"Let's make a sustainable, toxin-free, plant-based omega-3 supplement that also doesn't contribute to the global waste epidemic," we said.
Proud of ourselves for creating a product that didn't need a box and would, therefore, not contribute to landfills and/or recycling heaps nation-wide, we launched our Nothing Fishy Here Omega-3 Spray.
We did it!
Psych.
It didn't take long for our joy bubble to burst. We were quickly informed that, in order to be considered for retail sales, we would need to house our new omega 3 spray in a box. "Because customers will want to read more about this [really cool, innovative, ground-breaking, new] product."
Determined, still, to hold true to our goals we set about tackling the issue. Much caffeine and deliberation later (this was before our pre workout so coffee and chai tea lattes ruled the day), we decided to package our omega-3 spray in a plantable box. Not only would we provide our customers with a product that didn't contribute to rampant over-fishing but we'd throw in a garden for free.
The box is born
Luckily for us, we found a company that offered exactly what we were looking for: plantable boxes handmade in California from 100% recycled paper pulp. We couldn't have been more thrilled.
Not only are our omega-3 boxes made from entirely recycled fibers, but the way in which they're manufactured (one sheet at a time) is environmentally conscious, employing the use of reclaimed water by skilled artisans. Additionally, each and every box is free from all chemicals, dyes, and additives. We want your garden to be as organic as your supplements!
What of the wildflowers?
The best part? Each box contains a complete variety of non-invasive wildflower seeds. Sweet alyssum, catchfly, Siberian wallflower, Black-eyed Susan, and baby blue eyes, to be exact. Simply bury your box in the garden, or plant it in a lovely clay pot, water daily, and watch those babies bloom.
Bees, please
Fish aren't the only animals we'd like to help (given the opportunity we'd love to help them all), which is why we've specifically chosen wildflowers that are beneficial for the bee population. With native bees in rapid decline, due to loss of habitat and increased pesticide use, our pollinators are at serious risk. Currently, 1 in every 4 native North American bees is in danger of becoming extinct. That's 347 bee species liable for extinction. Hot damn.
A loss of this magnitude would be detrimental to our agricultural system as these pollinators contribute priceless ecosystem services to our farming economy every year.
So? Plant this box: help the bees.
But what about cost?
Inevitably, as they often tend to, earth-friendly ideas such as this one cost more than their less friendly alternatives. As a start-up, especially, cost matters to us (whaddup, fundraising) but the issue of waste is simply too important to dismiss.
Although this is the first of its kind in our industry, we hope that packaging like this [beautiful] plantable box become the norm. By offering our customers a sustainable alternative we aim to inspire them to ask for more from the other brands they frequent.
Supply and demand, it's that simple. If we, as consumers, insist on better manufacturing and packaging processes, it's within our power to effect that change.
Moral of the story
- Plant a box
- Grow some seeds
- Support the bees
- Be waste free
