Sustainability
Sustainability at Levee + Lowe™ starts at the core.
The personal care industry is one of the least regulated consumer categories which leaves companies open to using filler or even harmful ingredients in their products. Not only this, every year thousands of tonnes of microplastics wash down our drains into the environment due to the plastic packaging a lot of personal care products come in. Roughly 70% of the personal care industry's waste comes from packaging, which is why Levee + Lowe was created. To change the behaviours of consumers by making people move away from single-use plastic packaging and re-define their relationship with beauty and grooming products.
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is a subjective and broad term that encompasses a variety of factors, but to Levee + Lowe™ it means maintaining healthy environmental, social and economic systems that are productive and resilient long-term, locally and globally.
"We strive to meet the needs of the present day consumer without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."
Our vision in reducing single-use plastics and reducing product waste has enabled us to develop our Sustainability Goals Framework 2022-24.
Sustainability Goals
The United Nations has developed a framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals that set out the biggest economic, environmental and social challenges facing the world today. We looked at which goals would be most relevant to Levee + Lowe™ as a business and identified 10 goals that we believe we can have a positive impact with, see below.
1. Our Carbon Footprint
We use carbon neutral shipping options for our orders and offset some of the emissions of supplier deliveries by contributing to the Eco-Packaging Alliance which plants trees in areas in need of reforestation.
Goals: 12, 13, 14, 15 & 17.
2. Our Materials
Following a 'circular economy' model to waste management, we consciously choose packaging that is either compostable, recycled, reusable and/or biodegradable.Because we make our products in small batches, we ensure we don't create unnecessary waste. Sourcing botanical oils from environmentally conscious suppliers and opting for organic where necessary and possible.
Goals: 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 17
3. Community Participation - Culture + Education
Community is a deeply rooted value for Levee + Lowe™ which is why part proceeds go towards various charities, NGOs and community initiatives. Our blog is their to inspire, educate and inform, bring awareness to certain issues and topics, as well as highlighting sustainability in business.
Building a culture of inclusivity and transparency is a key feature in how we operate and communicate to our consumers, suppliers and other stakeholders.
Goals: 3, 4, 5, 8 & 17
4. Health, Safety and Well-being
Our employees are the heart and soul of Levee + Lowe™, we know the effort, the time and the passion everyone here puts in. That is why we are committed to building an environment that is rewarding, comfortable, stimulating, diverse and safe.
We aim to work with verified and reputable suppliers that follow a code of conduct that outlines the expectations around responsible environmental management and sustainable product development.
Goals: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 17
Carbon Footprint
Our goal, as a business is to be carbon neutral. We are currently in the process of becoming certified by certain Carbon Reduction organisations/institutes as a Carbon Neutral Business. We are consistently looking at ways to offset 100% of our emissions, as well as carbon credits from a range of projects.
Shipping
We ship all our orders with Australia Post, which provides carbon neutral delivery. We we FSC certified cardboard mailers, expandable kraft paper, and tissue paper. Orders are shipped with compostable mailers.
What's next:
We are currently in the process of becoming a member of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), which is a co-regulatory, not-for-profit organisation that partners with government and industry to reduce the harmful impact of packaging on the Australian environment.