Carbon Negative -
Another World’s First From MiEssence!
MiEssence has finalized plans to become the world’s first certified organic skin care, personal care and nutritional products company to be carbon negative!
As the debate on climate change and carbon emissions continues, MiEssence believes that responsible companies shouldn’t stop at simply reducing their own carbon emissions - something MiEssence has been doing for years - but take action to move towards a carbon neutral world.
To accomplish this important work, MiEssence has extended their partnership with Greenfleet, a leading conservation organization in Australia that provides practical ways for people, businesses and organizations to prevent and minimize the greenhouse gases they produce. Greenfleet works to create forests in areas of environmental concern, putting back (where possible) the mix of native species that would have been present in the local area prior to land clearing, and now has in excess of 6 million trees growing to capture carbon on behalf of its supporters!
MIESSENCE GREEN SUPPORT INITIATIVE
MiEssence believes that what goes around comes around and one of their paths of giving back is their support of the David Suzuki Foundation, to help further their work in preserving our environment.
MiEssence chose the David Suzuki Foundation for two reasons. Firstly, they admire David himself as a responsible scientist in today's world community. And secondly, that since 1990 the David Suzuki Foundation has worked through scientific research and education, to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us. As people in business, they know that our economy is totally dependent on our ecology and not the reverse.
Just after David's final visit to Australia, he wrote in a letter to MiEssence"...you at ONEgroup have put your money where your words are. I thank you for your generosity...thanks for helping us carry on"
MiEssence understands the principle of 'no margin, no mission'. That is, they operate on a profit; otherwise they could not contribute in such a manner. To get a glimpse at the wonderful work of the David Suzuki Foundation, go to www.davidsuzuki.org
Miessence Environmental Statement
Our passion for organic products translates into a devotion to ethical and sustainable business practices that support the environment. We achieve this through an internal focus on eco-friendly business practices and by following innovative and ecological business ideas. We practice a genuine ‘cradle-to-grave’ approach to sustainable manufacturing and invite like-minded suppliers and partners to share in this work with us.
As the world’s first certified organic skin care, personal care and nutritional products company to achieve carbon negative status, it is our established policy to be committed to and responsible for the environmental legacy of our company. To achieve this goal we engage in the following activities:
• Consistently work to exceed regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Look for new ways to eliminate or minimise the effects of pollution on our world.
• Utilise raw materials, water and energy in the most efficient ways.
• Work with only certified organic and environmentally responsible suppliers and sub-contractors wherever practical in order to reduce our environmental impact.
• Regularly monitor and audit our environmental performance with third-party certifiers.
• Consistently work to reduce the environmental impact of our manufacturing and distribution processes where practicable.
• Have become a carbon negative company through the purchase of carbon credits exceeding our usage.
• Implemented a waste minimisation programme involving recycling strategies and providing segregation of wastes needing disposal.
• Continually train company personnel to implement environmental management techniques effectively.
• Take education seriously and regularly educate customers and alliance partners to promote the principles of sustainability wherever possible so that everyone can collectively make a positive difference in their health and the future of the environment.
Glass vs. Plastic
(Perception vs. Reality)
My journey of discovery. . .
(by Narelle Chenery, MiEssence Product Formulator)
"Like most of us, I have always assumed that glass was the better environmental choice for our product packaging. I assumed glass required less energy to manufacture and was less polluting than plastic, and that all plastics were toxic and leaching."
Read on. . .
Enviro-Friendly, Lightweight,
Leak Proof & Airless Packaging!
MiEssence certified organic products have begun shipping in the new, innovative airless packaging!
Here are just some of the features and benefits you can expect to receive:
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environmentally friendly - our new airless packaging requires far less energy and resources to produce and of course is 100% recyclable! You'll enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that your purchases are having a minimal environmental impact.
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leak proof - the robust airless package is much less susceptible to breakage and leakage - both in use and in transit. No more messy product clean-ups and time consuming returns.
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lightweight - both easier for you to carry and greener to ship. Because it weighs much less and doesn't require wasteful, protective packing - resources are saved and shipping costs are reduced.
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airless - the airless package dispenses ALL product from any position - even upside down! No product oxidation, dried product plugs, bacterial contamination and product wastage means no frustrated customers and fewer returns.
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non-leaching - contains no Bisphenol-A, no PVC plasticizers and no Phthalates. You're assured of receiving uncontaminated potency with each ingredient.
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Packaging pellets are made from corn and can be composted!
MiEssence chooses to be third party certified organic to the highest international standards. MiEssence is the first skin care product range on the planet to be submitted and comply with, the rigorous processing and labelling requirements for certified organic food products.
Read more...
In addition, it removes chemical exposure of consumers when using these products and of the environment when some of these products are washed down drains or disposed of after use.
Certified products not only promote organic farming, health and public awareness of environmental ethics, they also create a more sustainable supply chain. For a product to be organic, there are conditions from the grower all the way through transportation, processing and packaging, so that all stakeholders in this supply chain make a business of becoming more green.
All MiEssence suppliers must meet international organic standards. In the case of MiEssence, they are the processor and distributor of their products and continue to find ways to make all aspects of their business practices greener.
In promoting product integrity, MiEssence not only uses organic ingredients wherever it is available and possible, but also meets organic food standards. They continue to support this high standard at a time where other companies are just beginning to attempt this and are lobbying for changed and lower standards for non-food products such as skin care.
Freight & Manufacturing Pollution
A concern is the amount of greenhouse gases we emit as we deliver many products worldwide to our customers homes & retail outlets. As a company that has firmly put our principles into practice with our products, we decided during 2006 to engage the not-for-profit organisation Greenfleet to calculate our freight emissions and in turn provide the service of planting trees on our behalf, which would offset our impact on the environment. Science shows that 17 mixed native species of trees will help create a forest. As they grow whilst absorbing greenhouse gases, these trees will also help tackle salinity, improve water quality and provide habitat for native species.
The same CO2 pollution applies for our production facility. To counter this we now pay a premium and source wind-powered electricity through the grid. This is made possible through our local energy provider. By using electric forklifts and machinery run on compressors that all run off this green renewable energy, we can claim zero emissions from our manufacturing.
Office
MiEssence has achieved environmental Gold Certification through GreenBizCheck!
GreenBizCheck is a global technology-based environmental certification program for any company with an office. Office buildings and associated activities are responsible for nearly 35% of all carbon emissions. Their program helps companies to quickly implement sustainable environmental practices which save money, conserve energy, water, resources, and minimize waste.
The criteria is rigorous, like training to compete in the Olympics, and so worth it when you win! In this case winning their gold certification means others benefit too.
Here are just a few of the things that MiEssence has accomplished:
• 10% reduction in power – IT (software monitoring and hardware usage), lighting, printers and monitors. Simply put: if it’s not in use, it’s off.
• 50% reduction in paper usage by them and their suppliers combined. That’s 7 boxes - 38 reams - 19,000 sheets of paper- 2.3 trees per month - or over 25 trees a year!
• Staff and customer education - our staff asks our customers and shops if they recycle.
• In-house recycling program and a staff eco-suggestion page on company intranet.
• Recycled and unbleached paper only used for stationary.
• Unwanted mail collected and returned to sender, advising not to be sent ongoing.
• List on company intranet of subscription magazines to be shared.
• All fax cover sheets eliminated.
• 100% biodegradable plastic bags and bin liners used within company operations.
• Living plants in offices.
• Work from home program for applicable staff.
Packaging Integrity
MiEssence has for some time been researching the possibility of utilising bio-degradable plastics made from starches such as corn & potatoes. Since 2003, MiEssence has been using a product packaging filler made from these substances and are currently researching an alternative to petro-chemical plastic for their bottles & jars which would break down in landfills and therefore be part of the world's waste problem solutions. Various packaging and display solutions are emerging from this research & development and the possibility that suitable bottles and jars for all MiEssence products will be available in the coming years is very promising.
Greener Offices
While they have goals for a greener premises in the future, MiEssence currently offsets their plant and offices as well as events and promotional tours with tree planting to make their day to day business activity carbon negative.
Conscientious use of recycled materials and use of electricity are promoted and observed throughout their operations.
Uganda has endured the scourge of civil war and the deadly AIDS epidemic. Approximately 2 million children in Uganda have been orphaned by these calamities. Currently there are 880,000 Ugandan children living as orphans as a result of AIDS ...and Watoto Childcare Ministries is reaching out to help.
Watoto was created to provide holistic, residential care for orphaned and vulnerable children with the core vision to rescue a Child, raise a Leader and rebuild a Nation. MiEssence Executive Terri Rowe has helped facilitate a program to provide skills, medicine & pampering to women in war-torn Uganda. MiEssence donated a variety of MiEssence products to Watoto on their recent trip to pamper the house mothers of Watoto Orphan Villages. Narda Bradshaw from Watoto Child Care Ministries wrote the following letter to Terri:...
Dear Terri
Thank you for all of the products that your company graciously donated. My team of 19 ladies ministered to 3 different groups during our 2 weeks in Uganda. The first 60 were a small part of the Living Hope ministry in Kampala. These women are Hiv+ and are being sponsored by Australian women to help in the purchase of anti retroviral drugs. These women attend meetings every month to help build self esteem, morale, confidence and purpose in God's world. We spent 4 days sharing sewing skills of children's clothing and home furnishings and craft skills of card making and cross stitch and jewellery making. Our final day was a day of pampering. My team divided into 4 groups for pedicure manicure, facial and shoulder and back massage. The second group of 80 were also part of this ministry but located in Northern Uganda in Gulu; 95% of these women are returnees from the war with the LRA. They have seen and experienced so many atrocities but welcomed us to pamper them. We were amazed how they received our gesture of love and acceptance. Many may never have known physical touch in a loving and gentle way. It was a wonderful time not only for them but for my team also. All of us were truly blessed. The third group we pampered were the Watoto village mothers. We spread this over 2 days so we could bless all 210 mothers. These women truly play an amazing role each mothering up to 8 children. It was a privilege to pamper and encourage them and to esteem their womanhood. Overall, in four days we pampered 315 women. Thank you for your generous contribution. We were able to leave resources for their future use. Each of us were privileged to be hands of blessings. May God richly bless you.
Narda Bradshaw
Watoto Child Care Ministries (Australia) Change Your World Tour
changeyourworldtour@gmail.com
http://www.watoto.com/
