Ecoworks and bio-home are launching new refill stations for cleaning products at the National University of Singapore.
On 19 March 2025, while students were probably juggling assignments and instant noodles, a new kind of refill station was rolled out. Ecoworks, a homegrown startup with its roots in smart sustainability, has teamed up with eco-cleaning brand bio-home to launch a one-year pilot refill station, giving students a chance to ditch single-use plastics without ditching hygiene.
Let’s pause for some perspective. Singapore tosses out a staggering 900,000 tonnes of plastic a year. That’s an average 2,600 tonnes a day. Despite all our recycling bins and guilt-driven reusable bags, that figure has been climbing by around 12% annually. Clearly, we needed more than just well-meaning slogans.
Enter Ecoworks. This automated refill station lets students dispense bio-home cleaning products into their own containers, paying only for what they use, and saving up to 37% compared to bottled versions. It’s a bit like a vending machine, but for detergent.
“People will only adopt refills if they’re convenient, affordable, and accessible,” said Sean Lam, Founder of Ecoworks. “With this trial, we’re bringing our refill model directly to a student community that’s already environmentally conscious, making it easier for them to take action.”
The logic here is simple: take a generation that already cares about climate change, place a sustainable option right in their path, and watch good habits grow.
The station itself dispenses bio-home’s plant-based cleaning solutions, products that are as gentle on skin as they are on the Earth. Dermatologically tested, biodegradable, and made without harmful chemicals, these are the kinds of suds you’d actually feel good about scrubbing your kitchen with.
“We’ve been committed to green cleaning for 15 years,” shared a spokesperson from bio-home. “Partnering with Ecoworks allows us to take our mission further, right into the hands of the next generation.”
And there’s proof that the public is ready. A YouGov survey from April 2024 found that around 70% of Singaporeans started bringing reusable bags after the plastic bag charge in July 2023. That’s no small feat in a nation where bubble tea and takeaway culture reign supreme. It shows that, given the right push, behavioural change is possible.
The reception at RVRC was warm. Students took to the refill station with curiosity and enthusiasm, with many expressing delight at the blend of cost savings and eco-responsibility. It’s that sweet spot of doing good without feeling like you’re sacrificing convenience, or in typical student fashion, cash.
If all goes well, this pilot could bloom into something bigger. More stations across campuses, residential estates, maybe even your favourite kopi stall someday. Imagine a future where refilling is as common as tapping your EZ-Link card or ordering kopi C siew dai.
In the words of every good motivational poster: big change starts small. And sometimes, it starts with a refill bottle and a bit of soap.
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