Flagstaff, Ariz. (May 6, 2020) – Kahtoola, creator of award-winning MICROspikes® and NANOspikes® footwear traction, is proud to announce its certification as an Innovator/Silver Level business from the Sustainability Alliance. Certification within Arizona is based on the Sustainability Alliance’s four scientific principles of a sustainable society including a reduction of non-renewable energy and materials, a reduction of pollution/waste, and a commitment to protect ecosystems while meeting human needs.   Kahtoola’s environmental commitment began with the company’s founding in 1999 and the subsequent launch of a grant program that provides 1% of annual sales to support indigenous cultures and fund projects that improve communities, healthcare, education, resources and the environment.   Over the past two decades, Kahtoola has also implemented projects locally to reduce their environmental impact at the company’s Flagstaff headquarters. Projects have included a building remodel to add windows and skylights that maximize natural light and reduce energy consumption. The addition of solar panels supplies 100 percent of the company’s daily energy requirements. A new basement warehouse ventilation system efficiently maintains clean air and proper heating throughout the building. And to reduce emissions, Kahtoola tracks Scope 1 and 2 emissions from fuels they burn and electricity used and is working to calculate Scope 3 emissions in the immediate future which includes employee commuting, air travel, shipping emissions and beyond.   On the production side, Kahtoola relies exclusively on ocean freight to reduce emissions on products manufactured overseas. A redesign of pallets and warehouse racks has increased the number of units per pallet. “With these changes and some planning adjustments we were able to decrease our shipping volume by 36 percent,” said Kelly Slutz, Shipping Associate for Kahtoola. “We can now get more units per shipment, but overall receive less shipments.”   The majority of greenhouse gas emissions from ground packages sent from Kahtoola’s warehouse are offset with carbon neutral shipments through UPS that are paid by Kahtoola. An onsite repair shop allows customers to easily return products for repair to extend their lifecycle. Any non-repairable parts are disassembled and recycled through a local metal recycler with plastic pieces sent to TerraCycle. Kahtoola also minimizes design process waste by creating 3-D printer prototypes in house to eliminate the frequency of shipping prototypes to outside vendors and implements recyclable packaging, natural and 100 percent recycled materials for their marketing giveaways in addition to reusable signage at events. “Whenever we go to trade shows, we always commit to zero single-use plastic,” added Slutz.   As the company continues to grow, it has implemented protocols for measuring environmental impacts while encouraging employees to lead the charge. “We are expected to hold ourselves accountable for our  contributions to the company, and build support from others where coordination is needed to put ideas into action,” said Betsy Harter, Customer Service Associate for Kahtoola. “Called the Associate Model, it supports associate empowerment and initiative. This model has allowed Kelly and I to create our roles as sustainability project leaders within the company.”   For more information on sustainable business certification in Arizona, please visit Sustainability Alliance.

Procter & Gamble's Tide laundry detergent brand first introduced in January 2019 its "Eco-Box," which has been compared to a wine box because of its design made from paperboard with a tap for dispensing, in an effort to reduce the plastic in its packaging. In mid-May, the Eco-Boxes are becoming available for other fabric care product lines, including Tide purclean, Downy, Gain and Dreft.   The initiatives are related to P&G's current sustainability goals introduced in 2018, Ambition 2030, which include a commitment to make its packaging 100 percent recyclable or reusable by 2030.   Each business unit within P&G has its own approach, and the Eco-Box was one way P&G’s Fabric Care division set out to meet its packaging goal.   To be clear, the Eco-Box package still includes plastic — with the bag that holds the liquid detergent itself — but uses 60 percent less of it than the traditional packaging for P&G’s detergent brands. "We've moved to a huge reduction in plastic, but [the plastic bag] not curbside-recyclable," said Todd Cline, section head for P&G Fabric Care’s research and development team.   "I think perfection is [figuring] out the technologies to make this so that that bag and tap are also just easy curbside recycling," he continued. "But there's just not technologies for that yet today, to create bags to hold liquids that are puncture-resistant and will survive all of the shipping."   In the meantime, P&G has a stopgap solution for collection and end-of-life processing in place. When the Tide Eco-Box launched, P&G partnered with TerraCycle to offer a recycling option for the inner bag. That program will continue, now including the full Eco-Box portfolio.   Cline said P&G uses life cycle assessment (LCA) to guide its work, "particularly as it comes to sustainability," noting that from an LCA standpoint, P&G is making a huge reduction in its carbon footprint and amount of plastic that's going to landfills through the Eco-Box packaging effort.   "For us, that's a technical trade-off at the start. But it's one of those that if we waited for perfection ... we would be sitting on this technology that could have a really great benefit from a sustainability standpoint, but holding it until it's perfect," Cline said, referring to the need to engage TerraCycle on collection.   When the new Eco-Box detergents hit the market — the products will be available online only from major U.S. retailers — Cline said they will continue to test and iterate on the packaging to improve it.   All paper, no plastic   In a different part of the company, P&G Beauty, the packaging strategy is likewise taking another turn away from plastic: toward all-paper packaging. Indeed, these are just two recent examples of how P&G is working to meet its 2030 goal.   "This is just one of many innovations that P&G is working on to address the problem of plastic waste. This is an important step forward, and there is much more to come," wrote Anitra Marsh, associate director of global sustainability and brand communications with P&G Beauty, by email. Two of those beauty and personal care brands are Old Spice and Secret, which will launch all-paper packaging for their aluminum-free deodorants this month at 500 Walmart stores in the U.S.   "As the largest retailer in the world partnering with the largest deodorant and antiperspirant brands in the U.S., we know this new paperboard package has the potential to have significant positive impact and lay the groundwork for even broader impact," said Jason Kloster, senior buying manager for body care and grooming at Walmart, in a press release.   Marsh said P&G co-designed the all-paper deodorant packaging for its Secret and Old Spice products with consumers interested in cutting back on plastic waste. The package format contains 90 percent post-consumer recycled content and 10 percent new paper fibers. P&G developed package prototypes then shared the designs with consumers to see which options were "most appealing and easy to use."   P&G isn’t the only company trying to eliminate plastic packaging for deodorant. Across the pond in London, a company called Wild raised $621,775 in seed funding for its refillable no-plastic deodorant packaging — made from durable aluminum and bamboo pulp — after a successful pilot launch in 2019.   Marsh said it took less than a year to bring P&G's all-paper, plastic-free deodorant packaging to market. During the development process, the first package design did not pass a key recyclability test because the glue used for the label diminished the quality of the recycled paper pulp.   "We quickly went back to the drawing board to find another label glue that doesn’t impede recycling, and this is what we are using now in our Old Spice and Secret paper tube packages that are launching in May," she said.   The deodorant hit the shelves May 1, and P&G will continue to evaluate the recyclability and repulpability of the packaging this summer, according to Marsh.   "We are aiming for 100 percent recyclability," she said.

Procter & Gamble's Tide laundry detergent brand first introduced in January 2019 its "Eco-Box," which has been compared to a wine box because of its design made from paperboard with a tap for dispensing, in an effort to reduce the plastic in its packaging. In mid-May, the Eco-Boxes are becoming available for other fabric care product lines, including Tide purclean, Downy, Gain and Dreft.   The initiatives are related to P&G's current sustainability goals introduced in 2018, Ambition 2030, which include a commitment to make its packaging 100 percent recyclable or reusable by 2030.   Each business unit within P&G has its own approach, and the Eco-Box was one way P&G’s Fabric Care division set out to meet its packaging goal.   To be clear, the Eco-Box package still includes plastic — with the bag that holds the liquid detergent itself — but uses 60 percent less of it than the traditional packaging for P&G’s detergent brands.     "We've moved to a huge reduction in plastic, but [the plastic bag] not curbside-recyclable," said Todd Cline, section head for P&G Fabric Care’s research and development team.   "I think perfection is [figuring] out the technologies to make this so that that bag and tap are also just easy curbside recycling," he continued. "But there's just not technologies for that yet today, to create bags to hold liquids that are puncture-resistant and will survive all of the shipping."   In the meantime, P&G has a stopgap solution for collection and end-of-life processing in place. When the Tide Eco-Box launched, P&G partnered with TerraCycle to offer a recycling option for the inner bag. That program will continue, now including the full Eco-Box portfolio.   Cline said P&G uses life cycle assessment (LCA) to guide its work, "particularly as it comes to sustainability," noting that from an LCA standpoint, P&G is making a huge reduction in its carbon footprint and amount of plastic that's going to landfills through the Eco-Box packaging effort.   "For us, that's a technical trade-off at the start. But it's one of those that if we waited for perfection ... we would be sitting on this technology that could have a really great benefit from a sustainability standpoint, but holding it until it's perfect," Cline said, referring to the need to engage TerraCycle on collection.   When the new Eco-Box detergents hit the market — the products will be available online only from major U.S. retailers — Cline said they will continue to test and iterate on the packaging to improve it.   All paper, no plastic   In a different part of the company, P&G Beauty, the packaging strategy is likewise taking another turn away from plastic: toward all-paper packaging. Indeed, these are just two recent examples of how P&G is working to meet its 2030 goal.   "This is just one of many innovations that P&G is working on to address the problem of plastic waste. This is an important step forward, and there is much more to come," wrote Anitra Marsh, associate director of global sustainability and brand communications with P&G Beauty, by email.       Two of those beauty and personal care brands are Old Spice and Secret, which will launch all-paper packaging for their aluminum-free deodorants this month at 500 Walmart stores in the U.S.   "As the largest retailer in the world partnering with the largest deodorant and antiperspirant brands in the U.S., we know this new paperboard package has the potential to have significant positive impact and lay the groundwork for even broader impact," said Jason Kloster, senior buying manager for body care and grooming at Walmart, in a press release.   Marsh said P&G co-designed the all-paper deodorant packaging for its Secret and Old Spice products with consumers interested in cutting back on plastic waste. The package format contains 90 percent post-consumer recycled content and 10 percent new paper fibers. P&G developed package prototypes then shared the designs with consumers to see which options were "most appealing and easy to use."   P&G isn’t the only company trying to eliminate plastic packaging for deodorant. Across the pond in London, a company called Wild raised $621,775 in seed funding for its refillable no-plastic deodorant packaging — made from durable aluminum and bamboo pulp — after a successful pilot launch in 2019.   Marsh said it took less than a year to bring P&G's all-paper, plastic-free deodorant packaging to market. During the development process, the first package design did not pass a key recyclability test because the glue used for the label diminished the quality of the recycled paper pulp.   "We quickly went back to the drawing board to find another label glue that doesn’t impede recycling, and this is what we are using now in our Old Spice and Secret paper tube packages that are launching in May," she said.   The deodorant hit the shelves May 1, and P&G will continue to evaluate the recyclability and repulpability of the packaging this summer, according to Marsh.   "We are aiming for 100 percent recyclability," she said.

As you grapple with the new normal of the pandemic crisis and prepare to hit the ground running once practices reopen, you might not be thinking about Earth Day 2020, the worldwide environmental movement's 50th anniversary. However, it's always a good time to consider tips to go green and safeguard the planet when your practice reopens.   AOA Focus asked green-conscious doctors of optometry for tips on how to get started if you're looking to reduce, reuse and recycle in your office.  

1. Reduce energy use.

G. Michael Murphy, O.D., has graduated to solar panels on the roof of his practice, but even he had to begin somewhere.   "If you have an older building, insulate and tighten up leaks," Dr. Murphy recommends. "Check with your utility company, which may offer assistance with installing more ef­ficient HVAC equipment and lighting. A local power company in my area offered an instant rebate on LED replacement tubes for my fluorescent lights."   He put each tube's retail cost at $6.99, but with instant rebates and a volume discount, his cost dropped to 99 cents apiece. "Considering that each tube now uses 15 watts instead of 32, the cost of energy in our locale is about .12/kWh and the lights operate roughly 40 hours per week; that's a savings of 8 cents per week per bulb. That means that the upfront cost of those replacement lights was recouped in one year."   2. Recycle contact lens packaging. Start by educating patients on contact lens disposal. Once her patients are enjoying the visual freedom of wearing contact lenses, Pamela Lowe, O.D., says they sometimes ask about the environmental impact of disposing of them.   Dr. Lowe, who is chair of the AOA's Contact Lens and Cornea Section, says, "Using up to 365 pairs of contact lenses per year for the everyday contact lens wearer has raised the question of how to ef­ficiently and environmentally dispose of the packaging and waste these lenses create. Our practice is proactive in educating patients on how single-use lenses actually have a positive impact on keeping America green. We also point out that, if patients have a recycling program in their community, the disposable, single-use packs are recyclable, and if they do not­ have a recycling program, we encourage them to save and return their contact lens packaging to our of­fice and we dispose of it in the Bausch & Lomb TerraCycle program. The company graciously provides, at no charge, containers for practices to collect contact lens foil and plastic packaging, no matter who manufactures the lenses, and will ef­ficiently recycle these materials at no charge to practitioners." At-home recycle containers for patients also are available.   3. Conserve plastic and paper. Start by saying no to plastic water bottles and yes to recycling. "Disposable water bottles are one of the least environmentally friendly, nonessential items you can eliminate. Buy a water dispenser and use paper cups," says Dr. Murphy.   He suggests a giveaway: reusable water bottles or thermal cups with your practice information on them. For at least 20 years, the practice of Douglas Melzer, O.D., has recycled. "Oregon is a very 'green' state and had one of the ­first bottle recycling bills in the nation that provided financial incentive to customers for returning the bottles for deposit." Recycling and garbage bins are conveniently side by side throughout his practice. Cardboard boxes from deliveries are flattened and placed in recycling bins.   "Almost all paper gets recycled-of course anything that contains protected health information is shredded," says Dr. Melzer, noting that the cost of the mobile shredding service is shared with the chiropractic of­fice next door. "Start with the simple stuff (cardboard, mail, magazines and such) and watch how much space you save in the garbage."  

Giada Lubromirski spent the early parts of her career as a stylist and gallery director. However, after having children, Giada realized she wanted to have a hand in helping make the world a better place. Now as a mother of 2, Giada is working as an activist and is on the board of several sustainability programs, and is working on making the fashion landscape greener.  

I am aiming to live a more conscious lifestyle, which is not always easy with the expectations of the fashion world, but even harder as a mother. You are a mother of two. How do you share your passion with your sons? Are your sons aware of today’s issues?

Our sons are 9 & 6 years old and are now very aware of the environment. They know what “waste” means. We started to teach them about “waste” early on. It’s an easy word and it’s an easy concept to understand. They are totally aware of how their actions affect mother earth. It’s a beautiful thing I am proud of as a mother. At times, they are more aware than us, and as their parents, it brings such serenity knowing they are aware of these important issues that will shape everyone’s future, especially theirs.   With that in mind, we have fun with it. We believe style and trends shouldn’t be a compromise to mother earth and so we like to show how we can live our daily lives, content, knowing we haven’t purchased anything new to fill “satisfied or enriched”. We have challenged ourselves to feel that buying something used is still buying something new for yourself. Does that make sense? ha! They know there’s way too much on this planet already because we show them and educate them. When we go places they identify waste on their own and ask questions. Never ending questions hahahahaha!   We invite our kids to be part of our daily activities whenever possible. Focused on environment, in the past, they’ve experienced many climate marches, community beach clean ups and initiatives. This has allowed for them to use their creativity to spread their messages on how to “take care” of mama earth. Even things as simple as taking care of the street you live on with your neighbors, can teach a child a lot. Whether it’s cleaning up the street, weeding or planting new flowers in our community garden, they are part of everything, whether it is watching or doing.

How do you recommend informing our kids about the environment, global warming etc. to make them aware but not scare them? Are there any books or programs you enjoy with your kids on these issues?

Inform your kids through your daily actions. They absorb everything and what they observe, they will live by as they grow into their own individuals. It will be etched in their soul. They are curious and will ask deep questions. Answer them truthfully, don’t sugar coat everything. They deserve our honesty more than ever at this time. We also talk a lot about “feelings of fear” when finding out the truth and how it is okay to feel fear, but then it is important to turn that feeling around with positive actions. It’s as simple as that.   To be completely frank, whilst I am doing research and watching documentaries or footage organizations send me, sometimes the kids stumble upon things that may not be completely appropriate for their age, but allows us to open wide truthful dialogue about the circumstances the environment and the animal world is facing at this time.   We believe some of these experiences are shaping their curiosity to the natural world. They are eager to know because they are connected more than adults. They are constantly trying to think of ideas to help make things better. This curiosity and eagerness for solutions then crosses over to their school work and projects. We see this a lot.   They don’t really watch much TV, but we do allow them to watch a movie or nature shows and series during the weekend. They love David Attenberg and all the BBC specials he’s done, such as Blue Planet, The Planet Earth series etc… Our kids love anything National Geographics related. They also love the cartoon the Wildcratts (I love it too ha!).   We also like to look up eco science projects on youtube. We like to challenge ourselves with our creativity by using things we find around the house or in the backyard. We create colorful “jarnados” (tornadoes we make with reusable jars, baking soda, colors and wake ingredients from our cupboards).   Any books about nature, the environment, the ocean, deep sea creatures, are all subjects they love to dive into. We have a huge list of favorite books (See attached photo and pdf list for a few suggestions).

What are your top 3 tips for teaching kids about how to be sustainable? How/Do you see your kids taking sustainable measures on their own?

1. Teach by “doing” —Meaning teach them by showing them how you take care of the planet at home, at work and during your daily lives. 2. Clean a beach with your kids—This simple family activity is a great one for any age. It’s fun, it can become a “game” of who can find more items, and it is truly educational. I have watched so many kids’ reactions during beach clean ups and they are stunned because most had never noticed how much garbage humans leave behind. They can also connect the dots and see “what we buy” can directly affect a bird, a marine animal and be toxic to the living organism on the beach. 3. Involve them in your daily activities whenever possible. For me personally, the weekends are my days to dedicate to them and involve them in what I want to do or create. I try to think of ideas prior to the weekend, but we often “make up” projects. Many times they join me at prapping my vegetable & herb gardens, dehydrating apples to make apple chips, saving orchids, making bird houses, making paper airplanes and having contests, picking up litter in the near by forest. Taking nature walks is a big one and they love to play “poo sticks”(as winnie the poo) at the nearby creek. Playing games outside (we love frisbee and soccer) is also a daily activity they love. Most of the time, our kids use their own imagination and look for natural or found objects outside or inside the home. My 9 year old made an entire puppet show out of card board pieces he found in our recycling from some packaging. When he showed me this, I got so inspired and said “let’s all make a character!” We have many moments like these. We are blessed to have a private backyard, which allows them to experience nature, outdoor adventures, animals and can play outside.

What are the biggest challenges you face being a mom trying to maintain a sustainable household? Food waste for picky eaters? Growing out of clothing too quick? etc.

The biggest challenge for me personally as a mom, is to decrease the plastic that still comes into our household. Now with the Coronavirus, it will be way more challenging. No matter how hard we try, we still haven’t reached a zero waste lifestyle with the entire family. It’s very hard. From the kids bringing in useless plastic waste from their schools and birthdays, receiving unexpected packaging inside boxes, gifts, the few plastic items we still have to buy due to emergencies or necessities, to Alexi traveling and bringing in “travel waste”, has definitely proven to be my biggest challenge as far as keeping a sustainable household.   For non recyclable plastics, we have joined Terracycle’s various programs. For those who do not know what Terracycle is please check them out! I highly recommend joining one of their free programs or if you can, purchase their all in one box. They recycle non recyclable items such as film plastics, tooth brushes, toothpaste tubes, dirty diapers and all things that are non recyclable (ex: potato chip bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, beauty products, plastic tubes and pumps etc…). They have free programs and they also sell boxes online which allow you to recycle everything. We like to support them so we always get the “all in one” box.   In our home, food waste that happens due to picky eaters = composting at home or parents eating left overs ha! As for clothing, we haven’t purchased anything new due to two reasons: 1. I have various hand-me-down circles with friends and school parent friends 2. I shop at used whenever I need to. My go to places are: Once upon a child (all over USA), Clementines (nyc), Jane’s Exchange (nyc) Ebay (online), Etsy (online), thrift stores, and flea markets etc.. They grow out of everything so fast, so when you go to these places the clothes are like new! I am also obsessively building on their vintage tshirt collection because that is a personal obsession of mine haha!

What are the top three things you think kids can do on a small scale to aid environmental change?

1. They can help you do “projects” at home or outside. This can involve going to the farmers market, meeting the farmers that grow your food and then cooking at home for the family. 2. Get them involved in community projects. This can be anything from a beach clean up or street clean up with their friends or classmates. 3. Become an “ Earth champion” in class or at school. My 9 year old son Sole Luka inspired his class by starting a TerraCycle box inside the classroom (for non recyclable school items and snack packaging). My youngest son Leone (6 yrs) started a marker and crayon recycling box, which he then sends through the Colorcyle program led by Crayola, because markers and crayons are non recyclable items. The great part about this program is that they will recycle any marker and crayon brands.  

What tips would you have for mothers to stay as sustainable as possible? I know you dress your sons in vintage and second hands, but how do you do with toys etc?

It’s the same with toys too. Everything we buy for them are used toys and books from Once Upon a Child, Ebay, Etsy, flea markets, thrift stores and through hand-me-downs circles. Everyone should know about Once upon a child, it’s honestly the best place for used everything for kids.

Talking about second hand and vintage, what are your favorite shopping destinations for kids?

I am a little nutty in the sense that I love to look for the “finds”. Boys fashion is hard, so I thrive in trying to find them cool vintage sweaters and then get the “necessities” at the used and consignment store : Once upon a child, which is a U.S franchise which has used toys, clothes, books, puzzles, halloween costumes, sports gear, baby & child furniture and lots more! I mix it up between hand-me-downs, once upon a child, flea markets, thrift stores and online vintage shopping. It’s also because I have fun and it’s my passion that I like to try different things, there are so many possibilities and options out there for us not to buy new, it’s easy now. It used to feel hard but now it feels super easy.   During Covid, I will have to buy my oldest son more Ebay and Etsy used clothing, but that’s ok. I always message the seller to avoid plastic packaging and tape if possible. Sometimes they listen and sometimes they don’t, so if we get non recyclable packaging we TerraCycle.

It began with worm poop. In 2001, while enrolled as a freshman at Princeton University, Tom Szaky learned that friends were feeding kitchen scraps to worms and using the resulting fertilizer to feed their plants. That discovery led him to found a company called TerraCycle, to sell worm poop-based fertilizer packaged in used soda bottles.   Since then, TerraCycle has developed into a recycling juggernaut. It has done so by teaming with brands, retailers, and municipalities to run programs aimed at gathering post-consumer, difficult-to-recycle waste, such as juice pouches and deodorant containers. Tapping a small army of consumer volunteer collectors, the company turns that garbage into completely new products, either by reusing the items' raw material components or repurposing the waste in its current form. In 2019, the company launched Loop, a circular shopping system through which brands deliver products to consumers in reusable packaging.   "Our purpose is to eliminate the idea of waste," says Michael Waas, global VP of brand partnerships at the Trenton, N.J.-based company.   To date, more than 202 million people in 21 countries have helped to collect and recycle waste through TerraCycle's 75-plus recycling programs in the U.S. and 250 globally. Moreover, the company has raised more than $44 million for charity, thanks to a system by which consumers earn points for every shipment of waste they send and then redeem those points in the form of a donation to the cause of their choice.   Szaky spent the first few years in business struggling to stay afloat; he also dropped out of college. Eventually, he got his product on the shelves of Walmart and The Home Depot.   Then, in 2007, Szaky had an epiphany: If he could make fertilizer out of waste, then maybe he could make anything out of waste. Further, if he could collect the stuff efficiently and find a new purpose and value for it, he could eliminate the very concept of waste. To do that, Waas says, the company needed a collection program that was "easy for consumers to access and use wherever they happen to be located."   Building on the so-called "Bottle Brigade," a volunteer system created to gather used soda bottles for the company's fertilizer products, Szaky developed a unique collection method that involves enlisting schools, individual consumers, and other organizations to collect vast amounts of specific items — from used chewing gum and cigarette butts to shampoo bottles and flip flops. The programs are funded by brands looking for ways to reduce their waste and win consumer loyalty.   All waste is delivered to TerraCycle, which works with processors to turn it into a raw material that manufacturers can use in new products. The company also upcycles some garbage, like plastic bags, and transforms it into tote bags and other items.   Today, TerraCycle provides recycling solutions for more than 300 waste streams. Its brand partners include a roster of consumer packaged goods heavyweights and retailers, recycling product packaging for items like Colgate toothpaste and Capri Sun beverages. In 2017, for example, Procter & Gamble's Head & Shoulders shampoo brand and TerraCycle launched a program to collect plastic garbage on beaches globally and turn the garbage into shampoo and dish soap bottles. Since then, Head & Shoulders has produced more than one million bottles made with recycled beach plastic in more than 10 countries.   Now, Szaky is moving the company in a new direction with the introduction of Loop. Consumers pay a refundable deposit when purchasing reusable packaged goods; the containers are then picked up by a delivery service, cleaned, refilled, and shipped out again. Brands pick up part of the tab by designing and making the new packaging themselves. More than 300 items are available, from Tide detergent to Häagen-Dazs ice cream.   TerraCycle has experienced considerable growth, with annual revenues of around $32 million and a workforce of 350 employees. In 2018, the company acquired Air Cycle, a recycler of fluorescent light bulbs, among other items.   Waas shares additional insights on the company with the ANA Center for Brand Purpose.  

Recycling company works with brands to turn garbage into new products

Berkeley, Calif. — Aug. 03, 2020 — The creators of GU Energy Labs are launching Boon, a line of nutritious Stroopwafels and Almond Butters made for daily life. These wholesome, delicious, healthful snacks nourish the body during The Time Between— for lives in motion who still want to eat purposefully around workouts and races. With USDA Certified Organic, non-GMO, vegan-friendly and gluten-free options, Boon is crafted with unique, functional ingredients that offer busy and active people a thoughtful alternative for fueling their time-in-between training and racing. Whether after spin class, between work meetings, traveling or off exploring the outdoors, Boon’s Stroopwafels and Almond Butters are organic anytime-snacks for anyone wanting to eat intentionally and nourish their body with wholesome and purposeful food. “Being athletes ourselves, we believe good food brings good fortune, not just in sport but in life. We believe the foods you eat should nourish you and not just fill you up. There should be purpose behind what you eat. Each meal we eat, every snack we enjoy is – in some way – preparing us for our next adventure,” said Brian Vaughan, Co-Founder & CEO of GU Energy Labs. “We’ve been eating this way for a long time, and Boon has been years in the making. Now we’re ready to share it with the world.” Boon’s five tasty flavors: Sweet Ginger, Cinnamon Spice, Vanilla Cardamom (Stroopwafels only), Chai Spice (Almond Butters only) and Boon’s caffeinated option, Espresso Bean (Almond Butters only). Boon Stroopwafels (MSRP: $17.50 10ct. box) are crafted with a gluten-free flour blend of five ancient grains that are key elements to a sustaining & delicious everyday diet— quinoa, chia, buckwheat, millet & amaranth. The Boon Almond Butters provide wholesome nutrition through ingredients like California almonds, cashews and are the only nut butter using special sources of fat like MCT Oil, a uniquely fast-acting fat that converts into usable energy instead of stored as body fat. Currently offered in 12oz. glass jars, the Almond Butters will soon become available in single-serve packets for easier on-the-go consumption. Boon has eco-friendliness and community built-in with its TerraCycle partnership for packaging and thoughtfully selected ingredient partners. Boon uses carefully sourced ingredients from local partners who are socially responsible and environmentally conscious, such as Equator Coffee Roasters, The Coffee Cherry Company and The Ginger People. “Boon started in our kitchens, around campfires, en route to trailheads, simply sharing good food with friends and family. What we call ‘the time between,’” said Magda Boulet, SVP of Research, Innovation, & Development for GU Energy Labs. “We believe that each meal we cook and each snack we eat is an opportunity to nourish our bodies and fuel us for the next adventure. And Boon is a way for us to share our philosophy behind meaningful eating and purposeful ingredients.” For more info, please visit: eatboon.com To follow us on Instagram, please click here: @Eat_Boon For any media inquiries, please contact: Kelsey Anderson, kelsey@sasquatchagency.com ABOUT BOON Boon Stroopwafels and Almond Butters are organic, wholesome, delicious snacks that nourish the body in daily life. The creators of GU Energy Labs designed Boon with The Time Between in mind— for lives in motion that want to eat purposefully throughout their lives, not just while exercising. As athletes themselves, GU has always understood the importance of good food in daily life and knew that good food brings good fortune. They created Boon to share what they believe eating with intention and what using functional ingredients can do for people’s lives. Boon’s unique, wholesome ingredients offer busy and active people a thoughtful alternative for fueling their time-in-between, whether you’re looking for nutrition for down-time from workouts or a healthful snack to eat on the fly. ABOUT GU ENERGY LABS GU Energy Labs strives to help athletes to reach their highest potential with products that deliver the right nutrients, in the right amounts, at the right time. Developed in collaboration with Olympians and age groupers alike, the GU nutrition matrix of Hydration, Energy and Recovery products has helped countless athletes achieve their dreams since its inception in 1993. Headquartered in Berkeley, GU Energy Labs produces all of its Energy Gels onsite with just the right blend of heart and science. Recommit to becoming your best athletic self, learn more about GU products, and discover how nutrition planning can help you get there at www.guenergy.com.

Planning an eco-friendly wedding can feel daunting at times. There are so many moving parts involved, which makes it difficult to ensure you’re being sustainable at every turn. One of the more attainable steps you can take is to use eco-friendly makeup with sustainably-sourced ingredients and recyclable or reusable packaging at your pre-wedding events. You'll likely hire a professional makeup artist for your actual wedding day (beauty pros tend to use their own products), but using eco-friendly makeup for the events leading up to your nuptials is an effective way to cut down on your wedding's overall waste and carbon emissions.   The beauty industry accounts for a great amount of waste in landfills, which is why these brands are making a change. If you’re looking for even more tips on how to throw a green wedding, we’ve broken down other approachable ways to host a sustainable wedding (or even a zero-waste wedding if you’d like). Check out 19 eco-friendly makeup brands you can use for all of your pre-wedding events (think: engagement party, bach bash and rehearsal dinner).  

1. LUSH

LUSH may be best known for their bath bombs, but they’re also known for their eco-friendly and ethical practices. On a mission to reduce their impact on the earth, LUSH is taking several measures with their packaging. Nearly 35 percent of their products are sold “naked,” meaning package-free. The brand also uses 100 percent post-consumer plastic which can be recycled. In 2012, LUSH also made their plastic bottles 10 percent thinner. (In four years, the company saved nearly 13,500 pounds of plastic through this initiative). The brand has also phased out gift wrapping and excess packaging, offering reusable scarves made from recycled plastic and plant-based, compostable packing peanuts. Their partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation allows them to use recovered plastic from the ocean for their packaging as well. In addition to their sustainable packaging, the company also sources their ingredients ethically and responsibly so ecosystems are not harmed. Whether you pick up a face mask, a shampoo bar or a mascara, you’ll know that your pre-wedding purchase is ecologically responsible.  

2. Ethique

Ethique (French for “ethical”) is on a mission to rid the world of plastic waste. This brand makes solid bars—everything from shampoo to face wash to body wash—that are packaged in 100 percent naturally-derived and biodegradable paper packaging. The company also goes the extra mile to ensure that their paper is chlorine- and acid-free to mitigate pollution of waterways. Ethique also ships their products in biodegradable packaging so that you can compost the waste and sleep well knowing it will disappear in a matter of months (just in time for your wedding).  

3. NakedPoppy

NakedPoppy is a beauty company founded to provide customers with the cleanest clean beauty products possible. But in addition to their commitment to human health and animal health, NakedPoppy is passionate about the planet’s wellbeing. Minimizing their environmental impact is a top priority for the company. They make sure that their ingredients are sourced ethically and sustainably—and that they’re supporting the ecosystems they tap. Give your makeup bag a makeover by working with this company’s algorithm, which suggests products that are perfect for you.  

4. True Botanicals

The founder of True Botanicals started the company after her thyroid cancer diagnosis. She channeled her fear and frustration with the beauty industry into research—and a passion for creating pure, potent and proven products that are good for people and the planet. The ingredients are clean and sustainably-sourced, while the glass packaging can be easily recycled or upcycled. Get a glowing, refreshed complexion before you exchange vows with their popular skincare products.  

5. Cocokind

Cocokind, a natural skincare company, is also focused on sustainability as well. Most of the brand’s packages are domestically-sourced flint glass jars—meaning their carbon footprint is low, as they require less additives and they can be reused or recycled. The company also created their tubes out of sugarcane instead of plastic, use shipping materials approved by the Forestry Stewardship Council and print soy-derived ink on their products. Cocokind also strives to use less water in their product formulations to help conserve the previous natural resource. Whether you try out their new resurfacing mask (it contains a plant-based retinol alternative), their popular watermelon hemp oil or their tinted face stick, this sustainable beauty brand has everything you need to prep for your pre-wedding parties.  

6. Herbivore

Herbivore creates clean beauty products made with ethically-sourced ingredients. The brand also prioritizes sustainability, as they use recyclable and reusable packaging. Shop through their extensive collection of facial oils, serums, moisturizers and toners. The founders of the company believe that skincare is a perfect opportunity for self love and relaxation—making their products perfect for to-be-weds who need extra TLC.  

7. Ilia

Ilia, a clean cosmetics company, is dedicated to reducing the makeup industry’s impact on the planet. They use sustainable packaging options such as recycled aluminum, glass components and responsibly-sourced paper. But Ilia is also focused on what happens after a product is finished, so they’re using TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box platform. To-be-weds who live in the U.S. can mail in five empty beauty products per month to Ilia (psst: they can be any brand) and TerraCycle will break them down responsibly so they don’t end up in a landfill. If planning your wedding is making you stressed out, this eco-friendly decluttering method might be perfect for you.  

8. Tata Harper

Tata Harper is an especially sustainable beauty brand, as their products come straight from their own farm to your face. But the company also strives to be as eco-conscious as possible with their packaging. Almost all of their packaging is recyclable and reusable glass, while the small amount of plastic they use is made from sugar cane. They also use soy-based ink to print on their products, use shipping materials approved by the Sustainable Forestry initiative and use 100 percent post-consumer materials whenever possible. Their luxe skincare products will turn your own bathroom into a full-blown spa.  

9. RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty uses natural products that are intended to heal the skin and improve its health over time. The brand is also committed to bettering the planet’s health as well with their eco-friendly practices. The brand makes a conscious effort to keep packaging as minimal as possible and uses recyclable and reusable materials for their products. Unleash your inner glow with their creamy luminizers, concealers and blushes.  

10. Vapour

Focused on using plant-based ingredients, Vapour offers to-be-weds clean, natural makeup. The brand has everything from foundation to eyeshadow to deodorant (yes, really). The team is also deeply committed to being as sustainable as possible, so they are actively searching for the best packaging ingredients and methods. In the meantime, they’ve created their Empties Recycling Program, where customers can mail back four or more empty containers. Why four or more? So that customers can cut down on carbon emissions from shipping and handling.  

11. Coola

Whether you’re having a spring, summer, fall or winter wedding, sunscreen is an absolute must. Coola, best known for their SPF, also offers clean, plant-based skincare and bodycare. They use naturally effective and sustainably-sourced ingredients that are responsibly farmed. Beyond the product formulation, the product packaging is eco-friendly too. Coola believes in composting and recycling whenever possible and is on a mission to lower their impact on the environment. This year, their tubes used 30 percent less plastic than before. Stock up on their assortment of warm weather essentials before you exchange vows.  

12. Hourglass

Hourglass is a beauty brand loved by celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jasmine Tookes and Janelle Monae. The company produces high-end luxury products (which are mostly all vegan), but they’re also focused on sustainability. They’re helping to cut down on makeup packaging waste with products like their refillable lipstick. Once the actual lipstick is used up, customers can keep the wand and use it again.  

13. Beautycounter

Beautycounter is not only producing clean beauty products, they’re also fighting for political change in the beauty industry—calling for more regulation and higher standards. They’re also making an effort to be as eco-friendly as possible with their packaging. As glass is easier to recycle than plastic, they aim to use as much glass as possible and reduce any additional plastic add-ons (think: spatulas, overcaps and lid inserts). They also include directions on how to recycle all of the packaging on the container, so you don’t have to do any guess work. Pick up their best-selling foundations or highly-coveted velvet eyeshadow palettes.  

14. Tarte

This brand is popular among beauty editors and influencers alike. Tatre is known for their powerhouse ingredients, like Amazonian clay and their Rainforest of the Sea complex. The brand ensures that their products are sustainable—but they also make an effort to give back to the communities they tap. Tatre works with cooperatives in the rainforest to ensure that the ingredients are sustainably harvested and supports the ocean ecosystem through their partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. If you’re a fan of glitter, you’ll love their selection of eyeshadows, lip glosses and highlighters.  

15. Sol de Janerio

Known best for their Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and signature scent, Sol de Janerio is also on a mission to be more sustainable. The brand uses eco-friendly and recyclable materials whenever possible and they select manufacturing partners who efficiently utilize resources through renewable energy, recycling and hazmat waste programs, and water filtration. They also have promising goals for 2020 (like reducing their overall plastic consumption by 25 percent, for example). Pick up any of their luxurious products and be immediately transported to your honeymoon.  

16. Josie Maran

Josie Maran, famous for their argan oil products, is also known as an eco-friendly makeup brand. The company is currently converting to carton packaging made of 100 percent post-consumer waste material. They’re also focused on water conversation and have saved nearly 143,000 gallons of water with their sustainable practices. Load up on skincare, body care and makeup for all of your pre-wedding events.  

17. Lilah b.

Lilah b. was founded with the goal of decluttering makeup routines. Their minimalist line—with its all-white packaging—is perfect for nearlyweds. But they’re also committed to decluttering in a sustainable way, which is why they started their Recycle Program. Send any unwanted beauty products (lilah b. or otherwise) and they’ll work to process and recycle the goods to make room for only what you need.  

18. Authentic Beauty Concept

Authentic Beauty Concept is a high-performance hair care brand. It’s registered with the Vegan Society and is free of microplastics, mineral oil, parabens, silicones and artificial colorants. The company sources their ingredients sustainably thanks to a transparent value chain. One of their main ingredients, guar (known for its conditioning properties), is cultivated by the farmers of the Sustainable Guar Initiative in India (SGI), which enhances the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder guar bean farmers.  

19. Each & Every

Each & Every is a vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand that makes personal care products with natural and clean ingredients. In honor of Earth Day, the company has announced it is making the switch from plastic and launching new sugarcane packaging to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. As a part of its commitment to sustainability, the brand also plans to roll out 100 percent compostable plant-based envelopes for all orders this spring as well.