Inspired by my participation in the Route to Sustainability Day in Carlisle, MA, I've compiled some of my key tips and information about becoming a sustainable baking business. Not only do I cover sustainable business practices and product packaging, I also share some tips on a more sustainable home and kitchen.
Building Better Businesses
Whether you own a business, plan to, or not, understanding the impact businesses have on our environment can help you make more informed choices as a consumer, and in your career and entrepreneurial ventures.
Improving our Impact through Business Structure
Democracy in the Workplace and its Impact
Worker-owned and democratic business structures are already known to support workers, drive innovation, and increase productivity. Now, it is clear that these types of business models drive environmental sustainability. It turns out, when employees have more stake in the company and influence on the business practices, they consider environmental impact more than high level decision makers who are held to shareholder demands for profit.
The Potential in Purchase Collectives
Group Buying, or Collective Buying businesses are structures that allow small and medium sized businesses to collectively purchase bulk supplies. This lowers costs, and greatly reduces impact on the environment by reducing emissions and packaging. I strive to create or join a local effort towards group buying, so if you are interested in working with me on this, please contact me!
Supporting Businesses with Sustainable Values
Business Certifications to Look For
Keep an eye out for sustainable certifications like the ones listed here.
Some Suppliers I Recommend
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Eco Enclose - inner and outer packaging, office and shipping supplies
- innovative plant-based materials
- zero-waste sticker and thermal label backings
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Bob's Red Mill - bulk dry ingredients
- Worker-Owned
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Enjoy Life - allergen-free ingredients
- allergen focused and vegan options
- sustainable sourcing and avoids deforestation
Systemic Change
I cannot write a blog post on sustainability without acknowledging the industry practices behind the bulk of climate injustice. Without systemic change, we cannot sustain life on this planet continuing as we are. This feels like too big of a problem for any one person to do anything about, so we ignore this face of environmental sustainability in favor of individual actions. However, with collaboration on a small, local scale, we can drive the change necessary to continue doing business while keeping Earth habitable.
B2B Collaborations
In business, we often hear about competition, and how to use our competitors to elevate our own sales. However, the existence of similar businesses provides an even more lucrative opportunity: collaboration.
Make Change in Community
From legislative action to local mutual aid initiatives, communities have supported environmentally sustainable change by working together towards a common goal.
Low Waste Life
Waste-Reducing Swaps
All around the home, we can alter our routines to reduce waste. This is best done incrementally because it can be discouraging when we make a lot of swaps at once, and realize that some swaps take more work or aren't a good fit.
Everyday products
Single use, disposable products like toilet paper, paper towels, coffee filters, water filters, flossers, etc. have a compiling impact that we tend to overlook. In the bathroom, I opt for a bidet, and use eco-friendly options like bar soap and shampoo, toothpaste tabs, recycled toilet paper, cloth towels and rags,
In the Kitchen
Avoiding food waste in our cooking is a great way to save money, and this TikTok series is a helpful place to start. Besides reducing food waste, some of my favorite zero waste kitchen items include silicon baking mats, reusable paper towels, solid dish soap, and swedish dish cloths. This shop has a great selection.
The Impact of our Foods
Similar to swapping out wasteful products and routines, we can incrementally change what we are eating to opt for foods with lower environmental impact, and less waste. This also provides a significant improvement to our health. In my cookie business, I strive for more plant-based ingredients because plant-based diets are the gold standard for our environment.
Unconventional Re-use
Free resources are all around us, we just need to learn how to spot them. For example, most products we purchase come in a package that can be re-used or upcycled. Bags, jars, containers, cloth, and paper can all be re-used in our homes, and can save us some cash. Most takeout containers are dishwasher safe. Plastic and paper scraps can be used as unique craft supplies. Get creative! Look to the internet for inspiration, for example, this article.
Recycling and Composting
To be an effective recycler, we must be familiar with our local recycling rules. If our recycling is contaminated, it may not get recycled. Most local recycling programs do not accept thin film plastics, and in general, recycling needs to be clean and dry. Search your municipality online to find local rules. Some recycling is better than none.
Composting at home is easier than you think! There are composting systems that don't require outdoor space, such as this one. If you have any space outdoors, you can start a composting bin. This article lists several of my favorite at-home DIY compost methods. Also, search online to see if industrial compost pickup is available in your area.
Considering the Lifecycle of our Purchases
When making everyday purchases, wasteful products can unfortunately be the most common and accessible, and slip our mind when working to make more eco-friendly choices. Each time we buy something, we can ask ourselves questions about the product to help determine if there is a better choice:
- What processes went into creating this?
- How was the product packaged, and how was the packaging produced?
- What will I do with the empty packaging once the product is used up?
- Is this item single use or disposable? Does it need to be?
- Is this product diluted with water? Can I buy a concentrated form instead?
To help inspire this mindset, here is a list of great eco-friendly swaps around the house that create less waste, and even help reduce costs over time.
Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Finding a sustainable solution for food packaging is a multi-faceted problem. My packaging has to fit several needs: food safety, oil and water resistance, adequate seal, and labeling that meets local, state, and FDA standards. I also wanted to prioritize sustainability, so I must think of the entire life cycle of each packaging product. This includes the energy and resources that go into making it, sending it to me, and what happens to it after it has fulfilled its need as a cookie package.
Paper Products
Paper or plastic? This debate doesn't have to be so black and white. To avoid deforestation, we must seek recycled paper products, and paper made with resources besides wood (such as hemp). However, for applications like cookie packaging, paper products must be coated to be oil and water resistant (deeming them non-recyclable), and they don't provide an airtight seal like composite products and polymer-based bags. Some polymer based bags are made to be compostable, recyclable, or both, and can be made with a large percentage of plant-based cellulose.
Cutting Edge Innovations
I am currently testing these new Sway Polybags. They are home compostable, and are made with seaweed. This upgrade would allow my customers to compost their cookie packaging at home, and supports further innovations towards replacing
Thank you for reading! If you have any sustainable suggestions, please feel free to drop them in my virtual suggestion box.