Sustainability
Sustainability is a huge part of Soot & Cinders' identity and informs pretty much everything - from supply purchasing to product creation to packaging to shipping.
Current Programs
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you make a purchase at Soot & Cinders, a portion of the proceeds goes toward eco-projects around the world. Currently, your purchase plants a tree in Kenya.
This is done through GreenSpark and EarthLungs. EarthLungs helps restore critical mangrove ecosystems in Kenya which prevent coastal erosion and promote biodiversity. It also provides local communities with fair work and wages.
(If you join GreenSpark through my referral link, you will get an additional 1000 kgs of CO2 removed in your name)
Sustainably Sourced Wood
All wood is purchased from Ocooch Hardwoods, a small family-run business in the United States. Not only is their wood sustainably sourced, they aim to be a zero-waste company with programs in place to make use of the wood waste they generate.
You can read more about their policies on Ocooch Hardwoods' sustainability page.
Recyclable and Compostable Packaging
I avoid plastic in the packaging for individual items as well as shipping. There's still an item or two I haven't been able to avoid and some I'd like to improve (more on that below), but here's the progress so far:
- Jewelry boxes are made using recycled kraft paper and are recyclable
- Jewelry boxes are tied closed with natural hemp cord from Hemptique
- Backing cards are made from recycled cardstock
- Package inserts are tied together using cotton cord
- Shipping boxes are recyclable cardboard
- Shipping boxes are sealed with paper tape
- Cushioning in the package is recycled shredded crinkle paper
On-Site Recycling
I currently recycle all excess or leftover paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal that arrives with purchased supplies or that is used in producing Soot & Cinders' products.
Making Items on Demand to Avoid the Landfill
Making large amounts of items in advance is easier, but you risk having excessive stock that ends up in a landfill.
While I keep enough supplies on hand to make larger quantities of products as needed, I don't pre-make large quantities of products. That way, if an item becomes less popular, I don't have a ton of items that have to be thrown away, and those raw supplies can be used to make a new (and hopefully more popular ;-) item.
Future Plans/How I Can Improve
Recycled Sterling Silver
I've found a distributor for earring hooks and findings made of 30% post-consumer recycled silver. As soon as my current stock of "regular" sterling silver findings runs out, I will be permanently switching to findings that are at least partially made of recycled silver (with the goal of finding a way to make that 100% recycled silver)
"Cotton" Filled Jewelry Boxes
It can be quite difficult to find "cotton-filled jewelry boxes" that actually contain cotton. Most are polyester or other synthetic fibers.
I am currently looking into alternatives that are more environmentally-friendly. If you have any ideas or know any good sources, I'm all ears! :-) Email me your thoughts at alyssa@sootcinders.com
CO2 Offsets
In the coming months, I plan to invest in carbon offsets to cover all shipping emissions as well as emissions made through creation of the packaging itself.
Another source of CO2 emissions is the website itself. Unfortunately, the pictures and videos needed to show products on e-commerce sites drives up the bandwitdth and data transfer needed to display the page - which in turn drives up energy consumption and emissions.
I'm looking into ways to lower that usage while keeping your customer experience fun and easy-to-use. After the website is in its final form, I will be investing in carbon offsets for it as well.
Other Improvement Ideas
It can be hard to see areas that need improvement, so that's why I'm 100% open to any thoughts or suggestions you might have. If you see an area where Soot & Cinders could improve in sustainability or eco-friendliness, drop me a line at alyssa@sootcinders.com