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January 2024 by Peter Simcich
Possibly a really nice store. It’s a shame that I don’t know. Got there at 11 when they “open” and left at 11:08 when they were still not open. Thanks for wasting my time
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November 2023 by Kristen Sciford
Super neat community resources, bulk refill supplies, and friendly and helpful staff.
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July 2023 by Alison Huetter
Can't believe I've lived in Berkeley 10 years before discovering this gem. Don't be a dum dum like me. Especially now that they have a fill center, and all sorts of fun stuff, friendly staff, and good green living.
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April 2023 by Arin Spanner
I sent the Ecology Center an email at 8:30 pm on Sunday asking if they could pick up my 96-year-old grandma's recycling from the side of the house. She recently had a stroke and is no longer able to bring her cans down. Daniel Maher replied to me at 10:30 pm, completely resolving the issue and providing invaluable assistance to my grandma. He is a testament to the Ecology Center and my grandma truly thanks him for his service to the community.
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December 2022 by Min C.
This place is usually a bus transfer point for me for various stores in West Berkeley but every chance I find that it is open, I try to browse as they rotate their merchandise time to time. I purchase my first reusable boba straw here some years ago! I belatedly but also recently found out about the "seed library" which is a cool concept of giving & receiving seeds. It's how the collection keeps going with community input. I do not have a green thumb at all, but was motivated to take care of more flora by my workplace that gave out seeds as part of a "garden of growth" theme. I now have a huge thing of potting mix so I thought why not just plant a bunch all at the same time??... was my concurrent thought at the time so I took a few vegetable varieties. (I only grow what I can make use of, except pollinators I give a special exception for.) I believe Rockridge library, where I am closer to, is also adopting one seed library too! Hopefully, I can train to be a better plant mom and will be back with my own stash of seeds!
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October 2022 by Matthew Daniel
Friendly staff, helpful fliers for reading about local recycling, planting, natural pest management, they sell quite a few interesting books, and if you want to try before you buy they have quite an extensive library (although I don't know all the terms of its use)
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September 2022 by Rahul Vishwakarma
Join for the best community experience
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August 2022 by Bev J.
I hate this store. Not allowed to go in without slathering your hands in something (I had called and was not warned about this.) This is in August, 2022 where even my pharmacists are not wearing masks. I didn't trust what the crap was since the store stank of something toxic. When I asked what that was, I was told "scented candles." You know these are known to be toxic and badly affect people's health carcinogenic? "Yes." And the Essential Oils they are made with are carcinogenic? "Yes." Great place for health. What is special about this place? My clothes stank from being in there briefly. And then there was the offensive card showing women's legs and high heels, saying something about empowering women. Seriously? I hate this store.
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May 2022 by Kelly P.
This is a cute gem that's off the San Pablo area. A lot of great books on plans and mushrooms etc.
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April 2022 by Michael H
Got a native wildflower pack of seeds :) I can't think of a better place to go to find gifts for folks. Oh yeah- they keep the farmers markets going strong too!
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January 2022 by Rachel C.
OMG! They still have the seed swap! You can bring your harvested seeds and donate them and you can choose free seeds from their selection!!
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September 2021 by V Maxeno
Cute little store, nice staff, small selection of eco friendly household stuff and hopefully they grow to offer even more options. We bought this soap for the dishes to replace our plastic one, it works amazing!!
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May 2021 by David L.
This is a fine place. It's got a strong Berkeley vibe going. I went to get the only-in-stores version of the Bay Trail maps - highly recommended. They're on 24 pocketable cards with lots of details. The Seed Library was a pleasant surprise. The east bay has many microclimates, often on different sides of the same street! The Bay is nice to look at, but if you see it, you feel the winds and chill air. Nearby sheltered areas are warmer and mild. They maintain a free seed collection, organized by microclimate, and it's a bargain at free. They ask that you bring in seeds from plants that do well in your area. We must be in Berkeley, Toto. Hours are unusual for the store and for the seeds, so call first.
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January 2021 by Marti D.
Conscientious gifts, eco-friendly products for household and garden use, and much more. Despite what I just read, they ARE open for in-store shopping.
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January 2021 by Sagruilla P.
Now with in-person visits! This is the go-to small shop for zero waste gifts, personal care products, cleaning supplies, and food containers. They've got it all: puzzles, candles, ecology-minded books, kids toys, socks, candles, deodorant, soap and shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes, metal water bottles...you can get a huge jug of all-purpose liquid soap for hand washing and dishes that will last you months and months. They also offer cool classes and put in the best farmers markets (not at the store), so it's a great store to support.