It goes away on Cold cream at the moment, and it's no wonder now when it's -17 in many places! It's absolutely fantastic in the cold and wind for young and old!
For over 17 years I have been searching for better, more sustainable packaging for Vossabia 🌱
I have considered – and checked samples of
– glass, metal, cardboard, recycled plastic, sugar beet, wood chips and other materials 🔎
Much has been out of date ❌
Something has been exciting ✨
Some have been better than others 💚
But I've never found a solution that has stood up to my entire assessment. Checked off all my criteria ✔️
The gold in popular hair serums is now available in glass bottles, but even bottles can be replaced with compostable material if the dream comes true.
But now something very special has happened🌍💚
Now I have been invited to meet with a company in England that has developed what I have dreamed of:
👉 nature-based, home compostable packaging!! 🌱♻️
They fully share our values – and have shown a rare enthusiasm for working with us 🤝✨
I almost don't dare say it out loud, but:
This might be the closest I've ever come to my dream🥹.
This might be the closest I've ever come to my dream🥹.
Chamomile balm in 50 ml jars from English Berry. Check out the lovely green color! Did you know that the clear and strong color of the product indicates that there are a lot of real, high-quality plant oils in the product? Here, it is organic chamomile oil and hemp oil that give the powerful green color. Chamomile balm is always at the top of the bestseller list, and for good reason: an incredible all-rounder I developed in 2004. I recommend reading reviews about this one!
Why is packaging so incredibly complicated? 🤯📦
“Why don’t you just switch to glass?” That’s a comment I’ve gotten a few times. But it’s definitely not that simple and straightforward.
Behind such a choice lie dozens of considerations that I am concerned with and that are rarely visible to consumers.
I would like to show you how I think – and why I never jump on a solution just because it seems environmentally friendly.
I have been clear and consistent to myself that Vossabia will not change packaging until I have found something that checks off the majority (and preferably all) criteria I have, and that I find packaging that is MUCH better than the one I have before. What am I considering then?
Body balm in a 100ml jar from England. Garnished with the plants that are in the Body Balm, picked right off the slopes here: red clover, yarrow and St. John's wort. It is light and slightly yellowish from organic cocoa butter, beeswax, thistle oil and a little chamomile oil.
What am I considering?
🌱 1. Raw materials – where does the packaging actually come from?
- Is the raw material renewable – and how is it harvested?
- Is it based on waste or new resources?
- Is access stable – also in the future?
- Can the material be recycled or safely returned to nature?
- What consequences does raw material extraction have for soil, forests, food production and ecosystems?
⚙️ 2. Production – what happens before the jar exists?
- What type of energy is used – renewable or fossil?
- How much water is used in production?
- What happens to wastewater and runoff – does it affect rivers and nature?
- Where does production take place – and under what environmental and working conditions?
- I consistently choose packaging made in Europe. I always have.
🚛 3. Transport – volume matters more than you think
- How large is the volume of the packaging – and how many pallets and containers does it require?
- What does this mean for the transport footprint?
- How long is the transport route to Norway?
- Can the packaging be transported efficiently without unnecessary air and waste?
🧴 4. Function & durability
- Is the packaging resistant to oils, beeswax, essential oils and herbal extracts?
- Does the quality of the product last for a long time?
- Is it approved for cosmetics in the EU?
- Does it work in cold, heat, sunlight, store shelves and humid bathrooms?
- Is it tight, robust and safe to use?
If the compostable packaging is fully implemented, it will also be possible to buy 500 ml of wild herbal shampoo After a while! Until then, we produce, fill and sell approximately 1600 bottles per week of our incredibly popular shampoo.
📦 5. Access & delivery security
- Is there enough packaging available – even when we grow?
- What is the order lead time and delivery reliability?
- Can the same packaging be in the range for many years to come?
🎨 6. Aesthetics & Integrity
- Is the packaging beautiful to look at and comfortable to hold?
- Does it reflect Vossabia's philosophy, concept and pioneering spirit?
- Can all products fit together in a harmonious series?
- That's why I've never mixed a little plastic, a little metal, a little glass, and a little cardboard.
- For me, integrity is a value in itself.
♻️ 7. Customer and employee experience – and the end of packaging life
- How does the packaging feel to use for consumers?
- Can it be easily broken in the bathroom?
- Can it be reused?
- How heavy is the packaging when it comes in boxes – in relation to employees, lifting and HSE.
- How easy is it to deliver for recycling, and what is the system for actual recycling?
- How many lives does the material have – and what happens in the end?
And certainly some more issues that I didn't think of in the rush here as I write...
Eye balm is currently produced and poured by Miriam in 15 ml Venus jars. The indispensable Eye Balm! Not a day goes by without it on the skin, either just around the eyes, or the entire face + neck! Sometimes I mix it with Chamomile Balm or Sea Buckthorn and Nettle. And all of these protect the skin really well in winter too. Have you seen Winter's Rescue Duo? Cold cream+Eye balmwith a 15% discount?
The dream that has lived in me all these years
My big dream has always been this:
Vossabia starts with living soil, taking care of soil life and practicing regenerative agriculture – and packaging that can ultimately become new soil is therefore the ultimate dream.
✨A nature-based, home compostable packaging.
✨A full circle.
✨One whole.
Unfortunately, technology hasn't come as quickly as I hoped. I've had to live with compromises.
But now… Now it actually looks like the dream is very close – for most of our packaging needs 🐝
Calendula Balm - the family's fantastic all-purpose, stands here hardening and being corked in a large 100 ml jar from the English packaging manufacturer Berry. This is recyclable plastic, light in weight, takes up little volume, maintains its cosmetic quality well, and is great to reuse for spices, children's beads or if you make your own things to give as gifts.
Do you want to join us in London?✈️🇬🇧
We will share daily glimpses, films and reflections from this process🎥💭
Greetings from Renate 💛Queen bee 🐝 in Vossabia