Kim Neal

After spending 3 years living in the Fiji Islands and witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of single-use plastics in the ocean environment, I vowed to make a difference somehow. I started Sonoma County Trading Company as an online site in October of 2021 offering more sustainable options for everyday products. Four months later, I was able to open a small shop inside The Community Shops (a Co-op in Windsor), where I added a Refillery. The most enjoyable and rewarding part of my job is starting the conversation with “newbies.” Whether or not they purchase items, I can almost see the wheels turning as they leave the shop, pondering our conversation. More often than not, they return (often with friends in tow and bottles in hand) to fill with more earth-friendly products. The shop has been well received, and I’m very excited to announce that I will be opening a second shop in Cloverdale in early August. I hope that sharing my story and providing a convenient means will encourage others to rethink their current habits and choose a more sustainable lifestyle.