It must be wonderful to be able to start up a business that connects with the things you love. I am not an entrepreneur but I think it is safe to say that one common denominator amongst small businesses focused on craftsmanship and environmental sustainability is passion. After all, starting a business in itself is both a risk and a challenge, and when you choose to be an ethical, eco-conscious brand then expect challenges to be greater yet the rewards more meaningful. On Lokal, Mark, creator of Saan Saan shares with us how launching the brand allows him the freedom to run his own business while doing the things he…
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Piñatex – from Pineapples to Leather (the Good Kind)
By now, you have probably already heard of Piñatex- a sustainably-produced fashion material made from piña (Spanish for pineapple) leaves, and interestingly began its journey in the Philippines. The Piñatex Story Some time in the ’90s, Dr. Carmen Hijosa worked as a specialist in the design and manufacture of leather goods. Visiting a tannery in the Philippines led her to witness the true and devastating impact mass leather production has on people and the environment. Upon leaving the country, she was determined to find a more sustainable alternative to leather. She resigned from her job to spend the next seven years researching and developing what is now a patented material and…
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Small Business Big Impact – How 5 Local Brands Choose To Be Eco
It is so refreshing and exciting to see local businesses playing a proactive role, not only with spreading awareness on the zero waste movement but also in setting a good example on reducing waste, and not creating more unnecessary waste, especially plastic. On this post, we highlight five home grown small businesses who are making a big impact through their packaging choices. Ritual Ritual is a small general store and cacao & coffee joint that focuses on locally-sourced, eco-friendly, and organic products not wrapped in plastic. You can purchase a range of food & drinks, pantry essentials, bath & body products, and natural cleaning agents for the home – buy only…