Sustainability
We are on our journey to bettering our sustainability as a small business here in Aotearoa.
Ways we are working as sustainably as possible. Currently we are small batch. What this means is quality and freshness is assured in each bottle. Each year there are millions of bottles and jars of unused or expired skincare ending up in landfills because of mass produced factory made skincare/beauty products.
Oria Skin takes pride in manufacturing in house, ensuring not only the product quality, energy and magic that goes into hand making these, but we can make sure our products are made fresh to order, extending the shelf life - knowing everything is being used up!
Our packing is made with sustainable materials
Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality over time, we are using a little plastic for the mists (as there is no alternative) and using aluminum lids. Our packing can be repurposed or re-filled. Check out our blog post here on ideas for repurposing our bottles and jars.
At this stage we can only refill your own personal empties while we work on a sterolised system. Watch this space as we look to get refillable optons.
We use all our grey water from making products on the garden. We have very little overflow of water. All our packing that comes to us, we re-use in our wholesale orders for padding.
We encourage people to do the same so the same packing padding can be used again and again!
We do our best for the planet.
We contribute to One Percent collective donating to Sustainable Coastlines NZ.
We are avid planters - always planting bee friendly plants in our gardens , also planting native forests on my Dads farm on the East Coast. We have a large section of Native Bush that is protected in QE2 Trust for life.
Another thing very close to my heart is the welfare and future for animals. I often donate profits to SPCA and to the Jane Goodall Institute NZ. Jane is one of my most inspiring people, and was lucky to see her speak recently in Auckland. She says "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make" - Jane Goodall. If you would like to make a difference, you can donate to the organisation here.
SPCA NZ also, here.
I am doing my best as a small business owner - if you have any helpful suggestions or questions, please do reach out.
Kate x
Recycleable
Glass is a recyclable material that will never deteriorate no matter how many times it's broken down - unlike plastic which only can be recycled 4-5 times before it is no longer sufficient.
Little waste
What comes to us is used completely, recycled or repurposed. We don't produce much rubbish at all in our studio.
Small batch + Compostable
We use compostable wood wool, tissue paper, card, paper also cardboard boxes and compostable mailers.
Local refills
We have this option available for Gisborne residents - however we would love to refill yours too if you save 3 or more bottles, contact us for discounted re-ordering.
Ingredients
Our suppliers are committed to finding the finest ingredients from NZ and around the world, these ingredients must be ethically sourced and where possible are bought directly from the growers so a relationship is established between the two parties. We have essential oils sourced locally wherever possible too.
Sustainability is something that is always evolving with new ways we can be bettering our practices, so it's always a work in progress.
We are excited and hopeful to see changes made globally, it can't happen sooner.