Starting a zero waste business
Inspired by role models from the zero waste movement, in 2015 I started to consider what it would take to achieve a zero waste life and household. Although I have recycled and composted the vast majority of my waste for the past 10 years, I still produce waste destined for the landfill, and the majority of this waste is food packaging.
Since my effort to reduce waste in my home, I purchase most of my groceries from bulk bins and the produce section. I’ve also changed the way my family takes food on the go. I’ve made simple changes in the way we move through the world to reduce our footprint, inspired by the zero waste movement.
This includes using washable bulk bags, snack bags, and beeswax wrap. These three types of products help us reduce a huge portion of plastics and other destined-for-landfill materials from our everyday lives.
In making this shift, however, I found that many of the products for purchase would eventually end up in the landfill.
Reusable bulk bags with silk screen images, plastic tags, velcro, plastic buttons, polyester thread, or nylon lining (among others) – these will all eventually end up in the landfill.
I found a need for reusable, washable products that, after their usable life is up, could be recycled or composted without introducing chemicals or other pollutants into the soil. I decided to start making products that would leave no trace.
The manufacturing process also has the potential to create waste and contribute to pollution. No Trace’s manufacturing process includes using raw materials with minimal packaging, recycling any plastic packaging, and using fabric and paper scraps for handmade paper. No Trace products are handmade in Capitola, CA with zero waste and made with all natural, renewable materials.
Although No Trace isn’t 100% zero waste due to some packaging from suppliers, we are pretty dang close. Being a zero waste business is a goal we’ll continue to strive for.
Want to learn more about our zero waste efforts? Check out the About page here.