Special Feature
Big Changes
From the packaging we use , to how we ship our products , to protecting the land we use to grow our plants , we ’ re constantly evolving how we do business and how we support the environment in our processes .
Your Part
We ’ re doing our best to innovate and change , but we can ’ t do it alone . To continue our mission to help the environment and become eco-friendly , we need you to continue doing your part at home , where recycling is of huge importance .
Changes to our shipping boxes , using less plastic and localising production and shipping have helped us to make considerable progress towards a more sustainable business . Shipping boxes have been made smaller and are produced from sustainably forested materials . We are printing with 100 % bio-degradable ink and all of our materials are producing using PEFC or FSC paper . Most of our print suppliers are operating as energy neutral , by using their own solar installations and equipment that requires a minimal use of water . Any paper that remains after cutting , folding and finishing is also recycled by the supplier .
Additionally , sometimes it ’ s not what we ship , but what we don ’ t ship that counts . Since 2021 we have stopped shrinkwrapping our kits which has saved approx . 33,000 m 2 of plastic , enough to cover three football pitches !
By introducing production of some of our oils in Europe through our facility in Cork , Ireland , we have been able to shorten distribution time , helping to reduce our emissions through more localised shipping and production .
Innovating for the Future
As we create new products , we continually search for better ways to support natural resources . We ’ ve experimented with aluminium , compostable materials eg in our pouches and even glass , to cut down on single-use plastic . This shift in thinking will help dōTERRA protect the planet as we strive to evolve toward more eco-friendly product packaging .
On top of using less plastic and more replacements , dōTERRA is heavily focused on Post-Consumer Recycling ( PCR ). Have you ever worried that nothing will be done with the items you recycle ? Well , we ’ re doing something with them ! By using PCR , we divert materials from regular landfill and use them in the production of other commodities , giving them a new life in the form of dōTERRA packaging .
Our ongoing plans in Europe include :
• further improvements to shipping boxes .
• looking at strategic merchandise shopping to save on waste .
• researching possible collaborations with climate partners to give back to the planet .
• look at localising more production to Europe to reduce additional carbon emissions .
• focus on ‘ lean ’ production for our printed materials and packaging , helping to minimise waste . dōTERRA globally uses glass for our pure essential oil bottles because of its nonreactive nature , so you can help by recycling essential oil bottles when they ’ re empty . The good news is that recycling your bottles makes a big difference !
Glass is made with readily available , abundant materials and most glass is infinitely recyclable , which means it can be used repeatedly without loss of quality or purity . PCR glass comes from bottles and glassware typically found in people ’ s homes : dōTERRA essential oil bottles , glass water bottles , sauce jars and so on . Post-Industrial Recycled ( PIR ) glass comes from things like glass bottles rejected in the manufacturing process for imperfections .
Both types of recovered glass are used to create “ cullet ,” which lowers the melting temperature required to produce new glass . Using cullet saves energy , reduces emissions and reduces the amount of virgin raw materials needed to produce new glass containers .
The amber-coloured bottles filled with your favourite dōTERRA essential oils are made of 34 % PCR glass , 25 % PIR glass and 41 % raw material .
So , though it may take an extra step when sorting through your household waste , recycling is well worth the effort ! It ’ s important to always carefully check your local recycling guidelines to ensure they can be processed properly .
Reducing Our Footprint
Approximately 4 million units have been shipped across Europe so far from our Cork , Ireland manufacturing facility ; this is the equivalent of removing hundreds of pallets from air and ocean shipping .
In Europe we use pulp trays that are completely recyclable , replacing plastic tray inserts , for our Home Essentials Kit and our Daily Habits enrolment kits . We are looking to continue to develop our use of these pulp-based trays across other products .
dōTERRA Global continues to focus on developing the company ’ s ‘ green ’ credentials including replacing bubble wrap and air pillows with paper alternatives – this has helped to reduce company plastic waste by the equivalent of 8-million single use water bottles !
2022 EUROPE LIVING MAGAZINE
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