Eco Efforts
As a small business owner I think about what Vim & Vigor is putting out into the world on the daily. I try to make everything as eco-friendly as possible, and if it can’t be, to make it in a way that it will last. The goal is no single-use waste at all.
Check out the breakdown by product below, and if you have any suggestions on making products even more eco-friendly, please let me know.
Notecards
Paper: The paper I love to use is uncoated FSC recycled paper from Mohawk, produced using 100% wind power in carbon-neutral production facilities. This paper is both recyclable & compostable. Learn more here.
Ink: The notecards are digitally printed using HP Indigo inks, which are both recyclable & compostable. HP holds many environmental certifications and works towards a circular economy. Learn more about all that here.
Envelopes: Each card comes partnered with a coordinating envelope. All envelopes are made with 100% recycled materials, and 80-100% post-consumer. The white envelopes are FSC-certified.
Clear Sleeves: These clear sleeves are made from plant-based materials that are commercially compostable. When composted, these bags will break down in about 15 weeks, opposed to traditional plastic sleeves which can take centuries.
Stickers
Sticker: Our stickers are all printed on vinyl, which makes them not-so-sustainable. This was a compromise I thought a long time about. Yes, paper stickers are an option, but they don’t hold up over time. Vinyl stickers are waterproof, scratch resistant, dishwasher-safe— they hold up is what I’m saying. The reason I was willing to compromise here, is because these aren’t stickers that kids are decorating their coloring books with. They're meant to decorate their water bottles, laptops, etc. They’re not meant to be as disposable as even the cards are.
I try to offset this by getting them produced in the states, avoiding overseas shipping, and ordering quantities that validate the shipping. If you have any suggestions on making more eco-friendly sticker options, please reach out!
Clear Sleeves: These clear sleeves are made from plant-based materials that are commercially compostable. When composted, these bags will break down in about 15 weeks, opposed to traditional plastic sleeves which can take centuries.
Recommendation: If you’d like to have any of these stickers, but want to minimize your waste creation here’s my recommendation. Use them as decor. I have tons of stickers I use to decorate my walls (I put a little bit of that blue sticky tack stuff instead of peeling the backing off). Put them on reusable water bottles, your phone, or laptop– on items that are also meant to last and not be replaced every day or month. I’ve also seen people make sticker albums, like photo albums. It’s like making your own small business coffee table book.
Notebooks
Cover & Paper: The notebooks are are made of a recycled kraft cover and uncoated paper pages. Once you're done with them you can recycle them, or compost them depending on the inks you use to write/draw inside. I wouldn't recommend composting sharpies or heavy paints, but most pens and pencil should be ok.
Stamped Design: The stamps I use to stamp the notebooks are made using natural red rubber, and the self-inking stamp bodies are made with up to 65% post-consumer recycled plastic. The ink I use is also safe for recycling and composting.
Belly Band: The belly band paper is uncoated FSC recycled paper from Mohawk, produced using 100% wind power in carbon-neutral production facilities. This paper is both recyclable & compostable. Learn more here. The sticker used to keep the belly band together is made of FSC recycled paper. It can even be thrown into the compost.
Clear Sleeves: These clear sleeves are made from plant-based materials that are commercially compostable. When composted, these bags will break down in about 15 weeks, opposed to traditional plastic sleeves which can take centuries.
Pins
Pin: The pins are made from acrylic, which is not recyclable or compostable, but like the stickers, these items are made to be long-lasting. Don’t throw them away. Use them as a pin, put them on your jacket or on a corkboard.
Backer Card: The backer cards are printed on uncoated FSC recycled paper from Mohawk, produced using 100% wind power in carbon-neutral production facilities. This paper is both recyclable & compostable. Learn more here.
Clear Sleeve: These clear sleeves are made from plant-based materials that are commercially compostable. When composted, these bags will break down in about 15 weeks, opposed to traditional plastic sleeves which can take centuries. I am in the process of moving toward biodegradable bags.
Recommendation: If you ever get to the point where you no longer want your pin, please don't trash it. Stick it in a cork board for decor, gift it out, oreven snap off the pin stick and glue it to a phone case. Lose the clasp? Do the earring trick and use a piece of an eraser ro replace it.
Packing & Shipping
Packing Slip/Invoice: Printed on 100% recycled paper, double-sided to avoid using staples
Tissue Paper I get the stuff that doesn’t have any fancy finishes so it can be composted. Hell, you could even cut it into smaller pieces and use it as blotting paper.
Kraft Packing Paper & Bubble Wrap: The kraft paper is always reused. I have so much on hand. When you're done with it you can use it for note scraps, packing fragile items, or kindling.
The bubble wrap is always always always second hand. (I have medication delivered monthly and unfortunately there’s more bubble wrap than medicine in every box). So much that honestly I don’t what to do with it all.
Boxes/Mailers: You should see how many boxes I have in my storage closet! I keep basically every box that’s a good size and in good enough condition to be reused.
For smaller orders I use rigid mailers that are made of 100% recycled materials, and are 100% recyclable.
Tape Right now I’m using regular packing tape, but as soon as I get through the rolls that I have I’m making the switch to paper tape. Yay!
