When operators talk about waste, the first item that comes to mind is food. But there are plenty of other wasteful avenues anyone interested in creating a zero-waste establishment can explore. The challenge for many is knowing when and where to invest and, more often than not, they’re not seeing the whole picture, according to industry experts. “One hard idea to reconcile is operators are typically dealing with waste when it happens and factoring that into their costs,” says Josh Wolfe, corporate chef and director of Sales – Ontario for Food Service Solutions Inc. in Mississauga, Ont. “That’s a bit of a backward approach.” He likens it to the notion of defensive driving. “You can learn how to brake when sliding on ice or get out of dangerous situations. Or you can anticipate what’s around you and put your focus on keeping the right distances or slowing down when conditions are bad. If you do that, you won’t need to take corrective measures.”   Equipment can serve the same preventative purpose, he says. “There are a few processes that can come into play to help treat food differently to mitigate waste. In North America, we cook and serve and hot-hold food so it’s ready quickly. That’s outdated. Cook-chill is the way to go. It’s a much better process with the right combination of equipment.” That combination would typically include a blast chiller, vacuum sealing (to preserve food longer) and a combi and/or rapid-cook oven. “With cook-chill, you can buy large cases of proteins, apply cooking methods such as sous vide or a combi oven — both of which work hand in hand with the chiller — and finish items when ordered. You reduce waste and service time and you no longer have to pre-anticipate because you’re cooking precisely what you need.” Not only can operators reduce food waste, intelligent appliances only use energy when it’s required, he says. “They also help reduce waste through human error because they can be programmed to cook things consistently with little training.” Leaning more on technology can play an enormous role in reducing waste on many fronts, Wolfe notes. “There’s a new DRY AGER cabinet, for example, that manages its own moisture. Instead of losing 25 per cent of volume, dry-aging loses less than 10 per cent. That saves a tremendous amount of waste and increases revenues.” One other discipline chefs need to consider is quantifying their waste and its dollar value, he adds. “It’s easy to do that with labour and is measurable up front.” For Andrew Shakman, president and CEO of Leanpath in Beaverton, Ore., zero waste is all about measurement and analytics. “Historically, there’s been no easy way to measure food waste. In fact, it’s the most undermanaged part of most foodservice operations.” Leanpath’s food-waste equipment platform combines intelligent scales, cameras and touchscreen devices with cloud-based analytics and tools. “This equipment is about driving awareness and changing behaviours in kitchens. Waste reduction occurs when people are making smarter decisions on what they produce and serve. You can only do that when you operate from an informed position.” Even if you don’t look at the data, the improvement is almost immediate. “Having control-systems equipment people can see helps shape a kitchen’s culture and behaviour.” IKEA Canada began working with Leanpath’s food-waste tracking program in December 2018 as part of its global mandate to reduce food waste by 50 per cent by 2020. It reached the 31-per-cent mark within one year of implementing the program, reports Melissa Mirowski, Sustainability manager, IKEA Canada. More than 94,000 kgs. of food waste have been saved since the program started — the equivalent of approximately 200,000 meals. “With the program, we’ve been able to track all food waste in real time. The data is automatically updated onto the Leanpath platform where co-workers can see what is wasted, how much and why. The predictive reporting helps us identify ways to prevent waste through efficient meal planning and material handling. The biggest surprise was that something so simple could create such a big impact across the board.” A NEW TAKE ON DISPOSABLES Beyond food, there are other ways to keep items out of waste streams, says Chris Knight, consultant with The Fifteen Group in Toronto. “Purchasing second-hand equipment is an opportunity for restaurants to save money and be effective in their cost management. It also keeps things out of landfill and recycling plants.” Another area that is gaining momentum is biodegradable takeout packaging. “The improvements we’re seeing are unbelievable. We’re now seeing hundreds, if not thousands, of different packaging using natural products — from corn-based to hemp-based to soy — that do a good job. Even the major chains are working on making the transition to more natural packaging products. They cost more than Styrofoam or plastic, but [operators] can recoup that with a price adjustment.” For those with one-time-use objects that have no place to go, TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Boxes group in Trenton, N.J., has been running a program for hard-to-recycle items not accepted in traditional waste-management streams, explains Rhandi Goodman, global VP. Customers simply order one of its cardboard waste boxes for recycling specific items (e.g. hairnets, gloves, chip bags, plastic wrap, rigid containers, disposable cutlery, coffee cups) to be shipped to their venue. Each box includes a shipping label so it can be sent back for recycling. “Operators can pick what items they want to collect and place them in a designated area,” she says.   SMALLER IDEAS DELIVERING A BIG IMPACT Zero-waste initiatives don’t necessarily have to be on a grand scale to make a difference. Many smaller outlets, including cafés, are equally committed to reducing waste in their operations. At Golden Gecko Coffee in Toronto, Jake Healy says he’s always searching for innovative, environmentally sustainable options for his restaurant. “I find Kickstarter (a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity) useful to find innovative crowdsourcing projects,” he says. He’s always open to trying out programs focused on eliminating the use of disposable coffee cups and recently joined a pilot project with Reego, a new reusable takeout-cup concept where the café charges a one-time $5 deposit for a cup and lid that can be switched for a clean one at any other cafe participating in the program. The company claims if only one-per-cent of Toronto’s takeout coffees were served in reusable takeout containers instead of single-use disposable, more than seven-million disposable cups and lids would be kept out of landfills and oceans. Healy has also sourced a plant-based reusable HuskeeCup for in-store customers. “Reusable cups really help reduce the waste stream in the coffee industry,” he says. Christie Peters, chef/co-owner of The Hollows and Primal in Saskatoon, says she’s always had a zero-waste mindset since opening her first restaurant in 2011. Because Saskatoon didn’t have the compost or pickup systems you would typically see, “I had to come up with my own systems, working with local farmers and other partners to be able to run a no-waste operation.” She only uses biodegradable papers and napkins and harvests honey from a beehive on the restaurant’s roof. She also does whole-animal butchery, using the bones for stocks and sauces and dries and burns them for the compost. “We just got a hammer mill for grinding the bones and bloodmeals for our garden.” All equipment is second hand, including a dehydrator and “a beautiful old combi steam oven we use for canning and preserving,” she says. “We do a ton of canning, pickling, fermenting, drying, freezing and smoking.” Tables and chairs are reclaimed and refurbished pieces. “If anything breaks, we get it repaired. We don’t throw it out. The waste water from the water-cooled fridge is looped to water the patio plants. “We’re looking to push that further and put in a holding tank for flushing toilets.” Her newest project is an aquaponic system at Primal where fish fertilize greens. “People think sustainability is expensive. But the less waste you create, the more money you save. Why buy fertilizer for your garden when you can compost? Why pay for garbage pickup when you can exchange that compost with the farmers you work with? We have one dumpster for our two restaurants that gets picked up once a month. It’s never full. We’re pretty proud of that.” Written by Denise Deveau          

With a large portion of storefronts shuttered across the country, the retail business is being slammed by the fight against COVID-19. In this edition of Beauty Independent’s ongoing series posing questions relevant to beauty entrepreneurs, we ask 12 retailers: What can beauty brands do to help you get through this crisis?

Right now, the brave doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers all over the country are experiencing a shortage of PPE — personal protective equipment aka the masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns that’ll protect them as they’re on the frontlines of the battle against the novel coronavirus. And on my final outing before New York went on “PAUSE” — in other words, lockdown — I felt confident that I found where all the protective gear had gone: It was littered all over the ground, right outside the door of the pharmacy I was exiting.   Unfortunately, a quick search of Twitter and a scan of my town’s community group made one thing abundantly clear: This was by no means an isolated incident.   People from all over the world have taken to social media to lament about others abandoning their gloves and masks as soon as they’re done with them instead of disposing of them properly.  The problem with this is (at least) two-fold; not only is it completely defeating the purpose of the PPE user's sanitary precautions by exposing other people to the used products and potentially the virus , it’s also blatantly littering.   Though these single-use products are incredibly strong when it comes to protecting individuals against catching or spreading COVID-19 — when used properly — they are also incredibly light-weight, which means masks, gloves, and the like can easily be picked up and swept away with the wind, and could end up in waterways or otherwise in nature, hurting birds and marine animals who can mistake the rubber for food and ultimately choke to the death. If you are in possession of masks or gloves, the best thing you can do is donate it to those medical professionals who are in desperate need of supplies to battle the virus; Mask Match is a peer-to-peer exchange for people to connect with medical professionals directly and hand off their masks (without contact, of course). Donate PPE makes it easy to find a hospital in your area that is looking for specific donations. (Remember, N95 respirators need to be properly fitted in order to work effectively.) A quick search on Google or any social network will probably lead you to doctors in your community who are in desperate need of the PPE.   If you aren’t a doctor, the best thing you can do to protect yourself — even better than a mask and gloves if you’re healthy — is wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, and continue to practice social distancing by staying home.  If you need masks or gloves, whether it’s because you or someone in your home is infected or you’re a caregiver for a member of a high-risk group, there are steps you can take to make sure your products are disposed of properly.   Certain areas will accept latex gloves in your recycling, as long as they are properly disinfected and sanitized; if you work in any sort of medical facility, you can enroll in Kimberly-Clark’s nitrile glove recycling program, though right now it is not available for individuals. Kimberly-Clark collects the waste (which isn’t limited to gloves, and includes other medical supplies) and then recycles the raw materials into new, eco-friendly products.   TerraCycle — a private company that recycles hard-to-recycle materials — offers a program specifically for single-use gloves; by investing a collection box, you can dispose of your used gloves (nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves) and then send it back to TerraCycle’s private facility. They then separate the different types of plastic, and, per their website, “the separated plastics then undergo extrusion and pelletization to be molded into new recycled plastic products.”   As far as gloves go, probably the the best thing you can do is be wise about your consumption; while these are a necessity for the healthcare workers, if you're properly social distancing and staying at home, you won't need to send any gloves to the landfill, where nitrile gloves will likely take centuries to biodegrade and natural latex can take years to decompose. As far as masks go, things are a bit more complicated; in order to avoid the public health risk associated with the masks, they have to be thrown out and sent to the landfill in order to be discarded properly. If you’re using a mask because you are sick or you’re caring for someone sick, it should be removed from behind, wrapped in a tissue, and thrown out in a closed garbage pail in order to prevent the spread of the virus, according to the WHO. You should then immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.   During a time of pandemic, it’s easy to feel distraught about the global implications — especially when the medical benefit of these single-use tools may conflict with your usual feelings as an environmentalist to send as little to the landfill as possible. But even in these times of what feels like heightened panic and uncertainty, there are eco-friendly lessons to be learned; over the world, places like NYC and China have seen drops in air pollution, and the water in Venice even cleared as the result of mandatory lockdowns and successful social distancing.  As my colleague explained, rather than looking at this as a benefit of the pandemic, we can instead view it as “irrefutable, firsthand evidence that burning fossil fuels to power cars directly contributes to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere," which leads the heating of the planet and air pollution. In other words, we can see not only that human interference is undeniable, but also that change — and improvement — is possible.   The best way to prevent contracting or spreading coronavirus is with thorough hand washing and social distancing. If you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, which include persistent cough (usually dry), fever, shortness of breath, and fatigue, please call your doctor before going to get tested. For comprehensive resources and updates, visit the CDC website. If you are experiencing anxiety about the virus, seek out mental health support from your provider or visit NAMI.org.

NEXT Trends 2020 Expo West series—a look at "time honored processing," one of the New Hope Network NEXT Data and Insights team's ancient wisdom trends. Mar 25, 2020   NEXT Trends 2020 series: In an effort to help support retailers and brands, we will be publishing regular brand features for the next few weeks. Brands are selected from those that registered to exhibit at Natural Products Expo West 2020 and were curated as great examples of one of 50 trends New Hope Network is monitoring in the marketplace.   These trends are part of New Hope Network's NEXT Expo Guidebook and trend hierarchy.   Today, we look at five companies that are innovating in the "Time Honored Processing" trend within the Ancient Wisdom macro force. These are brands that are challenging conventional modern-day food systems and supply chains by reviving old-word processing techniques and philosophies in collaboration with modern tools.    

1. Soda Press Co.

What is it? Organic soda and kombucha syrups. Innovation: Soda Press sources organic fruits and ingredients like real cola nut, rosemary and lavender extracts for Organic Cola, or natural quinine from the bark of the Congolese Fever Tree for the Classic Indian Tonic. Mixes are certified organic and low in sugar. Natural Products Expo Connect profile/products Soda Press Co. website  

2. Lifeway Foods, Inc.

 What is it? Dairy and non-dairy kefir products. Innovation: In addition to its kefir line, Lifeway now has non-dairy kefir as well as frozen kefir pops. Lifeway only uses milk that comes from grass-fed cows that have not been treated with any artificial hormones or antibiotics. Its packaging also incorporates 100% recyclable plastic and uses TerraCycle boxes at events. Natural Products Expo Connect profile/products Lifeway Foods, Inc. website  

3. Honey Mama’s

What is it? Honey Mama’s makes honey-cocoa bars made from five nutrient-rich ingredients. It makes its chocolate bars from five whole foods: raw honey, virgin coconut oil, cocoa powder, Himalayan pink salt, and either sprouted almonds or shredded coconut. Innovation: These honey-sweetened, coconut oil-based chocolate bars are made from five whole food ingredients. They are gluten, soy, dairy and grain free. Natural Products Expo Connect profile/products Honey Mama’s website    

4. Nounós Creamery

What is it? Nounós Creamery produces Greek yogurt using locally sourced ingredients, a family recipe and an Old World bag-straining method. Innovation: Most Greek or Icelandic yogurts strain using high-speed industrial equipment, with powdered milk or processed thickening agents. Nounós strains yogurt the same way it has been done in the Southern Peloponnese for centuries: straining bags and gravity. The result is a thick, velvety, protein-rich yogurt. Natural Products Expo Connect profile/products Nounós Creamery website  

5. Sahi Sukuti

What is it? Sukuti is a traditional air-dried water buffalo meat dish of Nepal which as a recipe passed through generations. Innovation: Sahi Sukuti sources locally raised, free-range water buffalo, which is air dried into jerky. Natural Products Expo Connect profile/products Sahi Sukuti website

The average American produces 4.51 pounds of trash per day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — and only 35% of that waste gets recycled or composted. That's nearly 140 million tons of waste going to landfills every year! While most of us know to put our cans and bottles in the blue bins for recycling, disposal can get a little trickier when it comes to other items such as appliances, electronics, and old medications — which is why, when you're getting to work on some spring cleaning, it's so important to know how to dispose of these items properly.   Of course, before throwing something away for good, a solid first step is to always donate items (in good, working condition) to nonprofits and charities like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, or local charities; or list them on Craigslist, eBay, or even Facebook. But if it's time your items really hit the curb, it's important to know how to dispose of everything in an environmentally friendly way; after all, even a tiny bit goes a long way when it comes to being green. So if you're wondering what exactly to do with those old batteries or outdated electronics you find as you're cleaning out your house this year, here's a handy A–Z guide on everything you can responsibly dispose of:  

Batteries

  Batteries of all types can be recycled. According to Duracell, regular single-use alkaline batteries (such as ones that power our remotes) can safely go in the trash everywhere except California; however, a more eco-friendly way of disposal is to recycle them at community programs, workplaces, or nearby recycling centers that accept them.   Rechargeable batteries (such as ones in cellphones and other electronics), however, should not be thrown out in the trash and should be recycled, as they may contain hazardous chemicals. To find a nearby recycling site for all types of batteries, be sure to check Call2Recycle and Earth911.com — and before you recycle them, make sure to place non-conductive clear tape over the ends or the terminals of the battery to ensure safe recycling.  

Books

  If you're trying to get rid of some unwanted books, first consider donating them — many charities, libraries, schools, and even prisons and shelters accept donations for used books year-round. Some great organizations — many of which have nationwide drop off locations — include Better World Books, Books For Soldiers, and Books For Africa (as well as secondhand stores like Goodwill or The Salvation Army). Of course, you can also try selling them on sites like Amazon or BookScouter, especially if you have textbooks.   If your books are battered beyond hope, however, sometimes they can be recycled. According to Earth911.com, you can recycle the entire book if it's a paperback, but if you're trying to dispose of a hardcover book, you'll need to remove the cover binding before recycling them. And remember that if your book has gotten wet (or if the papers have turned tan or brown), they should actually be thrown away with your regular trash instead, as this unfortunately makes the material non-recyclable.    

Cleaning Products

  The best way to dispose of cleaning products is to use them! If that's out of the question, it's important to read the labels to figure out the right way to toss them — so be sure to check the bottle's instructions on proper disposal. Hint: In most cases, water-soluble products (like bleach) can be flushed down the drain or toilet with running water, and solid cleaning products like bar soaps and scouring pads can go in the trash. And of course, in recycling the bottles for any cleaning products that can be disposed down the train, be sure to empty all of the unused product and give it a rinse or two before tossing it in the recycling bin.  

Coffee Pods

  If you love using your single-serve machine, you can take steps to eliminate the environmental impact. Nespresso offers capsule recycling at more than 122,000 places around the world. Visit any Nespresso boutique or partner store (including Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma) or pick up a free pod-recycling bag online that comes with a prepaid UPS shipping label.   For K-Cups, some varieties (including the Green Mountain kind) can get recycled, though the company is starting to transition into having all of their pods be recyclable by the end of 2020. Check for a #5 recycling sign on the bottom first, before removing the foil lid and throwing that out along with the grounds (though the filter can remain). Then, recycle the empty cup — though be sure to check locally first, as K-cup pods are not yet recyclable in all communities.    

Electronics

• ·        

• Cell Phones: Before getting rid of your old cell phone, first delete all of your personal information using a factory or hard reset option. (Check the manufacturer's website for info on how). You'll also want to remove or erase the SIM or SD card. Then you can trade in, donate, or recycle your device — usually right at the store. For example, AT&T runs the charity Cell Phones for Soldiers that donates devices to troops overseas. You can also look for e-cycling locations in your area using this database, including private recyclers, nonprofits, and other programs.
• TVs: Don't toss your old TV or monitor in the trash! Some old sets contain toxic materials like lead and count as hazardous waste. Best Buy, LG, Vizio, Samsung, and Sony all offer TV recycling programs (either in-store, event, drop-off site, and haul away options). You can also try contacting your local sanitation department for guidance.
• Laptops and Computers: Check out Dell Reconnect, World Computer Exchange, and eBay for Charity if you're interested in donating your device. Similar to TVs, you'll want to recycle these responsibly, so get in touch with the manufacturer or retailer to see if they'll help out.

Eyeglasses

  Before tossing your old, outdated eyeglasses, first consider donating them to organizations such as OneSight, Lion's Club, or New Eyes, which take old glasses to distribute them to those in need. As glasses can be made up of several different materials, they are a bit challenging to recycle — so donation might actually be your best (and most sustainable) bet. If you do have to dispose of them, however, make sure to separate the lenses from the frames. If your frames are made of aluminum, you may be able to pull them apart (and place them within a larger aluminum container) for curbside recycling. Of course, make sure to double check first by contacting your recycling center or local council.      

Household Appliances

 

• Washers and Dryers: If they're still in good working order, donate them to a shelter or home that would likely benefit. If you're buying new laundry appliances, ask the manufacturer whether they're certified to recycle your old ones. If all else fails, call your local waste management office to see whether you can leave them on the curb, or check out Earth911.com for more options.

 

• Refrigerators and Freezers: Leave the disposal of these hefty appliances to the professionals. Contact your local department of public works to schedule the removal, or use this EPA Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) page to find a partner program near you. The costs for this service will vary. According to the EPA, removal can cost anywhere from $10 to $50, but you may receive a rebate for disposing of your appliance responsibly. Score!

 

• Microwaves: Some municipalities let you recycle broken microwaves as scrap metal. (Electronics recyclers will do the same for a small fee.) You could also bring it to a bulk items or appliance recycling day hosted by local authorities.

Kitchenware

  If you're looking to toss out your old pots and pans and other cookware, consider donating them to secondhand stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army, or even listing them on websites like Craigslist to find them a second home. For kitchenware that's now unusable, however, recycling is an option; in fact, you might be able to recycle your metal pots and pans with curbside recycling if your program accepts "scrap metal." However, most curbside recycling programs won't accept these items, so you should try to find a scrap metal recycler near you to dispose of them properly.   As for kitchen utensils, those made from metal will have the same recycling options as metal cookware, but if your flatware is made from plastic, it's important to know what type of resin they're made of in order to determine their recyclability. Wood spoons and other wooden flatware, however, can usually be composted with your organic waste.    

Light Bulbs

  Some states and jurisdictions may actually require recycling light bulbs, so check your local laws before tossing these in the trash. As bulbs often break when they're thrown away, they can release mercury into the environment. Try Earth911.com for info on how to safely get rid of these (plus other hazards, like paint and pesticides) near you.  

Mattresses

  Some cities will collect your mattress if you put it out (sealed in a plastic bag to prevent bedbugs) with your regular garbage for bulk collection. If you're planning on buying a new mattress, many retailers will also haul the old one away for you.   If it's gently used and in good condition, you could try donating it to a nonprofit (like Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, or a local homeless shelter). Just double-check that health department regulations in your area allow it. If not, try the site Bye-Bye Mattress to find a recycling center near you or hire a removal service like 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to do the dirty work for you.    

Medications

  It's important to dispose of expired or unused medication as soon as possible to prevent others from accidentally taking or intentionally misusing them. To dispose of them safely, use this DEA Diversion Control Division search engine to find a certified disposal site near you (including some pharmacies). Your local law enforcement agency may also host periodic collection days.   If you can't find one, you can also dispose of some medications in the trash following this FDA-suggested method:  

1. Mix the medicines (do not crush) with an unpalatable substance like dirt, cat litter, or old coffee grounds.
2. Place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag.
3. Throw the bag in the trash.

  1.     Scratch or black out all personal information on empty pill bottles or packaging before throwing them away. 2. Note: The FDA recommends flushing a few specific medicines down the toilet when a take-back option is not available due to the potentially fatal risk of someone taking them accidentally. These include hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin) and Oxycodone, and a few others. You can see the full list here or check the label for specific disposal instructions.  

Water Filters

  Many household water filters can be recycled through recycling programs from the manufacturer or retailer. Brita encourages their filters to be sent to their recycling program with TerraCycle — just collect your used filters (after drying them out for three days) as well as Brita pitchers and bottles in a garbage bag, box it up, and then drop it off at a UPS location after filling out a mailing form on the Brita website to get a prepaid shipping label. By doing so, you can even earn Brita points to be redeemed for exclusive rewards!   For other water filter brands, you can contact the manufacturer to find out if they offer a recycling program, or use the Zero Waste Box program from TerraCycle that will safely recycle all of your water filters (as well as air filters) for you — though you'll have to purchase a box to ship out to their program.

The annual Independent Beauty Expo presents industry professionals, retail operators and influencers with the newest beauty and grooming products — many made from natural ingredients rather than synthetics — and this year’s Los Angeles edition of the show showcased many age-appropriate things for busy teens on the go that are now available to the general public.   The best of the show for teens not only makes living a responsible “organic lifestyle” (earth-safe vegan ingredients, minimal and recyclable packaging) more accessible, but also more portable, leak-proof and TSA-friendly.   Higher Education Skincare, formulated by Newport Beach, California, dermatologist Susan Cox, just might be the ultimate entry-level skincare program. She uses an element of fun to educate women aged 15–35 about proper skincare through such offerings as Pre-Req, MBA, Night Owl, Study Buddy, Spring Break, Rush and Grinding Away to master cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, acne treatment and sun protection.   Waverly, Iowa-based Root Eco Beauty + Lifestyle features a natural color palette as well a full line of natural skincare, hair care, body care and nontoxic cleaning products. In terms of items for young women on the go, the Pretty Kit ($62) offers everything one needs to make their face the perfect canvas. Other handy releases include Pretty Paint Cream blush + lip tins ($16) and the Pretty Forever Palette ($30), which allows for mixing and matching everyday essentials on the go.   Teens who like to experiment with bolder colors will enjoy Hollywood-inspired lifestyle brand IBY Beauty. While its new lipstick line is full of girly, age-appropriate ,colored lipsticks, kits feature eye-catching artwork holding coordinating shadows or blushes. The company’s mission statement is “Encouraging self-expression and redefining beauty standards with cruelty-free products that won’t break the bank.” Highlights include Glow Up on the Go, a highlighter kit complete with brush ($24); California-inspired lip kits ($29); professional make-up artist-styled “Contour and Conquer”; and splashy eye shadow palettes ($20).   MODA by Royal & Langnickel Brush Manufacturing offers both full- and travel-sized cosmetics brush sets ($6.99–44.99) in a variety of colors and finishes, as well as a few extra perks. In partnership with environmental organization TerraCycle, one can send the company used makeup brushes and get up to 30 percent off the next purchase. Its website also features its Beauty Blog Mavens, young women their age offering tips and tricks for lasting applications.   Young women and men who either have skincare favorites they can’t live without or have a prescribed skincare regimen will appreciate Kate Westad’s Palette by Pak, a reusable lifesaver with five leak-proof compartments. The U.S.-made refillable kit holds essentials in a small, packable space and is reusable, washable, flexible and eliminates the need to buy bulkier travel bottles or travel-sized products.   Smartypits serves up a fruit stand’s worth of aluminum-free deodorants formulated exclusively for teens’ and preteens’ sensitive skin ($9), including the best-selling Pink Lemonade scent and a subtle timber/pine scent boys can relate to. The company also offers four-packs of travel-sized minis for adults and teens with different scent selections to suit one’s mood as well as hygiene needs. Anybody who regularly goes on quick weekend trips (i.e. a high school athlete traveling to a game in another city) will appreciate the ease of Whish’s Deodorant Swipes ($22) made with natural and organic ingredients, including witch hazel extract, organic licorice, organic chamomile and organic calendula.   Teens and parents flying cross-country or overseas will appreciate the fact Starry Eyes and Jet Setter eye masks by Popmask ($20 for a five-pack) not only blocks out light, but are is also self-heating on the first use when the outer package is open and reacts with oxygen. U.K. inventor Louisa Booth is also in the process of releasing a lightly scented variation on the mask with relaxation-boosting vegan botanicals previewed at the IBE show.

The annual Independent Beauty Expo presents industry professionals, retail operators and influencers with the newest beauty and grooming products — many made from natural ingredients rather than synthetics — and this year’s Los Angeles edition of the show showcased many age-appropriate things for busy teens on the go that are now available to the general public.   The best of the show for teens not only makes living a responsible “organic lifestyle” (earth-safe vegan ingredients, minimal and recyclable packaging) more accessible, but also more portable, leak-proof and TSA-friendly.   Higher Education Skincare, formulated by Newport Beach, California, dermatologist Susan Cox, just might be the ultimate entry-level skincare program. She uses an element of fun to educate women aged 15–35 about proper skincare through such offerings as Pre-Req, MBA, Night Owl, Study Buddy, Spring Break, Rush and Grinding Away to master cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, acne treatment and sun protection.   Waverly, Iowa-based Root Eco Beauty + Lifestyle features a natural color palette as well a full line of natural skincare, hair care, body care and nontoxic cleaning products. In terms of items for young women on the go, the Pretty Kit ($62) offers everything one needs to make their face the perfect canvas. Other handy releases include Pretty Paint Cream blush + lip tins ($16) and the Pretty Forever Palette ($30), which allows for mixing and matching everyday essentials on the go.   Teens who like to experiment with bolder colors will enjoy Hollywood-inspired lifestyle brand IBY Beauty. While its new lipstick line is full of girly, age-appropriate ,colored lipsticks, kits feature eye-catching artwork holding coordinating shadows or blushes. The company’s mission statement is “Encouraging self-expression and redefining beauty standards with cruelty-free products that won’t break the bank.” Highlights include Glow Up on the Go, a highlighter kit complete with brush ($24); California-inspired lip kits ($29); professional make-up artist-styled “Contour and Conquer”; and splashy eye shadow palettes ($20).   MODA by Royal & Langnickel Brush Manufacturing offers both full- and travel-sized cosmetics brush sets ($6.99–44.99) in a variety of colors and finishes, as well as a few extra perks. In partnership with environmental organization TerraCycle, one can send the company used makeup brushes and get up to 30 percent off the next purchase. Its website also features its Beauty Blog Mavens, young women their age offering tips and tricks for lasting applications.   Young women and men who either have skincare favorites they can’t live without or have a prescribed skincare regimen will appreciate Kate Westad’s Palette by Pak, a reusable lifesaver with five leak-proof compartments. The U.S.-made refillable kit holds essentials in a small, packable space and is reusable, washable, flexible and eliminates the need to buy bulkier travel bottles or travel-sized products.   Smartypits serves up a fruit stand’s worth of aluminum-free deodorants formulated exclusively for teens’ and preteens’ sensitive skin ($9), including the best-selling Pink Lemonade scent and a subtle timber/pine scent boys can relate to. The company also offers four-packs of travel-sized minis for adults and teens with different scent selections to suit one’s mood as well as hygiene needs. Anybody who regularly goes on quick weekend trips (i.e. a high school athlete traveling to a game in another city) will appreciate the ease of Whish’s Deodorant Swipes ($22) made with natural and organic ingredients, including witch hazel extract, organic licorice, organic chamomile and organic calendula.   Teens and parents flying cross-country or overseas will appreciate the fact Starry Eyes and Jet Setter eye masks by Popmask ($20 for a five-pack) not only blocks out light, but are is also self-heating on the first use when the outer package is open and reacts with oxygen. U.K. inventor Louisa Booth is also in the process of releasing a lightly scented variation on the mask with relaxation-boosting vegan botanicals previewed at the IBE show.

As sustainability becomes a focal point in the development of products, brands and retailers are starting to adopt certain practices in-store.   Five-year-old Veja opened its first store in the U.S. on March 3, in the Nolita neighborhood of New York City. The brand’s first flagship store debuted in Paris in October. Sébastien Kopp, Veja co-founder, described its in-store brand philosophy, which includes unpainted walls and running on renewable electricity, as a game — to level up and compete with itself to do more and better. Veja joins a new trend in the retail experience, which focuses on customer values.   “In order to be sustainable, the first thing to do is nothing,” said Kopp of building a sustainable store.   Veja’s overall approach is working: The company earned $73 million in 2019 sales, with wholesale making up 60% of sales. In its New York store, it left the walls, floors and windows unchanged, so paint is chipped or discolored, and floors are wonky and uneven. Where Veja did modify was in adding lightboxes, displays for shoes and a light installation by the neon artist Kleber Matheus. The store’s electricity is 100% reliant on renewable energy sources. Within the Veja store, a nearly 10-minute video is on display that tells the company’s founding story and describes sustainability initiatives. The overall store concept is seemingly at odds with the current trend around experiential retail, which includes copious displays, endcaps and other gondolas, uniquely designed walls and lighting, and a more-is-more aesthetic. Kopp said he expects sustainable stores to be the future of retail.   “It’s a new state of mind and a new era. Everybody realizes that luxury and the endless resources we were taking for granted is over,” said Kopp. “The challenge of our generation is to adapt through [practices like] recycling and the circular economy.”   Sustainability has started to gain traction in the retail environment. Sustainable brand Allbirds, which has 18 stores globally, has similar practices in place, such as Energy Star-rated appliances and LED-certified lighting. It also uses natural and recycled materials throughout stores’ designs. The beauty retailer The Detox Market recently launched in its seven stores a collection of sustainable products accompanied by TerraCycle boxes, and incorporated wall designs that show the Earth’s temperature increase over time. Beauty brand Lush has opened standalone “naked” stores dedicated to packaging-free products since 2019.   Kopp also said Veja’s sustainable approach probably saved the company between 20% and 25% in the building out of the NYC store, but that it was difficult to determine or compare to a non-sustainable version because the company always planned to build it that way.   Emily Albright Miller, vp of strategy for retail design firm Big Red Rooster, said many aspects of sustainability could actually contribute to increased build-out costs.   “We believe the return on investment of these efforts will pay off as brands demonstrate to consumers how they are living their values,” she said. “Consumers will continue to shop brands that align with their values, yet consumers are complex, and [their] set of values is diverse.”   Dependent on the containment of COVID-19, Veja will open up an additional store in April in France that will feature a recycling and repair section for Veja shoes.

In partnership with the Readington Township Environmental Commission, the third-grade leadership club at Whitehouse School in Whitehouse Station called Student Voice is initiating an environmentally-minded program called the Trex Challenge.   The Trex Company began a friendly competition over a decade ago to encourage communities to recycle plastic film wrapping and bags. Whitehouse School Student Voice and the Environmental Commission have set a goal of collecting 500 pounds of polyethylene plastic by this summer to keep it from winding up in landfills, as it is not currently recycled by the county.   Student Voice advisors Lori Yukniewicz and Valerie Zanardi were pleased with the Environmental Commission’s enthusiasm to collaborate with the third graders. “The commission actually stopped their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to give a round of applause when we listed all the environmental programs Whitehouse School students and staff participate in on a daily basis,” said Zanardi. “Both groups have a mutual love for the Earth.”   Whitehouse School has earned the distinction of being a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School, as well as being a multi-year recipient of the N.J. Sustainable Schools highest award. To aid these green missions, Student Voice members collect food from the lunchroom and place it in a three-year compost bin. The third-grade leadership club also solicits shampoo bottles and beauty packaging for a TerraCycle program, as well as printer cartridges for yet another recycling venture.   Teacher Melissa Truempy coordinates with the Rutgers Master Gardeners to facilitate a Seeds to Salad experience in one of the two sensory gardens found at the elementary school. Each grade level is responsible for some aspect of the growing cycle: germinating seeds, planting sprouts, weeding, and watering with collected rainwater. All students then participate in a school-wide harvest.   Students encourage the whole community to help with the challenge. Bring your plastic film to the bin outside the Municipal Building at 509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station. The following plastic is salvageable: grocery and retail bags, Ziplocs, case over-wraps, bread bags, bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves, and dry cleaning bags. All plastic must be empty and dry. Sustainability of the planet is the supreme goal but, as an incentive, if Readington Township is able to deliver 500 pounds of polyethylene by summer, Whitehouse School will earn a Trex bench for its sensory garden.

In partnership with the Readington Township Environmental Commission, the third-grade leadership club at Whitehouse School in Whitehouse Station called Student Voice is initiating an environmentally-minded program called the Trex Challenge.   The Trex Company began a friendly competition over a decade ago to encourage communities to recycle plastic film wrapping and bags. Whitehouse School Student Voice and the Environmental Commission have set a goal of collecting 500 pounds of polyethylene plastic by this summer to keep it from winding up in landfills, as it is not currently recycled by the county.   Student Voice advisors Lori Yukniewicz and Valerie Zanardi were pleased with the Environmental Commission’s enthusiasm to collaborate with the third graders. “The commission actually stopped their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to give a round of applause when we listed all the environmental programs Whitehouse School students and staff participate in on a daily basis,” said Zanardi. “Both groups have a mutual love for the Earth.”   Whitehouse School has earned the distinction of being a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School, as well as being a multi-year recipient of the N.J. Sustainable Schools highest award. To aid these green missions, Student Voice members collect food from the lunchroom and place it in a three-year compost bin. The third-grade leadership club also solicits shampoo bottles and beauty packaging for a TerraCycle program, as well as printer cartridges for yet another recycling venture.   Teacher Melissa Truempy coordinates with the Rutgers Master Gardeners to facilitate a Seeds to Salad experience in one of the two sensory gardens found at the elementary school. Each grade level is responsible for some aspect of the growing cycle: germinating seeds, planting sprouts, weeding, and watering with collected rainwater. All students then participate in a school-wide harvest.   Students encourage the whole community to help with the challenge. Bring your plastic film to the bin outside the Municipal Building at 509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station. The following plastic is salvageable: grocery and retail bags, Ziplocs, case over-wraps, bread bags, bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves, and dry cleaning bags. All plastic must be empty and dry.   Sustainability of the planet is the supreme goal but, as an incentive, if Readington Township is able to deliver 500 pounds of polyethylene by summer, Whitehouse School will earn a Trex bench for its sensory garden.