This post launches a new segment on our blog that will feature amazing, sustainable businesses and the eco-warriors behind them. Through this segment we strive to introduce you to new plastic-free alternatives and share new, attainable ways to reduce your plastic consumption and help the environment.
Do you have or know of a business that should be featured on our blog? Reach out to info@plasticfreeyyc.com to share recommendations or say hello!
Plastic-Free Company Spotlight: Splat and Co.
Splat and Co. makes 100% Canadian wool and 100% handmade dryer balls that are guaranteed for 1000 uses… or more! The balls come in sets of three as they work together, like a juggler, to allow the air to pass through the wet fabric and work more efficiently and effectively, cutting drying time (and cost) by about 30%! For a fresh scent just add 1-3 drops of any essential oil for a slow release over time.
Company Factsheet
Location: Calgary, AB
Who: Jamie and Mike
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- Tell us a little bit about yourself, your products and how Splat and Co. came about.
We are a husband and wife team of fibre artists who handcraft ecofriendly products from 100% Canadian wool. We started our company after the birth of our daughter, as a fun project to put our artistic talents together to create fun, practical items that were also good to the environment, as well as unisex accessories that were long-lasting for the whole family. - What is your biggest driver for being sustainable?
A major motivator of ours is to be, sort of, a model of Environmental Ideals. We want to encourage our consumers and competitors to modify both their general lifestyles and corporate manufacturing practices to be more eco-conscious. - How have you managed to embed sustainable thinking within your company?
We started off wanting to keep our raw materials as local as possible in order to support our local industries. Using natural fibres was also a very important aspect to our business and lifestyle. By using wool we are able to create items that are long lasting and eventually compostable. As we grew as a business, we really started to look at the environmental concerns over plastic use and have always striven to keep plastic out of our packaging etc. With the growth of our business and our growing concerns personally to live a more zero waste lifestyle, we chose last December to relocate closer to our supplier to cut down on shipping materials and the carbon footprint of shipping the fibre to us. We are now located within our ‘fibershed’ and want to work on promoting a local Alberta fibershed. - What are the biggest sustainability challenges you face personally and professionally?
We would love to be completely zero waste in both our professional and personal lives. We are very close but there are still some wasteful aspects that we continue to work towards changing.
For a fresh scent just add 1-3 drops of any essential oil for a slow release over time. - What is one thing you have done at your company to drive sustainability that other businesses could replicate as best practice?
Keeping our manufacturing and supplies local. Most companies that work with wool source their wool from either New Zealand or Australia. They then have it shipped to another country such as, China or Nepal, for manufacturing and then ship it to North America for distribution. The carbon footprint of that item is huge. By sourcing locally and manufacturing locally our carbon footprint is minimal. - What have you done outside of work to live a more sustainable life?
We try to buy as many raw groceries as possible (without plastic packaging) and make our items from scratch. We make our own bread,yogurt, salsa etc. - Which sustainable action or change you’ve made in your life are you most proud of?
Relocating our business into our fibershed.
The dryer balls act as a natural wrinkle and static cling fighter so no need for dryer sheets & fabric softener. - What is your “guilty” habit that just isn’t very sustainable? How do you plan to change it if you could?
The Car. Up until 6 years ago we lived without a car for twelve years commuting by bike, bus and walking. For the past six years we have had a car due to living in a community that made it difficult to commute without one. Now that we live in Calgary we plan to get back into biking and to work towards only using the car for things like getting to markets. - In one phrase, what does sustainability mean to you?
Ensuring a future for our daughter - Can you provide three top tips for others trying to lead more sustainable lives and reduce their waste?
Start with baby steps, by introducing changes slowly they will become habits and you will not get overwhelmed. Plan ahead, make sure you have the items you need to get thru the day such as a water bottle and reusable bag. Get rid of the TV, it will free up time for other things like cooking. - Share the love – Which businesses besides your wonderful company would you recommend to help people reduce their waste?
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