The Refresh: From Student Idea to Sustainable Campus Resource
DICKINSON’S INNOVATION COMPETITION HELPS TURN A STUDENT-DRIVEN IDEA INTO A NEW CAMPUS RESOURCE
written and photos by Alex Sonfield ’25
A student idea has become a reality at Dickinson, giving the campus community a new way to shop sustainably.
The Refresh, a zero-waste refill shop located in Kaufman Hall, offers affordable, eco-friendly everyday essentials, including laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap. The initiative grew from an idea developed at the Center for Sustainability Education (CSE) and gained momentum through Dickinson’s Innovation Competition, where students helped transform the concept into a practical resource for campus.
Today, the Refresh offers both a storefront and a mobile cart, making sustainable shopping more accessible while giving students opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills and put their ideas into action.
From Idea to Reality
The Refresh began with Ming Robinson ’25, who developed the idea during her summer internship at CSE. Robinson, along with Trang Vu ’25 and CSE Executive Director Lindsey Lyons, worked on the initial proposal, research, budget and focus groups in summer 2024.
The idea continued to evolve through Dickinson’s Innovation Competition in spring 2026, when Claire Raesly ’27 (environmental science & data analytics), Elle Kellogg ’28 (biology) and Luke Heller ’27 (quantitative economics & environmental studies) helped further develop the concept.
The competition provided an opportunity to build on the original idea and move it closer to implementation. With support from CSE, the students helped bring the Refresh from a proposal to a campus resource where Dickinsonians could put sustainable practices into action.
“The Center for Sustainability Education strives to create experiential learning opportunities for students that solve actual issues on campus,” says Lyons. “The Refresh combines creative, entrepreneurial, business and sustainability skills into a learning and engagement environment where we are helping people reduce waste, save money and use better products for our planet.”
Small changes, bigger impact
The Refresh makes sustainable shopping part of everyday campus life. Customers can refill their own containers with products such as scented and unscented laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap or use donated containers when available.
Products are weighed and priced by quantity, allowing customers to purchase what they need while reducing single-use packaging. By bringing these alternatives directly to campus, the Refresh also helps students access sustainable products without traveling off campus.
“Dickinson students are beyond excited and grateful about the launch of the Refresh, providing new opportunities to purchase necessities on campus in an affordable and sustainable way,” says Izzy Chimento ’28 (environmental studies), media intern at CSE. “The Refresh is not only a product of student innovation but also represents CSE and Dickinson’s commitment to being a leader in sustainability education, empowerment and now a model of sustainable business development.”
Learning by doing
For Raesly, CSE’s innovation intern, helping launch the Refresh has meant turning an idea into something tangible. Her responsibilities include managing volunteers and inventory, tracking sales, coordinating partnerships and promoting the initiative.
One of her most hands-on projects was building the Mobile Refresh, a cart designed to bring refillable products to campus events and different locations. Built over spring break in 2026, the cart incorporates reclaimed wood and practical features that allow it to move around campus.
“The Refresh has really been an experience of learning by doing,” Raesly says. “Being able to turn an idea into something tangible and useful for our campus has been really meaningful to me.”
The project also creates opportunities for students to get involved beyond the initial development. The Refresh has grown to include seven active student volunteers, who help staff the shop and gain experience in retail operations, inventory management and customer relations. Eco-Reps can organize group visits and bring the mobile cart to campus programming.
Claire Raesly ’27 with the Mobile Refresh.
A model for what's next
The Refresh demonstrates how student innovation can extend beyond a competition and become part of everyday campus life. By combining sustainability with hands-on learning, the initiative gives Dickinsonians a practical way to reduce waste while encouraging students to continue developing new ideas.
As the program grows, CSE hopes to expand its selection of zero-waste and upcycled products, with future offerings shaped by student interests and community feedback.
Visit the Refresh in the Center for Sustainability Education in Kaufman Hall, Room 192. To learn more, volunteer, donate suitable containers or reserve the Mobile Refresh for an event, visit dickinson.edu/refresh.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published September 29, 2026