ZERO WASTE GAME

Thea Merritt, owner and founder of Eco Now, is on a mission to help people make sustainable choices. |

Founded in 2018 by Thea Merrit, Eco Now is the first zero-waste retailer in Orange County, selling household and personal care items. She currently operates stores in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, and Laguna Beach, with plans to open two more stores in Riverside and Garden Grove by spring 2023.

What made you decide to start Eco Now?

I wanted to build a community for sustainable

By Danielle Bauter

living and have people understand the resources and cultivate connections. The goal was to recognize that as a group, we’re doing our part so that we can motivate others to do so as well.

How did your business evolve from farmers markets to multiple retail storefronts?

When I initially started out, I was working at a school district and had received feedback from my coworkers and friends asking me why I bike to work, or why I pack my lunches with my own utensils. I explained that it was something I did because I had a passion for creating zero waste. This set o a lightbulb inside my head. I wanted to see if there would be any interest in the things I make for myself like reusable paper towels. So I brought them to a farmers market and although I didn’t sell much initially, it was inspiring to see the way members of the community responded to the products.

What happened once you decided to market your business?

I started an Instagram account, which got a good response. The time between when I started selling at farmers markets to when I opened my first store was about a five-month span. So it happened really quickly. I started in the summer of 2019 going to farmers markets, and then opened in a tiny airstream trailer in October. After three months, the demand was so high that I moved to an actual storefront at The LAB in Costa Mesa.

What have been some of the biggest challenges with starting your business?

I think there were a lot of questions at first about how we could be a zero waste store. We had to be very transparent about how we source products because we don’t make them in house, and how we deal with waste on our end. So I’ve been able to create solid relationships with local makers and through that process I closed the loop with the makers. We buy our products in five-gallon buckets up to 55-gallon drums, and we return those buckets and drums to the maker to refill them.

What are your tips for how to be sustainable while visiting Anaheim? I would say the biggest thing is bringing your own, especially while traveling. This idea of bringing along your own set of reusable utensils, or water bottles, really makes a big di erence in the day-to-day. I always bring a tote with me and produce bags if I’m going to pop over to the farmers market so that I don’t have to use the plastic bags. When you’re traveling, it’s helpful to bring these items with you. It ends up not only being a zerowaste thing, but also a convenience thing.

Eco Conscious Retail

 Check out these other sustainable businesses making a di erence in Orange County.

The Bicycle Tree

Opened in 2006, this non-profit community bike center and shop is powered by volunteers who help cyclists fix their bikes by teaching bike repair and maintenance. The shop carries a range of quality secondhand bikes and new and used bike parts and gear. 702 W. 17th St., Santa Ana; 714-760-4681; thebicycletree.org

The Ecology Center

A non-profit that teaches classes by local farmers on how to grow your own food, The Ecology Center is a great organization where you can spend a day visiting the farm. You can also find bulk laundry detergent, liquid cleaners, and locally-made extra virgin olive oil. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano; 949-443-4223

Pali Wine Co.

Housed inside the MAKE Building, this winery and tasting room will refill your wine bottles and works with local wineries from the central coast of California with a focus on sustainable, organic, or biodynamically-farmed grapes. 500 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim; 714-486-0922; paliwineco.com

SEED Peoples Market

With locations at The CAMP in Costa Mesa and Anaheim’s Packing House, the market supports ethical, eco-minded brands and artisan small businesses. Their mantra is “products with a purpose,” whether you’re shopping for candles, jewelry, or travel bags.

440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim | 2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; 714-708-3377; seedpeoplesmarket.com

Street Tree Revival

This urban wood recycling program works with cities in Orange County to cut down damaged trees. But rather than disposing of them, Street Tree Revival remakes them into furniture-like tables. Its storefront showcases trees that have been upcycled, aka creatively reused. 2220 Via Burton, Anaheim; 949-771-9663; streettreerevival.com