How to refill using our Compostable Refill Pouches
Refilling is one of the simples ways to reduce waste, and our compostable refill pouches make it easy, clean and considered. Here's everything you need to know, from refilling your bottle to disposing of your pouch responsibly.
How to refill your bottle
Start with a clean, sterilised bottle. Warm soapy water works perfectly, or you can use our Aloe Vera Alcohol Cleansing Solution.
Have everything to hand before you begin, including a cloth for any drips. If your bottle has a narrow neck, a mini funnel can help keep things mess-free.
Snip the corner of the pouch along the marked line: one option for thicker formulas like conditioner and creams, and another for thinner liquids such as serums and toners. Pinch where indicated, turn the pouch upside down over your bottle, then release to let the product flow. For every last drop, you may find it easier to remove the pouch from its card and gently squeeze, particularly for 250ml bottles.
What to do with your pouch afterwards
Once empty, rinse the pouch and check the wallet for disposal instructions. The cardboard wallet can be recycled or added to your compost. The pouch itself is home compostable and will naturally breakdown in around 32-34 weeks. No home compost? Many customers choose to drop theirs at a local community garden that has a compost.
What makes the pouches compostable?
The pouch film has a 55% bio-based content and is made from layers of wood-pulp cellulose combined with a biodegradable bio-polymer. A fine, sprayed layer of aluminium creates a vital moisture barrier to safely hold liquids. It oxidises naturally during composting and is completely inert.
The films are independently tested and certified to EN13432 standards for industrial composting, and while they narrowly miss "home compost" certification, they do fully break down in home compost.
Compostable vs recyclable - what's better?
Neither is universally "better", it depends on the application. Rigid plastics like PET bottles are widely recycled and work well in existing systems. Flexible films, however, are difficult to recycle, which is where compostable materials come into their own,
It's important not to put compostable materials into your recycling bin, as they can contaminate recyclable waste streams. Likewise, compostable films shouldn't go into food waste collections, which are typically processed via anaerobic digestions where all plastics are removed.
And if it ends up in landfill?
If a compostable film doesn't reach composting conditions, it won't break down, but it also won't release the harmful gases associated with conventional plastics during incineration, which is how much UK waste is currently processed.
Thoughtful materials, carefully tested
All the films are independently tested for compostability, biodegradation and eco-toxicity by accredited European laboratories. The cardboard wallets are FSC-certified, printed in the UK using vegetable inks, and are fully recyclable or compostable, perfect for feeding worms if you have a compost heap.
Refilling with Bramley is about making small, meaningful choices that add up, beautifully designed products, less waste, and packaging that's considered from start to finish.
