This is the first in a series of blogs about the values that set Real Kind apart from so many other small, local businesses.
I spend a great deal of time making sure my business decisions are ethical and responsible. In fact, those values are the drivers behind what I do. It occurs to me that I should really share those thoughts here.
I’ll start with sustainability.
PACKAGING
Each bottle, jar, and lid is chosen to be safe for you and easy on our planet. All containers are paraben- and phthalate-free, inside and out. All jars and bottles are recyclable and resuable. When I choose vendors, I try my best to find partners who use recycled and recyclable packaging for their products, too. With each new product and packaging decision, I choose as close to zero-waste as possible. Often, these packaging options are much more expensive than traditional choices.
In 2021, I am transitioning all exterior packaging to compostable, recyclable, or zero-waste packing.
PACKING & SHIPPING
I repurpose all packing material, and use zero-waste, recyclable or compostable packing material whenever possible. For months before each Winter shopping season, I collect the clean packing materials from every shipment I receive, and use it to carefully wrap your orders before they are sent your way.
MANUFACTURING
The manufacturing process is where most companies fall down on the sustainability front. I’m committed to the cleanest manufacturing process possible. While I do need to meet good manufacturing practices guidelines, I take many steps to reduce my waste and impact on our planet. I employ reusable cleaning cloths that get sterilized after each use. I rely on glass and metal manufacturing vessels that last for years, instead of disposable plastics. I recycle or repurpose every container my ingredients come in. This takes time, thought, and effort, and often costs more than the easier alternative. Our planet is worth it.
Prices
Operating a sustainable business comes at a price. It costs substantially more to purchase high-quality, safe, recyclable containers than it does to purchase cheap, non-recyclable plastics loaded with chemicals. It costs more to purchase and launder cleaning cloths than it does to buy disposable paper towels. It costs a LOT more to pack orders in reusable tote bags than in cheap plastic sacks.
These sustainable and ethical options make a difference. They mean something, and they set Real Kind apart. Being stewards of our planet is maybe the most important thing we can do for future generations, and that is worth any additional cost.
When you hear “shop your values,” buying from a company with these guiding principles is what that looks like.