Welcome to a new year! What are you calling in and saying yes to? What are you letting go of and saying no to? The beginning of the year is always a great time to take stock of what’s working for you (and not working) individually and collectively. As I look back on 2023, I think about the choices I made throughout the year and the impact that resulted from my actions. I understand that every decision—no matter how small—truly matters, and our actions create a ripple effect in our interconnected world.
At Mountain Rose Herbs, we consider the social and environmental impact of every business decision we make. From sourcing organic botanicals and maintaining our Fair-Trade certification to becoming the first Zero-Waste certified business in Oregon, we value people, plants, and planet over profit. With climate change looming over us, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or discouraged by the state of the world. However, there are ways we can alter our daily habits to make a positive impact, resulting in empowering changes that can alleviate the anxiety we may feel about addressing these global issues.
Whether you have New Year resolutions, goals, or intentions, taking small steps to make sustainable change is a great way to start 2024. It’s not about being perfect but about making a conscious effort. As Jane Goodall said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world... What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." With this in mind, I compiled ten Zero-Waste steps for a sustainable New Year.
More than 60 million plastic bottles and cups get thrown away every day. While this is very disheartening news, using a refillable vessel can drastically reduce your consumption of single-use plastics and, at the very least, stop contributing to the problem. Check out our Mountain Rose Klean Kanteen for a reusable water bottle and our Bamboo Tea Tumbler or Glass Tea Tumbler to bring hot tea with you on the go!
The increasing impact of overharvesting wild plants has left many of our native populations at significant risk of decline or even extinction. For this reason, Mountain Rose Herbs partnered with United Plant Savers (UpS) to develop the Seed Stewardship Project. We supply free seeds selected from the UpS At-Risk List to replant populations of these special plants. Now, when you place an order on mountainroseherbs.com, you will have the power to sow your own seeds and effect positive change for these botanicals. Whether in a window box, backyard, or a natural area where these plants once thrived, you can help ensure their survival one seed at a time.
The world uses 5 trillion plastic bags and 10 billion paper bags each year. To reduce this single-use impact, switch to a reusable tote bag. At the Mountain Rose Herbs Mercantile, customers who either bring their own bag, purchase a Mountain Rose Tote Bag or Lunch Tote, or decline one of our paper bags can participate in our Coins for a Cause program, where they choose from one of three local nonprofits to donate a 5-cent token to and drop in the corresponding wooden box.
Mitigating my use of plastic bags and plastic wrap was a head-scratcher until I learned about this crafty way of preserving and storing food. While it is fun to make these, I know many people don’t have the time or ability to make beeswax wraps from scratch. You can often find premade versions from local artisans or at natural food stores, and they are readily available online.
Most cleaning products come packaged in plastic and contain a slew of toxic ingredients that are harmful to your health and the environment. Instead of disinfecting your home with chemicals and polluting the planet with plastic, consider making your own low-waste cleaning supplies at home. This is another quick and easy recipe that can help you achieve your low-waste goals.
Did you know that 700 million laundry detergent containers are thrown into landfills in the US every year? Crafting soap nut laundry detergent means you won’t contribute to that number. There are only three ingredients, so it is simple to make and gentle on the planet. You can also customize the scent based on which essential oils you choose; this is a huge bonus for me as I have a rather picky nose.
Dryer sheets are single-use products, which is always a red flag for folks trying to reduce waste. They are also often synthetically scented and can emit harmful chemicals into the air. One of my least favorite things to experience on an evening walk is a scent blast from someone’s dryer vent. Herbal sachets are a great alternative for anyone who wants to add a little natural scent to their laundry without waste or synthetic aromas.
Over one billion toothpaste tubes are thrown into landfills each year. Making your own toothpaste is the perfect way to end that cycle and gain more control over the ingredients that go into your mouth.
Every year, four billion plastic deodorant containers make end up in rivers, streams, oceans, and landfills. Who knew that smelling good could create that much waste? This recipe uses natural ingredients and a glass, reusable bottle. It’s another opportunity to be creative in the new year and to craft your own scent blends. Sustainability and aromatherapy in one project!
Conventional toilet bowl cleansers contain chemicals like chlorine, ammonia, triclosan, diethylene glycol, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate. These chemicals are extremely detrimental to waterways and aquatic life and not removed in water treatment facilities, meaning they make their way out into the world and wreak havoc on aquatic habitats and natural systems. Making your own cleaner is an easy way to ensure that the ingredients are not harmful and allows you to avoid excess packaging.
You may also enjoy:
Topics: Natural Body Care, Recipes, Sustainability, Tea & Herbal Drinks, Green Living
Ashley Bonn is the Sustainability Communications Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs. She is deeply passionate about social and ecological justice and has several years of experience in community building. Her sustainability journey began after completing an International Business program and studying abroad in South America, where she became inspired to learn more about equitable practices for regenerative living. In 2016, Ashley moved to Portland, Oregon where she completed a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Leadership and worked for several nonprofit organizations. After living in Portland for seven years, she left the busy city and moved to Eugene to deepen her connection with the land. Ashley enjoys hiking, snowboarding, exploring new places, and seeing live music in her free time.
Welcome to a new year! What are you calling in and saying yes to? What are you letting go of and saying no to? The beginning of the year is always a great time to take stock of what’s working for you (and not working) individually and collectively. As I look back on 2023, I think about the choices I made throughout the year and the impact that resulted from my actions. I understand that every decision—no matter how small—truly matters, and our actions create a ripple effect in our interconnected world.
At Mountain Rose Herbs, we consider the social and environmental impact of every business decision we make. From sourcing organic botanicals and maintaining our Fair-Trade certification to becoming the first Zero-Waste certified business in Oregon, we value people, plants, and planet over profit. With climate change looming over us, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or discouraged by the state of the world. However, there are ways we can alter our daily habits to make a positive impact, resulting in empowering changes that can alleviate the anxiety we may feel about addressing these global issues.
Whether you have New Year resolutions, goals, or intentions, taking small steps to make sustainable change is a great way to start 2024. It’s not about being perfect but about making a conscious effort. As Jane Goodall said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world... What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." With this in mind, I compiled ten Zero-Waste steps for a sustainable New Year.
More than 60 million plastic bottles and cups get thrown away every day. While this is very disheartening news, using a refillable vessel can drastically reduce your consumption of single-use plastics and, at the very least, stop contributing to the problem. Check out our Mountain Rose Klean Kanteen for a reusable water bottle and our Bamboo Tea Tumbler or Glass Tea Tumbler to bring hot tea with you on the go!
The increasing impact of overharvesting wild plants has left many of our native populations at significant risk of decline or even extinction. For this reason, Mountain Rose Herbs partnered with United Plant Savers (UpS) to develop the Seed Stewardship Project. We supply free seeds selected from the UpS At-Risk List to replant populations of these special plants. Now, when you place an order on mountainroseherbs.com, you will have the power to sow your own seeds and effect positive change for these botanicals. Whether in a window box, backyard, or a natural area where these plants once thrived, you can help ensure their survival one seed at a time.
The world uses 5 trillion plastic bags and 10 billion paper bags each year. To reduce this single-use impact, switch to a reusable tote bag. At the Mountain Rose Herbs Mercantile, customers who either bring their own bag, purchase a Mountain Rose Tote Bag or Lunch Tote, or decline one of our paper bags can participate in our Coins for a Cause program, where they choose from one of three local nonprofits to donate a 5-cent token to and drop in the corresponding wooden box.
Mitigating my use of plastic bags and plastic wrap was a head-scratcher until I learned about this crafty way of preserving and storing food. While it is fun to make these, I know many people don’t have the time or ability to make beeswax wraps from scratch. You can often find premade versions from local artisans or at natural food stores, and they are readily available online.
Most cleaning products come packaged in plastic and contain a slew of toxic ingredients that are harmful to your health and the environment. Instead of disinfecting your home with chemicals and polluting the planet with plastic, consider making your own low-waste cleaning supplies at home. This is another quick and easy recipe that can help you achieve your low-waste goals.
Did you know that 700 million laundry detergent containers are thrown into landfills in the US every year? Crafting soap nut laundry detergent means you won’t contribute to that number. There are only three ingredients, so it is simple to make and gentle on the planet. You can also customize the scent based on which essential oils you choose; this is a huge bonus for me as I have a rather picky nose.
Dryer sheets are single-use products, which is always a red flag for folks trying to reduce waste. They are also often synthetically scented and can emit harmful chemicals into the air. One of my least favorite things to experience on an evening walk is a scent blast from someone’s dryer vent. Herbal sachets are a great alternative for anyone who wants to add a little natural scent to their laundry without waste or synthetic aromas.
Over one billion toothpaste tubes are thrown into landfills each year. Making your own toothpaste is the perfect way to end that cycle and gain more control over the ingredients that go into your mouth.
Every year, four billion plastic deodorant containers make end up in rivers, streams, oceans, and landfills. Who knew that smelling good could create that much waste? This recipe uses natural ingredients and a glass, reusable bottle. It’s another opportunity to be creative in the new year and to craft your own scent blends. Sustainability and aromatherapy in one project!
Conventional toilet bowl cleansers contain chemicals like chlorine, ammonia, triclosan, diethylene glycol, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate. These chemicals are extremely detrimental to waterways and aquatic life and not removed in water treatment facilities, meaning they make their way out into the world and wreak havoc on aquatic habitats and natural systems. Making your own cleaner is an easy way to ensure that the ingredients are not harmful and allows you to avoid excess packaging.
You may also enjoy:
Topics: Natural Body Care, Recipes, Sustainability, Tea & Herbal Drinks, Green Living
Ashley Bonn is the Sustainability Communications Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs. She is deeply passionate about social and ecological justice and has several years of experience in community building. Her sustainability journey began after completing an International Business program and studying abroad in South America, where she became inspired to learn more about equitable practices for regenerative living. In 2016, Ashley moved to Portland, Oregon where she completed a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Leadership and worked for several nonprofit organizations. After living in Portland for seven years, she left the busy city and moved to Eugene to deepen her connection with the land. Ashley enjoys hiking, snowboarding, exploring new places, and seeing live music in her free time.
