Recycle. Reduce. Reuse.
We care deeply about our environment and envision a future where humans are a net positive contributor to our planet and humanity. At the heart of everything we do in our shop, this vision is a constant factor in how we produce and sell our products. From sourcing materials from companies committed to recycling to developing production methods that significantly reduce waste, we are committed to you and our future generations.
The materials we use are sourced from manufacturers who have developed and committed to recycling programs to contribute to a circular material lifecycle.
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Shipping & Packaging Materials ​
Our shipping and packaging materials are sourced from EcoEnclose – a Colorado based company who's mission is to develop and offer the world's most sustainable ecommerce packaging solutions. The shipping boxes and mailers that our products are packaged in have been manufactured with at least 90% post-consumer waste and are 100% recyclable, naturally biodegradable and compostable (we'd prefer that you recycle or reuse them though).
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These boxes and mailers are accepted in most curbside recycling programs – be sure to check with your local recycling facility for acceptable materials.
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Algae Ink™ ​
The Algae Ink used to print our branding on our boxes and mailers is considered the world's most sustainable ink. What's so great about Algae Ink? Even the most eco-friendly (water-based or soy-based) inks available today utilize pigments made with oil or petroleum. Algae Ink is a revolutionary ink developed by Living Ink Technologies that utilizes algae cells for pigment, making it safer and cleaner to work with, and more compatible with the recycling and composting process.
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What makes Algae Ink™ the world's most sustainable ink?
Algae Ink is a carbon negative unk, sequestering more carbon in a stable and long lasting form than is used in its production. For every pound of Algae Ink used, 26 lbs of CO2 equivalent are captured. Every 45 lb bucket of Algae Ink has a similar sequestration impact to planting two trees. Additionally, Algae Ink is 86% biorenewable content and Algae Flexographic Ink is 90% biorenewable content.
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Why is Algae Ink™ more sustainable than water or soy based ink?
Water and soy based describes the ink's "carrier" (the agent which carries pigment onto the printing substrate). The move from solvent carriers to water and plant based carriers was a great one for the environment. But pigments in these inks are still derived from fossil fuels. Algae Ink is a leap forward in the landscape of sustainable inks, as its pigments are biorenewable, derived from algae (and in fact, derived from waste generated by an algae fuel production facility). Algae Ink utilizes water or plant based carriers and is the most renewable ink available today.
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Is Algae Ink™ recyclable?
When it comes to ink, "recyclability" refers to how easily the ink can be removed form a recycled substrate during the repulping/melting and de-inking process. Studies have shown that water and soy based inks are easier and cleaner to de-ink than solvent-based inks. Thus far, studies have not been conducted on the de-inking or water and soy based inks utilizing algae pigments.
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Is Algae Ink™ compostable?
When it comes to ink, "compostability" refers to how well a substrate composts with a specific type of printing ink on it. The majority of paper-based packages are considered compostable, despite the fact that inks used to print on them utilize fossil-fuel derived pigments. This is because inks account for such a tiny percentage of the overall package's weight, and this minute amount of contamination is considered acceptable. As composting becomes more common, we believe it is critical that people consider the impact of the small components of their packages, such as inks and adhesives. One reason we are so excited about algae ink is that the pigments (the majority of what is left on the package) are biorenewable, naturally biodegradable, and therefore safer for our soils.
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Vinyl Materials ​
Currently, there are no vinyl manufacturers that produce vinyl materials from post-consumer waste. However, most major manufacturers have developed their manufacturing process to eliminate and reuse waste and other byproducts during production. Orafol in particular, our preferred vinyl material manufacturer, recycles all of its waste back into the material during the manufacturing process. Orafol also takes it's environmental impact seriously and has established programs and purchased equipment that helps reduce their carbon-footprint. This includes automated lighting systems in their offices, warehouses, and manufacturing plants, as well as systems that clean and filter the exhaust from their manufacturing plants.