Pearl Powders puts it perfectly, "Every day we borrow resources from the planet" - so we have to give back. You guys, donate a fixed dollar amount of every PEARL sale to the Australian Marine Conservation Society - why is this so important for you to implement this in your company morals and inform your end-users about?
Our partnership with the Australian Marine Conservation Society was a crucial step in launching Pearl. I launched the business through need - when I couldn't find a product to my level of purity or efficacy, I created it.
Sustainability and social good have been at the forefront of all that we do. All ingredients are sustainably sourced and the most premium grade available from Australia and Norway, our packaging is glass, so therefore infinitely recyclable, our secondary packaging is made from recycled paper, and our partnership with the Australian Marine Conservation Society ensures we can give back to our plant and build a business that has a positive impact on our community and environment.
I think it is beyond powerful that you guys say "We value protecting the environment, over increased profit margins" - how are you trying to influence others to believe this and act on it? - Because if we all did this, the planet would be a different place.
Pearl is here to influence people about the supplements they take, what they are actually made of (beyond what they claim on the front label), and the importance of sourcing and traceability of those ingredients. Through our R&D, we uncovered how many supplements are made, and it is truly frightening. Our ingredients have 100% traceability to Australia and Norway, containing wild caught collagen from Norway, organic superfoods and adaptogens, and absolutely nothing else. All ingredients are sustainably farmed and free from fillers like maltodextrin (a sweetener from corn that is highly processed and used in many collagen supplements), flavourings (often used to mask preservatives) and sweeteners. Our motto is less but better. We want to empower consumers to know the ingredients in their supplements they are consuming, how they are manufactured and take control. If all brands followed these principles, the health of our community and planet would be vastly different. Unfortunately, many brands don't follow these methods as it would damage their profit margin, which is valued over community and environmental wellbeing.
Is there any advice you can provide to others or specific things you do every day that can empower others to reduce waste? Like using your jars for spices?
We are currently working on a series with one of our Naturopaths/Recipe Developers to reuse our jars - they are made in the Netherlands from recycled glass and are just so beautiful. The series will showcase how to reuse the jars for spices, smoothie cups, coffee cups etc. We will also be introducing refill options for our customers from bags that are 100% compostable and will start to break down after 24 months. Sustainability is truly at the forefront of all that we do.
Personally, how do you envision this world-changing? What do you think it takes for us to fight climate change and to make a difference in this world?
I believe it's the small things we do everyday that will have the greatest impact. We can no longer turn a blind eye to environmental issues, so we all need to educate ourselves as a collective to be better and do better. I am the first to admit I am far from perfect, but I really try to do my best to reduce my impact on the environment. Mindfully recycling, reusing where possible, shopping at local farmers markets, utilising bulk food stores for spices in refillable glass jars, walking where you can, reducing meat consumption and utilising compost bins are all small things we can do to make a change.
Lastly, be conscious of what you are putting in your mouth and on your skin! We vote with our dollar - invest in companies that are utilising sustainable methods, and not using over processed ingredients to increase their profit margins. Your health and the environment will thank you for it in the future.