Our Green Impact
WHERE WE STARTED
As a small business, we've always been some level of green. Since our inception in 2014, we've always:
- Recycled paper, cardboard, and containers
- Recycled our print toner cartridges
- Composted food scraps
- Reused scrap paper
- Minimized waste whenever possible
That's just good common sense. And as we've moved forward, we've increased our business's green practices.
PLASTIC FILM RECYCLING
In 2019, we were approached by a community member and invited to take part in the Plastic Film Recycling Challenge for our county. We've diverted every scrap of plastic waste since - over 110 pounds to date! - out of the waste stream and into a recycling program.
Incidentally, our local school - GMU - kicks butt at the recycling challenge every year, thanks in part to us.
REUSING PACKAGING MATERIALS
As our wholesale business as grown, we find ourselves shipping more and more large parcels - and we've enlisted the help of our community in reusing packaging materials. We have a steady rotation of friends and neighbors who drop off their reusable packaging materials to us - Styrofoam peanuts, plastic air pockets, bubble wrap, and crumpled paper fill.
GOING PLASTIC-FREE
In response to our customers' requests, in 2022 we made the decision to pivot to plastic-free packaging and shipping. Now everything we sell is in compostable cardboard or rice paper packaging, or reusable glass.
It's been a great green journey!
We look forward to finding more ways to reduce our impact, such as purchasing carbon offsets for our shipping, installing solar panels, and starting a refills program for our retail customers.