Our mission at Better Basics is to make it effortless to reduce single-use plastic from the waste stream. We do this by making it easy for you to swap from a single item, to a refill.
Every time one of our refills is purchased, we equate that to 4 plastic bottles saved from the landfill. Every time a reusable bag is purchased, it can save 100 plastic bags.
Throughout the course of our 3 years in operation, we have counted every product sold, and the average number of single-use plastics diverted. We are proud to share that we have diverted 1.2 million plastic bottles from landfills and oceans.
It's amazing to see the results from a small, everyday item. It just goes to show the power in making small, thoughtful choices about what you consume.
Our Plastic Fighting Mission
In the quest to create a more sustainable company, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the various resource and environmental impacts that our company makes. We are a small startup and we have chosen to focus our energy on one area of our business: sourcing. The sourcing of materials and most importantly, how recyclable and reusable they are is the guiding principle to our sustainability standards.
We choose materials like aluminum, tin and paper for its ability to be infinitely recycled and biodegrade. We know that in the world of plastic, there is no "ok", only "bad", which is why we have taken such a strong stance against using plastic in our products.
There are a myriad of environmental concerns related to plastic packaging (namely that it never goes away... hello microplastics), but of utmost concern is how reliant we are on it in this industry, and how normalized it is to consume a product in a plastic container. By focusing on long-lasting, natural materials we are saving toxic petrochemicals from entering our environment (and or bodies), and are also able to offer higher quality, more long lasting and reusable products.
Other Social + Environmental Impacts
Our sustainable goals don't just stop at the packaging. We evaluate every ingredient in our products for their health impact on people and the planet. We refuse to use palm oil and perfumes, artificial colours or petroleum-based synthetics in our ingredients.
We have strong social and ethical values as well, with all of our ingredients cruelty-free certified, and our organic cotton GOTS certified and fair trade. We like to work with women and employ women to barriers of employment, or mothers who require flexible schedule.
The Significance of 1.2 Million Bottles
The milestone of diverting 1.2 million plastic bottles represents more than just a number. Each bottle saved signifies a reflection of Better Basics' efforts but also of the collective actions of consumers, employees, and stakeholders. It highlights the power of individual choices in driving positive change and emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness and activism.
Looking Ahead: The Road to a Greener Future
While celebrating this significant milestone, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of our packaging, supply chain and ingredients. We make plastic-free education part of our goal and creating a community of like-minded folks who have simple tips and tricks is part of or mission.
As consumers, we also have a role to play in advocating for environmentally friendly practices. By making conscious purchasing decisions and shifting our behaviour we can and will make the impact that we want to see in the world.
As we celebrate this milestone, let us also renew our commitment to protecting the planet and eliminating plastic in the personal care industry.