What is a Coop?

Cooperatives (coops) can take many forms, but all coops are democratically run organizations that are owned and controlled by their members. Earth’s Refillery is a multi-stakeholder coop, meaning it has both worker members and consumer members, each of which have different roles within the coop. 

Worker Members are in charge of the daily operations of the store, and make up most of the seats of the board of directors. Consumer Members can advise the board of directors, vote on important issues, elect a representative to the board of directors, and participate in special committees. 

All coops are governed by the 7 Cooperative Principles:

  • Open and voluntary membership 

  • Democratic member control

  • Member economic participation

  • Autonomy and independence

  • Education, training, and information

  • Cooperation among coops

  • Concern for community

Infographic titled 'Why Are Co-Ops Important to My Local Community?' explaining the benefits and types of cooperatives. It lists 5 types: Consumer, Purchasing & Shared Service, Worker, Producer, and Hybrid/Multistakeholder Cooperatives. It outlines 7 principles of cooperatives, including Voluntary & Open Membership and Concern for Community. It states that cooperatives drive 2x more local dollars than big corporations. It encourages choosing a co-op to support the local community. Illustrated with house and factory icons.