Small Businesses Can Make Small Sustainability Moves for Big Impact
In my last blog I dove into why REIMI Botanicals uses UV Glass packaging whenever appropriate, to solve two problems we identified:
1. How do we protect potency of precious organic ingredients?
2. How do we minimize any negative impact on the environment?
In this post we dive into another strategy to get moving in the right direction toward sustainability and recognizing our responsibility as small manufacturer of organic beauty products and natural home goods.
It's Not East Being Small
Being a small business, it's often difficult to compete with larger companies for market share of sustainable packaging solutions. For us, the MOQ is often too high and the availability is low.
And the reality is that there are are some products that require plastic caps, pumps, sprayers and rollers. While I would love to use recycled cardboard to house my organic extracts, oils, and nutraceuticals, it's simply not always feasible. Considerations include the need for maximum retention of potency; protection from air and light; protection from fluctuating temperature and humidity during shipping; and of course, cost.
So I went out on a mission to find a sustainability partner that challenges my company to do better and be better.
To that end, we’ve partnered with CleanHub @cleanhub.io - a nonprofit organization on a mission to free our planet from ocean-bound plastic pollution!
Why are we following that path?
We know that using plastic comes with responsibility. As mentioned, in many cases, plastic is still the most viable option for delivering certain cosmetics. However, we believe it is also our responsibility to take care of the waste generated by our activities.
A focus for REIMI Botanicals in 2024 is in developing and bringing to market, our new skincare line for mature skin, The Sea Forest Collection, based on key marine ingredients like Sea Kelp, Blue-green Algae and Astaxanthin. Working with these incredibly nourishing ingredients has given me an even more profound respect for the ocean and the rivers that provide a bounty of skin-healing extracts and marine botanicals.
With gratitude, I use these ingredients and with responsibility, I make moves to protect marine life.
Forging a Sustainability Partnership
Through our partnership with CleanHub, we are able to act on that responsibility and invest in resilient waste management solutions across Asia and in Africa. The best part is that our customers are helping us reach the goal of recovering 914 pounds of plastic in 2024. As we grow, we can collect more.
From now on, we will be collecting 1 lb of non-recyclable plastic per every order. The entire process is tracked through CleanHub’s own Track & Trace technology, ensuring certified impact. Greenwashing is not a concern in this model because we are able to see exactly where plastic recovery is taking place in real time. From when the plastic is picked up right through to when it is disposed of, it is tracked through the CleanHub technology platform.
Who Are CleanHub's Community Partners and How are Coastal Communities Affected?
Did you know that South East Asia is the gateway for more than 80% of all plastic that enters our oceans?
With this partnership we can help reduce and eventually stop the mismanagement of plastic waste in these regions to save our Oceans and the planet.
The partnership relies on a global network of local Collection Hubs in high-impact locations in India, Bali, Cambodia, Indonesia and Tanzania, to facilitate the collection and safe processing of non-recyclable plastic.
The workers in these locations have fair pay and working conditions monitored through accredited social impact auditors: FLA (Fair Labor Association, USA); ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) UK; and SA8000 (Social Accountability Intl USA-Europe).
So not only are we participating in preventing Ocean-bound plastic from getting to the Ocean, we are helping to facilitate fair wage jobs for vulnerable coastal communities that are most impacted by plastic waste.
What Happens to the Plastic That is Collected?
CleanHub focuses predominantly on non-recyclable plastic waste like food wrappers and other single-use plastic. They intercept it before it can reach the ocean, collect it, sort it, and then send it to cement plants that turn the non-recyclables into alternative fuel. This is then used to power the plants, which would otherwise predominantly use coal. It means that on top of protecting oceans from plastic pollution, we also lower the carbon footprint of cement plants.
Summary
Plastic is likely here to stay, unfortunately, and there are many case uses where it is necessary to keep ingredients and food items safe from contamination. But as a maker, it is our responsibility to find ways to mitigate plastic use.
In addition to using alternative materials like glass, and recycled plastic containers, we are partnering with a sustainability powerhouse to snatch non-recyclable, ocean-bound plastic before it makes it to our oceans.
We may be small but together we can make a big impact to protect marine life and improve the lives of humans.
#forcleanoceans #plasticfreeoceans #cleanhubpartner #reimibotanicals #ceibarootwellness #seaforestcollection #ceibarootwellness #reimibotanicals #ecobusinesspartner #protectouroceans #cleanbeauty #wellnessrituals #sustainableingredients #marinepeptides #oceanbeauty