CANTON — Teresa Mazey is not a militant environmentalist, not at all. She used to buy paper plates and bottled water before deciding to seek out alternatives.

Now she’s eco-friendly.

Empty Bin Zero Waste, Mazey’s new shop at 310 Fourth St. NW in the downtown arts district, has a no-nonsense name but is an inviting place filled with useful, thoughtful items. Each of the products she stocks is designed to enhance the planet by replacing single-use plastic and paper items.

“If you do one thing that helps, you are doing great,” she said. Although she wants the shop to be successful, enlightening people is clearly her main goal.

“It’s something I truly believe in. I’d like to do education programs at schools,” she said. In October, a Girl Scout troop will visit Empty Bin Zero Waste, “the first specifically zero-waste store in Ohio.”

Since May 2018, Empty Bin Zero Waste has been selling many of these products at the Downtown Canton Flea, 720 Market and other area shows.

“The word got out on social media and we got busier and busier,” Mazey said. “People thank us for doing this. The younger generation is super excited. The older people are sometimes a little more confused. They think it’s going back in time.”

First store

The retail store opened in time for August First Friday. “The reason I’m here is Stark County rocks when it comes to zero waste. You guys are completely on board.”

Some of the products at Empty Bin are handmade by Mazey. A top seller is the zippered sandwich bags ($8.50), an alternative to plastic bags, made from fabric that’s lined with waterproof polyurethane laminate. These can be laundered or dishwasher washed, and can hold fruit, vegetables and even hand-held electronics.

“I’ve had mine for two years and they’re still going strong,” Mazey said.

Mazey makes snack bags ($4) from the same fabric, and produce bags ($5 to $7) from recycled lace curtains.

“I had to re-teach myself to sew. I sewed in eighth-grade home (economics) and I hated it,” she said. “Now I sew until 2 in the morning.”

Her biggest seller is reusable drinking straws that she offers in a variety of shapes and sizes, made from stainless steel and, she said, last a couple of decades, tempered glass or bamboo, all priced at $3 apiece. She sells a set of four straws, two straw-cleaners and a cloth bag for $16.

“I recommend people keep them in their car so they’ll have them handy,” she said.

Rolls of three-ply, 100% recycled Who Gives a Crap brand toilet paper, which sell for $2 apiece at Empty Bin, are available for cheaper in bulk online, Mazey readily admitted: “People can take a roll home, try it and if they like it, they can order a 48-pack online.”

“I haven’t used cellophane or plastic wrap in two years,” Mazey said. Her alternative is wax wraps ($24 for a pack of five), sturdily reusable sheets that mold securely around jar lids, bowls, a piece of cheese or half an onion, using the heat of your hand. These can last more than a year, depending on use.

Other offerings

Stainless-steel food containers ($17 to $30), with silicone-lined lids that make them waterproof, can be used for storing leftovers, packing lunches and — as Mazey does — taking to restaurants to use in lieu of to-go boxes. There are biodegradable scouring pads made from walnut shells; dog shampoo and dish soap in bar form, eliminating plastic containers; launderable sponge cloths with the absorption power of 15 paper towels, which last about six months; even biodegradable dental floss.

Unscented shampoo can be purchased and poured into containers brought in by customers. Shelves of jars hold bulk items sold by the ounce — dried lavender, tooth powder, beeswax for homemade lip balm, face mask powder to which can be added coconut milk, aloe vera, herbal tea. Eight varieties of Castille Soap liquid, 58 cents a weighted ounce, can be used for everything from mopping to washing dishes, laundry and hands, shampooing humans and dogs, and shaving. Castille Soap bars are $4.99.

The shop’s only food item is Nosh Butters ($8), craft nut butters made in Cuyahoga Falls. The jars can be returned (for a $1 refund), then reused. Flavors include turmeric, cashew almond and cinnamon sugar peanut pecan.

Reach Dan Kane at 330-580-8306, dan.kane@cantonrep.com or on Twitter at @dkaneREP