Earth Day is (appropriately) quite close to Belle Terre's one year anniversary, so this is an exciting time for us. We frequently take an inventory of what we've done to ensure we are environmentally conscious and this is a great time to focus on that a bit more.
Personally we are trying to transition to a life that allows us to live closer to the earth, in a much smaller home, and to grow our own food. We are expanding our apiary, working on plans for our home, and we're developing our land to provide fruit and veggies for us.
From a business perspective, we started Belle Terre with the promise to ourselves that we would create a product that would be as eco-friendly as possible and we've held to that. Our packaging is minimal and typically recycled, we use recycled shipping envelopes whenever possible, and we research our suppliers in order to choose only sustainable ingredients.
We recently asked ourselves how our packaging could be more sustainable and the answer was basically not to have any. Sounds crazy? It might be slightly nuts, but others are doing it and we think it works. So, meet our new line of Naked Soap:
The bars are round (woohoo!) and are currently offered in three options:
- Simply Shea - our basic soap recipe with added shea butter
- Charcoal Shea - our basic soap with charcoal and shea butter
- Tea Tree - our basic soap recipe with tea tree oil
The Simply Shea & Charcoal Shea soaps have no added essential oils so they are perfect for sensitive skin. Tea Tree oil is known for its antibacterial properties. All three are just soap. Pure and Simple. These new options are available now on our Etsy site.
The giveaway: What are you doing personally or professionally to increase your commitment to the environment? One commenter will receive a free three pack of our new Naked Soap! The winner will be chosen Wednesday April 27th.
tallulah
April 21, 2011
Professionally, I use as many organic herbs from my garden during the warm months for my soaps. When packaging up my soaps for shipment, I use recycled materials for packing.
I also try to do my part by being involved with our small community organic farm and egg collecting from chickens as well as canning all of our produce during the late summer months. It’s so much fun!
SP
April 21, 2011
We are feeling good this year about joining an organic CSA and also that we are able to compost our sawdust using red worms. YEAH!!
Lori Morse
April 21, 2011
Love your soaps – was lucky enough to get one as a gift at xmas! Personally, my family are working together to cut back on buying items with excess packaging, we always use reusable bags, try to buy local as much as possible, including produce via a CSA and also handmade local gifts etc. I buy most of my clothes and my children’s clothes second-hand as opposed to new. Professionally, I use mostly vintage and upcycled/repurposed items in my jewelry design. I also package my wares in repurposed boxes/packing envelopes. I like the challenge of trying to eliminate waste and encourage recycling and reuse in as many facets of my life as possible. :)
Tara C
April 20, 2011
Great Giveaway- your soap is really lovely!
We have a small organic garden where we grow many of our families veggies. We also try and shop local as much as possible.
domestic diva
April 20, 2011
We avoid plastics and packaging whenever possible, instead we choose natural materials and bulk purchasing.