021 by Sen. Bill Dodd.

 “Jana has created a great business that is also good for the planet,” Sen. Dodd said. “With the amount of plastic entering our waste stream each year, it’s essential that we reuse and refill our containers. I am happy to recognize Refill Madness for opening such a much-needed store that actually improves our planet.”

 “This is such a wonderful surprise,” said Jana Wang (above). “I want to thank Sen. Dodd for this recognition. This gives me faith that we are headed in the right direction, and our business and customers will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment. I am truly honored to receive this award.”

 Wang opened Refill Madness in February with business partner Sloane Read, who owns the original Refill Madness store in Sacramento. The businesses came in response to a startling fact – that the average American throws away about 185 pounds of plastic each year, according to the company. And it takes up to 1,000 years for plastic to degrade. During that time, plastic can be absorbed into the body.

 Refill Madness allows customers to bring their empty containers – from glass jars to plastic jugs – to refill them with products the business buys in bulk such as shampoo and lotion. The store on 500 W. Napa Street also sells eco-friendly and biodegradable items such as bamboo toothbrushes, natural fiber kitchen scrubbers and reusable food wrap.