Continue Echotopia's 10-yr Zero-Waste Journey
Donation protected
On June 13, 2015, Echotopia LLC, Maryland's 1st zero-waste business, launched its refill-station stall at Baltimore farmers markets. Since then, our customers have prevented 4,300+ trash items. Less trash = cleaner waterways, cleaner air, and soil. There's more:
Echotopia's impact:
- Our influence on the local economy is growing. Our products are sold at an award-winning shop in Remington, a gorgeous store on Harford Road, and we sell bulk detergent to a non-profit that offers youth nature experiences. Best yet, two multi-business 'refill-and reuse' pop ups are planned this spring; we want these to become routine events.
- We handmake and sell natural cleaning powders: laundry detergents, scouring scrubs and hand scrubs.
- Our aromatic products are very concentrated, saving $$$.
- Our Lavender, Sage and Rosemary Laundry Detergent is our most popular product. Our Hint-of-Mint Hand Scrub comes in at a close second.
- Our ingredients are US-sourced, our containers are PA-made glass jars, and our refill glass jars are upcycled from a friend (IYKYK).
- Customers can bring their own containers.
- Refills are $2 off.
- Our herbs - peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, sage, chamomile, thyme - are from our pollinator garden.
- We use gentle essential oils. They are derived from flowers, leaves and seeds. They have aromatherapeutic and other beneficial properties if used with care.
- We have distributed 300+ Echotopia Seed Rounds, to our customers for planting pollinator gardens. These are small upcycled paper discs embedded with our garden's native flower seeds.
All this - with a part-time owner/operator, talented freelancers, generous partners and consultants!
In 2025, more than ever, Maryland needs re-use businesses.
Sadly, Echotopia is experiencing ever-higher costs for our ingredients, labor and basic operations. In spite of years of economizing, we may have to shutter our operations soon.
As we approach June 13, 2025, the date of our 10th anniversary, please pitch in. Please also share your work or words of support. Times are tough - any words or amount will be gratefully received.
With enough funds, Echotopia plans to work with our business consultants to become a sustainable social enterprise.
For future generations, let's make more good echoes. We can still clean it up.
Diane Wittner
Alchemist, owner & operator
Echotopia LLC
.
Baltimore, MD
Organizer
Diane Wittner
Organizer
Baltimore, MD