3 local businesses that dig the Earth

Juiced for your jars

By Kathleen Troost-Cramer | @ktroostc | Mercury Apr 18, 2017

A similar jar return program operates at The Power of Juice, with the additional incentive of a free drink after returning 20 jars. “People love the jars,” said owner and chef Brigid Rafferty. “They’re great to fit in the hand and a convenient size to reuse at home.” In the fall of 2016, Rafferty said, the juice bar re-used about 85 percent of its glass jars.

“I can’t tell you how many free drinks we give away,” she said with a laugh. “It’s a way to thank (customers) for their patronage and make them feel like they’re contributing.”

Rafferty insists on glass because of its reuse potential. “I know glass costs money to produce, and there’s a debate around water usage (in glass production). But the fact is, it’s easy to clean and people are more likely to reuse at home.”

To encourage home re-use of jars and cut down on packaging, Power of Juice also sells lids and caps with spray or pump capability, expanding the options beyond juice drinking to storing soap, oil, or other liquid goods. They even make good plant spritzers, Rafferty said.

The green philosophy is evident in the shop’s physical construction as well. For the new location on Aquidneck Avenue, Rafferty employed reclaimed or repurposed lumber and furnishings with the help of a designer. The store also donates its organic waste to local farms for feed or compost.

“We’re all about trying to the best of our knowledge and ability to promote the extended life of what we bring into our homes,” she said, noting the importance of reducing consumption in addition to re-using containers. “Keeping our community clean and making sure there’s something for generations 200 years from now. I try to lead by example.”