Our responsibility - a sustainable tea supplier
Fair trade
Fair trade is a strong part of our purchasing philosophy and a commitment we have made to the way we do business. Our trade is defined by our personal relationship with the producers we buy from.
Our commitment to fair trade means we actively seek to ensure that producers receive a fair price for their work and that their working conditions are humane and safe. Through direct and personal relationships with tea producers and sellers, we can verify that the production processes meet high standards of both quality and ethics. Fair trade is about transparency and traceability.
Our direct contact allows us to verify how the tea is produced and the surrounding conditions. Fair trade is important for a long-term collaboration between us and the farm owners.
Sustainability
We pride ourselves on setting ourselves apart from other players in the industry through our eco-friendly practices. Our focus on sustainability begins with how we import and package our tea products.
Unlike many others who import pre-packaged products, often filled with unnecessary air and volume, we import our raw materials in bulk. This means that we receive large chests of loose tea, which significantly reduces the shipping volume and therefore the carbon footprint associated with transportation. By reducing the amount of air transported, we contribute to lower CO2 emissions and a more efficient use of resources.
When the tea arrives at our factory in Oslo, we package it ourselves. This gives us full control over the packaging process and the ability to use the most sustainable materials available. An example of our innovation is the introduction of pyramid bags made from cornstarch, which we were an early adopter in Norway. These bags are an environmentally friendly alternative to the oil-based nylon bags often used by other manufacturers. Cornstarch is a renewable resource, and the bags are biodegradable, which reduces waste and environmental impact.
We are constantly working to find new and better solutions for our packaging. Our goal is to replace plastic packaging with cardboard and other 100% renewable materials by 2025. This requires extensive research and testing to ensure that the new materials meet our strict requirements for quality and durability. To preserve the tea for up to two years without deteriorating quality, the packaging must be completely air and light-tight. This is a challenge we are working hard to solve in a sustainable way.
Ecology
An organic product is produced in a way that takes the environment into account by not using chemical and synthetic pesticides. It's good for the planet, but also for the tea, the farmer and you.
We are proud to only offer organic products.
Organic farming is based on farming systems that mimic natural ecosystems. The few exceptions in our range that are not certified organic are still produced organically, but the farm we buy from is so small that certification is not profitable. They use natural means of pest control, such as large fans, frogs, bats, and plants with natural insect repellent properties. They use traditional, proven methods of treatment and their products are free from harmful artificial fertilizers and toxic pesticides.
By offering organic teas, we support healthy and long-term tea production.
Green Dot
We are a proud member of Grønt Punkt. By paying them a fee for our packaging, including plastic foil, we contribute to financing the return schemes for the following types of packaging: glass, plastic, metal, cardboard, beverage cartons and corrugated cardboard.
Packaging
To minimize the use of packaging, we currently offer our teas in many different packaging. Sometimes the customer needs the tea individually wrapped, while other times it can be stored in a container and we therefore also offer it in "bulk". We choose packaging that is best for the environment, but also for the tea. To preserve the quality, we need packaging that keeps the tea completely sealed from air and light for up to 2 years. Currently, only plastic packaging can preserve the tea well enough. The alternative is that the tea deteriorates and then food waste increases. Much of our time is spent finding new solutions for our packaging and we are constantly looking for new opportunities. When we introduced our new pyramid bags, we spent almost a year finding the most environmentally friendly packaging that was also functional enough for tea. Our goal is to be able to switch from plastic to cardboard and other sustainable and 100% renewable packaging by 2025.
Mailings
We use over 8 different sizes of our postal packaging so that we always ship items with as little air as possible. We also take the time to cut the boxes down to their original size rather than filling them with air cushions or other excess material. That's why the boxes can sometimes look a little odd in shape when you receive them!
Our postal packaging is marked with FSC symbol - Forest Stewardship Council . It is an international organization that works for the labeling of products that come from sustainable forestry. FSC is based on cooperation between different interests - economic (forest owners and forest companies), environmental (environmental organizations) and social (local populations, indigenous peoples, employees). The certification ensures that the forest is grown and managed in a responsible way that promotes biodiversity.
Food waste
Our products have a long shelf life, usually 2 years, but they are exposed to air, moisture and light. We use packaging that preserves the shelf life of the products. We also aim to sign the "Industry Agreement on Reduced Food Waste".As we have a limited number of products that have a high turnover rate, it gives us good overview and control over our own inventory. This means that we do not buy more than we know we can sell and thus never throw anything away.