ESMB's Pledge to Sustainability: Part 1 — Packaging & Labels

I consider myself a fairly planet-based person: I buy organic wherever I can, I am mindful of what packaging I buy at the grocery store, I save perfectly good water that goes down the drain, I shop at second-hand stores, I reuse, reduce, recycle, etc. This is such an important value of mine in my personal life, it would naturally spill over into the core values of Earth Star Minerals & Botanicals. To be quite honest, I know I could do better. We all could do better.

At the beginning of 2026, I made my yearly business goal to be more planet-based. My first step was taking a deep dive into what packaging I was using. While I felt pretty good about what I was packaging my products in, I wanted to improve it.

Labels Designed for Return to the Earth

Our labels are made from plant-based, tree-free materials, commonly derived from renewable sources such as sugarcane fiber. This offers a lower-impact alternative to traditional wood-pulp paper and reduces reliance on forest-based materials.

All of ESMB's product labels are fully compostable, including the adhesive layer, meaning they are designed to break down under appropriate composting conditions rather than persist as long-term waste. They are produced to meet recognized compostability standards such as ASTM D6400 and EN 13432, with materials selected to align with third-party verified compostable practices where applicable.

Unlike conventional labels that often rely on petroleum-based plastics or synthetic adhesives, these materials are intentionally chosen to support cleaner end-of-life pathways—returning to the Earth rather than accumulating in landfill systems.

In practice, this means the label on your product is not designed to outlast its purpose. It is designed to complete its role and then gently return to the cycle it came from.

Thoughtful Shipping & Protective Materials

The care does not stop at the product itself—it extends to how it is shipped.

Orders are packaged using recyclable cardboard boxes chosen for their durability and minimal environmental impact. Inside, we use recyclable paper-based protective materials such as kraft crinkle paper to cushion and protect items during transit while keeping packaging materials plastic-free whenever possible.

We also prioritize reuse as part of our packaging philosophy. Whenever appropriate, we reuse incoming materials such as bubble wrap or protective bags that arrive with our own supply shipments. This helps extend the life of materials that would otherwise be discarded, reducing unnecessary waste while still ensuring products arrive safely and securely.

Packaging in Transition

I fully admit to being a victim of "greenwashing." I was led to believe that the bags I previously used for many of my products were recyclable. I looked deeply into every material used for these bags, only to find they were 100% landfill material.

ESMB is currently in an active transition toward lower-waste and more circular packaging systems. We are temporarily moving toward compostable bag solutions, made from certified compostable materials designed to reduce landfill impact and support responsible breakdown at end of life. These materials are typically derived from plant-based components such as cellulose and bio-resins. As with the labels, these materials meet recognized compostability standards such as ASTM D6400 and EN 13432, with third-party verification (including BPI certification where applicable).

These materials are designed to break down in proper composting environments rather than persist as conventional plastic waste. Due to these new bags needing commercial composting, if you are unable to find a suitable composting facility on your own, we will gladly take the bags back and get them to where they need to be.

In the coming weeks to months, we will continue this transition by moving further toward glass jars as our primary long-term packaging for many products. This shift supports reusability, durability, and a more circular material system.

Landfill -> Commercially compostable -> Recycable/Reusable

Return, Reuse & Circular Glass Program

To further support circularity, we offer a glass container return program.

Customers are invited to return any clean, empty glass jars (labels on is okay) originally purchased from Earth Star Minerals & Botanicals. In appreciation, you will receive $1 off your next purchase or product refill.

This program is designed to keep materials in circulation for as long as possible, reduce single-use waste, and honor the shared responsibility of tending to what we bring into our homes. Each returned jar becomes part of a continued cycle of reuse rather than disposal.

This is only the beginning of our sustainability practices. Part 1 focuses on packaging and labels—but every aspect of Earth Star Minerals & Botanicals continues to evolve with the same guiding intention: reduce harm, extend usefulness, and stay in relationship with the Earth. 

If You Feel Inspired...

If you are looking for ways to become more planet-based, I highly recommend you check out the non-profit organization Living With Harmony. It is organized by Andrea Rose and JP, and they are based in Boulder, CO. Together, they are a powerful voice, working hard for a kinder, healthier planet Earth. Andrea is a dear friend of mine and has truly opened my eyes to the dark side of consumerism and waste. She is an inspiration.