We support the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also know as the Global Goals are are a set of 17 goals which were agreed by world leaders in 2015.  They are a call to action for governments, businesses, organisations and individuals around the world to tackle the biggest global problems that we face today, such as inequality, poverty, the destruction of life on land and in the sea and climate change, in order to create a better and more sustainable future for the planet and all of us who are living on it by 2030.

We have made a commitment to work towards these goals.
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 Although some are more relevant to our business than others, we recognise that all of the goals are vitally important and that none of them function in isolation. Any one action may contribute to a number of goals. We also recognise that some of the steps we are taking may seem too tiny to make a difference. However, one step inevitably leads to another and we will continue to look for other changes that we can make and additional ways of making a difference.

We believe that no business or individual is too small to be a force for good. And after all, if we don't try to make a difference, how can we expect others to? 

The goals that we have chosen to focus on and the actions we are taking to support them are outlined below.
To find out more information about each goal plus specific targets, global progress to date, events and publications please click on each picture below and you will be taken to the UN website. It's an enlightening read!

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

• we make products which gently cleanse, nourish and soothe the skin, leaving it feeling healthy and happy. Our fragrances are created by blending essential oils which not only smell lovely but have their own  therapeutic properties for mind and body. Using our products makes you feel good!
• we never use artificial colours or fragrances, petro-chemicals, synthetic foaming agents & detergents or preservatives which can be irritating to skin. Instead we use plant oils and butters, herbs, spices, flowers and clays to create products which are kind to skin and can be very beneficial to sensitive and irritated skin. 
• ​our products are made from predominantly organic ingredients  - those that are grown without the use of GMOs, synthetic fertilisers and herbicides thus reducing the number of chemicals that can end up on the skin and get absorbed by the skin into the body.
• ​Clean water is essential for good health and it is something that we often take for granted. We are working with B1G1 Business for Good to give 30 days of access to life-saving clean water to families in Ethiopia every time you place an order on the website.  Of course, this also directly aligns to SDG 6:  Clean water and sanitation.
• Also through B1G1, we give 2 nourishing meals to vulnerable children in Kenya for each trade order that we receive.
  

 Goal 4: Quality Education

• Raising awareness of the issues of sustainability is vital if things are to change. We aim to promote sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles by:
• providing links to the UN SDG pages on our website and showing how our actions align to these goals.
• promoting a sustainable lifestyle by giving information about our products, processes, ingredients and how we are trying to be more sustainable, and providing information about natural skincare and tips for eco-friendly living. We do this through our website, social media, blog and newsletters. We have also given talks to local community groups.
• We also know that learning never ends and we are committed to continue our own learning about sustainability, energy efficiency, ethical practices and so on. In  2020 I completed the foundation module of Green Champion training provided by Zero Waste Scotland and we attend webinars delivered by Business Gateway and other training providers. I am a member of the Ethical Hour Business Community where I access training on ethical business practices and sustainability and where I first learnt about the Sustainable Development Goals. Training provided by SME Climate Hub  is helping us understand what it means to be Net Zero and how on earth to get there! In 2022, I  also  completed the Sustainability Basics training course by Small Business Britain, which was really inspiring.
• Since January 2022, whenever we get a review on our website, Facebook or Google, we give 1 day of training in sustainable agriculture to a villager in Madagascar (through B1G1 Business for Good)

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Our energy supplier provides electricity from 100% renewable sources. We currently use some gas in our business for heating and for making soap but from January 2024, we will have converted to using electricity only.
• We have installed LED lightbulbs as these are the most energy efficient lighting solution.
• We have had a smart meter installed so that we can more easily track our day to day energy consumption.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Our products are multi-functional. This means that consumers need to buy fewer products, cutting down on resource use, packaging and waste.
• Our products are designed to last.  Because our oils & creams are anhydrous - this means they contain no water - their benefits are not diluted and it means a little goes a long way. It also means they are not prone to "going off" and have a long shelf life.
• We offer a reduced price for buying our soap and shampoo bars "naked". Where our products are packaged we are careful to choose sustainable, recycled and recyclable options. Our gift sets are designed so that they can be used again and  again.
• We produce all our products in small batches which ensures freshness and also means that we rarely have surplus.  
• In 2020 we joined the #shopethicalinstead campaign on social media, to promote sustainable consumption as a responsible alternative to Black Friday. We also joined the Vegan Traders month challenge to promote vegan businesses.
• We are taking steps to reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling. Please see our Circular Economy page for more information about how we do this. One of the things we do is reuse packaging from family, friend, colleagues and customers. Sometimes it isn't possible to find a  suitable box and so we do buy some cardboard boxes but the vast majority of our orders are sent out in pre-loved packaging. So far since opening our online store we have saved over 1500 boxes from a trip to the recycling centre and used them for our parcels. We have also reused piles and piles of brown packaging paper, tissue paper and bio-degradable packing peanuts. 
• We have a return scheme for our glass jars and bottles, which we take back to clean, sanitise and reuse. The number of items that have been returned has nearly reached 500. ​
• Everything you will find in our products, except for the clays, salt and pumice stone in some of our products, comes directly from plants, with minimal processing.
• We use organic ingredients where possible which reduces the risk of environmental pollution. Organic ingredients are grown without GMOs, synthetic fertilisers and herbicides on farms where wildlife and biodiversity is protected.
• It is important to us that the sourcing of our ingredients does not contribute negatively to natural habitats, local communities and wildlife and we always try to support those who are producing crops & oils in a responsible way. ​We buy fair trade ingredients and products where possible.
• We prefer to work with suppliers and distributors who have a similar ethos to us and we will continue to seek out and switch suppliers where necessary. 

Goal 13: Climate Action

• Just over a year ago we made the SME Climate Commitment. Recognising that climate change poses a threat to the economy, nature and society-at-large, our company commits to take action immediately in order to:  
  Halve our greenhouse gas emissions before 2030
  Achieve net zero emissions before 2050
  Disclose our progress on a yearly basis
  In doing so, we are proud to be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, and join governments, businesses, cities, regions, and universities around the world that share the same mission
  Visit the UK Business Climate Hub to find out more about what that means.  We recognise that these dates are far too far away. We should be reaching Net Zero long before then.  Scotland has pledged to be a Net Zero nation by 2045 but even that is too long and so we are going to try to get there even faster.  We have already made some changes  but we still have a lot to learn about how to do it. We will keep you updated. We are currently in the process of completing our first annual report.
• Many of the actions that we take towards the other SD goals are also related to the vital need to combat climate change. For example: reusing items rather than buying new, using natural plant based ingredients, reducing waste, avoiding plastic, using renewable electricity and so on will help towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• We are careful to save energy by switching off lights, devices etc when not in use.
• We offer free local deliveries. In an effort to reduce our fuel emissions we will normally deliver to local towns just once a week and combine the trip with the footy run or weekly shop! For deliveries in Kirriemuir,  I aim to  deliver parcels when I am out on a run or walk or when we are going out in the car anyway.
• We buy from UK suppliers / distributors. However, many of our ingredients and products come from around the world so we seek out companies who have made a commitment to sustainability and who are taking steps to reduce and offset the carbon emissions created by importing these goods.
• Wherever we can, we will change suppliers in order to support local and reduce our emissions.  For example, we have recently changed our Hemp Oil supplier to a farm just 10 minutes down the road!

Goal 14: Life below Water

• Plastic pollution is having a devastating affect on our environment, particularly in our oceans. We avoid the use of single use plastic wherever possible in the running of our business and in our manufacturing processes.
• Where we do use or receive plastic, our first goal is to reuse it where we can and then to recycle if possible.
• Since beginning to sell shampoo bars we have prevented  7744 plastic bottles from  entering the waste stream and potentially ending up in our oceans (based on one bottle of shampoo not being bought for every regular sized bar we have sold, donated or used). If we also count the number of soap bars which have been bought instead of shower gel and hand wash, that is another 54,824 bottles! That's a total of 62,568. Just picture what a pile that many bottles would make! (Numbers correct at end of October 2023)​

Goal 15: Life on Land

• We have never and will never use any animal ingredients or animal derived ingredients in our products. As committed vegans we do our very best to ensure that not only the products we make, but also the products and processes we use in the business are vegan friendly.
• None of our products has ever or will ever be tested on animals by us or on behalf of us. We are also careful to buy ingredients for our products which have not been tested on animals, from suppliers who do not test on animals or commission tests to be carried out by a 3rd party. 
• We are certified by PETA as animal test-free and vegan and endorsed by Naturewatch Foundation as Cruelty Free.
• We are vegans primarily because we do not wish to cause harm to animals. However, it is widely recognised that animal agriculture is a contributor to environmental degradation. We gently promote a vegan lifestyle through our branding, website and social media posts.
• It is important to us that the sourcing of our ingredients does not contribute negatively to natural habitats, local communities and wildlife and we want to support those who are producing crops & oils in a responsible way. This is why we choose organic and fair trade ingredients where possible.
• This applies to the sourcing of our palm oil and we are a Brand Partner of Palm Done Right - an organisation which supports farmers in Ecuador to transition to sustainable, organic palm production, The oil is certified Organic, Fair trade and Sustainable at the highest level which means it is not mixed with non sustainable oil and is fully traceable back to the growers in Ecuador.   The farmers and producers are treated and paid fairly for their oil, communities are supported and empowered and the environment and the wildlife are protected by the use of organic farming practices and a No Deforestation policy.
• We support Scottish animal sanctuaries and charities when we can. These include: Willows Animal Sanctuary, Tribe Animal Sanctuary, Ananda Animal Sanctuary and OneKind by donating our products to be auctioned for funds. 
• We support an amazing animal sanctuary near Izmir, Haluk's home town in Turkey. Angels Farm Sanctuary is Turkey's largest animal shelter, giving a home and treatment to abandoned and mistreated animals of all species and also rescuing animals from disasters, such as the recent earthquake zones.
• The world needs trees. We have just begun to plant a tree (through B1G1 Business for Good) whenever someone signs up to our newsletter.