Environmental Policy

Ecostainable is all about being GENUINELY eco-friendly and sustainable. Here are the ways we are a sustainable business.

 

Our Shipping Packaging:

Boxes - Where possible our packaging is re-used to save trees and costs. When necessary we use prefabricated boxes to suit the Australia Post 'if it packs it posts' guidelines and to also reduce the amount of 'stuffing' needed inside each box.

Shredded Paper - All shredded paper is re-used and compostable and can be used as mulch in your garden or bedding for pets.

Packaging Peanuts - Packaging peanuts are made from third grade corn, and fully compostable or dissolvable in water.  Safe to wash down drains or into septic systems.

Scrunched Paper/Cardboard - All scrunched paper or cardboard used to protect products during shipment is re-used, and fully recyclable in kerbside recycling.

Packaging Tape - we currently use plastic based packaging tape for efficiency and practicality of packaging.  Brown tape is 'greenwashing' and is mostly plastic.  As Ecostainable grows, we hope to install a more sustainable option such as gum tape.  You do not need to remove packaging tape to recycle mailing boxes.

 

Product Packaging:

Ecostainable aims to sell products only with recyclable or compostable packaging. This is very much a work in progress, and we are continually working with our suppliers toward eliminating excess and unsustainable packaging.

Ecostainable Founder, Karen, has prepared a statement regarding the use of plastic packaging for the Tri Nature product range.

There are numerous reasons why Tri Nature products are in plastic and in understanding these, you will feel more comfortable in your decision to purchase Tri Nature. Tri Nature's packaging choices are about longevity, affordability and practicality.

The majority of Tri Nature products are concentrates, so ultimately you will create less waste.  The concentrate liquids are designed to decant a small amount into an industrial strength spray bottle (which will last 10+ years) and mix with water. The powders use either a full or half 25g scoop, so a 2kg bag will last up to 160 washes. 

The bottles used for liquid concentrates are also opaque, and when stored in a cool environment, will ensure the concentrate will last for many months, if not years!  Exposed to light, the effectiveness of concentrates will diminish over time.

Powders must be kept away from moisture to ensure the product works effectively.  Paper or cardboard is not practical as moisture is absorbed through and into the product, activating the powder.  Any powder on the market, packaged in paper or cardboard has either a plastic lining, or ingredients in the powder to stop it from activating - and no purpose whatsoever in cleaning!

Tri Nature products are also available in bulk sizes - 5L bottles or 10kg buckets/bags.  There is a significant reduction in waste if you are able to purchase products in bulk. For example 1 x 5L bottle of Chamomile Dishwashing Liquid would last the average household a year.  Thus, one large bottle, that can be kerbside recycled or even up-cycled is very little waste for a years worth of dishes!

All bottles and bags are recyclable in either kerbside recycling or through the REDcycle program (Coles and Woolies) and smaller tubs and bottles are great for re-use when travelling - i.e. day cream, night cream, small bottles etc.

Also, the ‘amber’ plastic used in the Kyphi Skincare range, as well as a number of the cleaning products, actually contains a percentage of recycled plastic, so not all plastic in the Tri Nature range is virgin plastic.

The overall waste (and cost) of Tri Nature concentrates and powders is significantly less than any supermarket equivalent, this is in addition, to the benefits of a plant based product in your home and then released into the environment makes Tri Nature a sustainable choice.

Plastic packaging is much more affordable than glass, so the cost of the packaging does not directly impact the cost of the product, if it was glass the cost of Tri Nature products would be significantly higher.

Glass packaging is heavy and fragile.  To transport heavy glass bottles is very expensive, and extremely like to be damaged in transit. Higher weights would mean more carbon used to transport.  Fragile items are not easily transported in the freight industry and the cost to replace damaged products would certainly increase the amount of waste created by the company and also increase costs to replace products, and thus creating more carbon, for re-transport.

Glass recycling in Australia is not effective, as virgin glass is cheaper to purchase than recycled glass and there are 1000s of tonnes of glass stockpiled across Australia waiting to be recycled.

Aluminium packaging may be an option in the future, and is something that Tri Nature are looking into as an alternative. Aluminium is extremely versatile, and easily recyclable, however I don’t think there are any manufacturing premises in Australia that make bottles etc, and importing products, would create an ethics/environment impact issue.

So yes, Tri Nature products are packaged in plastic, but that doesn’t make it bad or an unsustainable choice. 

x Karen.

Ecostainable's Energy Use:

Ecostainable's energy is sourced from 100% renewable Australian energy, sourced from Green Power Accredited and Australian Owned RedEnergy.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

Greenhouse gasses (GHG) are contributing heavily to the increase of Global Warming.  Ecostainable is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2022, by embracing solar energy, waste reduction and our Carbon Offset Program.

Our Waste:

Ecostainable is proud to state that over 90% of our business waste is diverted from landfill. It is either recycled, composted or re-used in our packaging.  We would love to be zero waste, and will continue to set high targets each year, working toward the ultimate goal!

End of Life waste:

On top of eliminating business related waste, we are constantly considering the waste at the end of life of each product you buy. 

We are aware that recycling isn't always the answer, but we are also aware of the challenges to live waste free.

Our aim is to provide customers with the best options and information and therefore an informed purchase decision.

All of our products are perfect for use now, but what happens when they break or no are no longer suitable for use?  This is what we call 'end of life' and we don't want masses of eco-friendly products ending up in landfill or stockpiling in recycling centres.

We don't have all the answers, we are learning as we go, but ultimately by 2025 we aim for 90% of all products sold will be recyclable at home, compostable via commercial composting facilities, or be returned to us for recycling at their end of life.

 

If you have got a question or feedback on our Environmental Policy, please shoot us an email to orders@ecostainable.com.au.

 

 Ecostainable - changing the world, one home at a time.