As the focus on living sustainably increases, so too does the search for meaningful practices to incorporate into our lives. We often find ourselves presented with more challenges than solutions. Over time it becomes clear that the simpler and more approachable the solution, the better and more likely we are to stick to the new practice. We all know the importance of recycling and conserving resources, but did you know that there is a framework for eliminating the waste we send to the landfill? That framework is known as zero waste. What does zero waste mean and how does a company as large as Mountain Rose Herbs incorporate these practices into our daily operations? 

Zero waste is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that encourages the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials, without burning and without discharges to land, water, or air.

Benefits of Using a Zero-Waste Strategy

• Supports sustainability - a zero waste strategy supports all three of the generally accepted goals of sustainability: social wellbeing, environmental protection, and economic wellbeing.
• Saves money – since waste is a sign of inefficiency, reduction of waste can lower costs.
• Faster progress – a zero-waste strategy improves production processes and environmental prevention strategies which can lead to taking larger, more innovative steps.

At Mountain Rose Herbs we focus on reduction, reclamation, and recycling. Our first priority is to make sure we only use what we need, which is one reason we adopted our zero-waste policy back in 2007. From the office, to the warehouse, to the production floor, we collect and sort every piece of discarded material that would normally end up in the landfill. Every bit of plastic, poly-woven bags, break room food scraps, gloves, hair nets, barrels, and fiber drums is evaluated and then recycled or (more often than not) given a new home. In 2016, Mountain Rose Herbs was the first company in Oregon to receive TRUE Zero Waste certification from Green Business Certification Inc. Not only did we make history in our home state, but we also achieved the highest available certification – Platinum!

An unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship dictates how we think about our waste management plan. We strive to cut all waste production by rethinking and redesigning our operational procedures to create a more dynamic approach to resource recovery, product design, and recycling. This path helps sustain our bond with the natural world, creates jobs, and saves money. This transformation from a “throw away” society to a sustainable community is a commitment that Mountain Rose Herbs has long embraced. Thanks to new innovations and technologies in the recycling world, we continue to improve our program whenever possible. Here are a few examples of how we do it:

• All potential waste is evaluated for reuse, recycling, and composting.
• All unusable essential oils and carrier oils are collected for biodiesel salvage.
• All styrofoam is reclaimed, reused, or recycled.
• All broken and unused electronics are taken to a local facility for proper salvage and recycling.
• All botanical refuse is collected for composting at our local commercial composter.

These are just a few procedures in place thanks to our zero-waste policy. We want to follow the cycle of the natural world, which produces no waste and utilizes all resources to nurture life on our precious planet. For individuals, one of the easiest ways to start living a zero-waste lifestyle is by supporting companies that are incorporating these practices. At Mountain Rose Herbs, we are so thankful for all of you who choose to support us as part of your zero-waste journey! We must continue to learn from one another, as we are all looking for ways to improve our conservation practices. How do you reduce waste where you live and work? Leave us a comment!