Sustainable is Good | Where design, lifestyle and packaging meet

Preserve Mail Back Packaging

Preserve recently debuted their new mail back retail packaging for their popular line of toothbrushes made from recycled #5 polypropylene plastic.

The packaging innovation serves as the in store retail packaging for the toothbrush and then a mailer for the consumer to send the toothbrush back to Preserve for recycling. 

Preserve is covering the return postage on the first 250,000 toothbrushes sold, after that consumers will need only to provide a stamp to send their toothbrush back for recycling.

The mail back packaging is also made from #5 polypropylene with polyethylene for the perfect combination of weight and durability. 

Leave it to Preserve to develop innovations like this new packaging.  The company has been a leader in making products from recycled materials and have been focused on increasing awareness for reusing materials in consumer products.

Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket Field Test Review

I am excited to offer a field test review of the Arc'teryx Beta SL jacket.  Those of you who've been readers of SISG for a while know I haven't been thrilled with Arc'teryx products of late.  

In late 1990s early 2000 their jackets were the pinnacle of quality all made in BC Canada with innovative functional styling.  Then I and others began to notice the quality start to change as production branched outside of Canada and the company changed hands several times.

I am pleased to say I've noticed a marked change in quality of Arc'teryx products especially with this season's jackets.  In fact their Beta SL jacket is one of my favorite pieces of outerwear, I carry it with me just about everywhere.

I've had the chance to try the Beta SL extensively over the last two months taking it out the field shooting photos, bird watching, hiking in Colombia, and for normal day to day use around town here in Rhode Island. 

The Beta SL is a simple no frills shell that weighs only 11oz.  Its styling is straightforward and the cut of the jacket is slightly generous allowing just enough room for layering if necessary.  In the Andes Mountains in northern Colombia last month I wore the Beta SL over a Patagonia nano puff pullover and the combination was ideal for the conditions.

This is a photo of me in the Andes near Tunja Colombia with the Beta SL 

The Beta SL has all the basic features you need for a waterproof breathable shell with adjustments at the waist, head, and cuffs.  The jacket uses seam tape in concert with its small sized zippers to cut down on weight while accommodating a full front zip and dual front zip pockets.  

The jacket is 100% nylon which has become recognized as an increasingly sustainable material choice and uses Gore-Tex Paclite membrane material.

I've been carrying the Beta SL in my work bag with me everyday since I got it.  It adds minimal weight and allows me to have a waterproof shell for any spring/summer rain that might pop up unexpectedly. 

The price of the Beta SL is $250 which is on the high end of its class.  Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia and REI all have jackets in the 11-13 oz range for less money.  I tried all of those jackets and hands down preferred the Arc'teryx.  The difference in materials, and fit where the single biggest deciding factors for me.  I'd rather have a quality jacket that will last for years than a jacket where the fit or materials aren't ideal and may only last a season or two.  

One way to pick up the Beta SL for less is to look for sales or coupons like if your an REI member watch for sales where you can pick up the BETA SL for around $200.

For use in the spring, summer and fall the Beta SL is going to travel pretty much everywhere with me and is the perfect compliment to my heavier weight Sasta shell.  

I've seen versions of the BETA SL made in China and Canada.  I currently have a Canadian made version in the color deep dusk. 

If you are looking for a shell where weight is a key factor in your buying decision I'd suggest taking a look at the Beta SL. 

Earthbound Farm Post Consumer Recycled PET Packaging Wins Award

Last year Earthbound Farm became the first national fresh cut-salad company to use 100% post consumer recycled PET plastic packaging.

A year later, America's largest grower of organic produce, Earthbound Farm, has won Silver in the Energy and Sustainability category of the 2010 Edison Best New Product Awards.  The award recognized the company for its new 100 percent post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PCR PET) plastic clamshell packaging. 

Earthbound Farm introduced its PCR PET packaging in July 2009. 100 percent PCR PET materials use significantly less energy and water to produce than virgin plastic and generates far fewer greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste.

According to Earthbound Farm compared to virgin plastic, their switch to 100 percent PCR PET for the clamshell salad packages will save 424,000 million BTUs and 68,307 gallons of water, as well as eliminate 16,191 tons of carbon dioxide and divert 1.3 million pounds of solid waste from landfills each year.

The company also notes the use of PCR PET creates a demand for recycled plastic: plastic that may have otherwise ended up in landfills.

Umbria Olii EcoLive Olive Oil Laundry Soap New Bio Film Packaging

Umbria Olii International's EcoLive laundry soap, made from 100 percent olive oil is now being sold in new compostable packaging.

The EcoLive laundry soap itself is unique compared to the laundry soap sold on most mainstream market shelves in the US.  We don't see many natural "bar" type laundry soap products here in the US.

The new packaging for EcoLive is made from biodegradable Bio-Flex film from FKuR.

Umbria Olii is a leading Italian producer of products made from olive oil.  The company makes cosmetic, food and household products from olive oil.

When asked why the company choose the new bio-packaging, Sergio Montano, President of Umbria Olii International said “The high content of renewable resources and the appealing glossy surface along with the certified biodegradability of the multilayer bio-film (supplied via Cartotecnica & Poligrafica Veneta) has convinced us."

We do not believe EcoLive olive oil laundry soap is available in the US market, however if we obtain additional information from the company we'll post here.