Sustainable, Zero Waste, Plastic-Free Packaging:
What It Really Means
At Chagrin Valley, packaging is not a marketing trend — it’s a responsibility.
We are committed to healthy skin, healthy people, and a healthy planet, and that commitment extends to every box, bottle, tube, and tin that we choose.
We believe packaging should protect the product, respect the Earth, and help customers make informed, thoughtful choices.
That means looking beyond buzzwords and understanding the true environmental impact of every material we use.
We recognize that “zero waste” is an aspirational goal.
While perfection may not be possible, progress always is.
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly.
We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
— Anne-Marie Bonneau
What Sustainable Packaging Really Means
We work hard to make our packaging as plastic‑free as possible — but eliminating plastic is only one piece of the sustainability puzzle.
Sustainable packaging is not defined by a single material or a single claim. It is defined by the entire lifecycle of the packaging—from the resources used to create it, to how it is manufactured, transported, used, and ultimately what happens to it at the end of its life.
At its core, sustainability is about overall impact over time.
No packaging is perfect, and choosing the right packaging for personal care products requires careful balance. Our goal is to move as close to zero waste as possible—while still protecting the integrity of the products inside. Every choice we make reflects that balance.
How We Evaluate Packaging
When selecting packaging, we look at the full picture:
- Functionality — how well the packaging protects, preserves, and dispenses the product
- Raw materials — the environmental impact of the resources used
- Manufacturing footprint — energy use, processing, and overall production impact
- Weight & transportation — how packaging affects shipping emissions
- End‑of‑life reality — whether the material can be realistically reused, recycled, or composted
And that last point is key, because it ties directly into the idea of a circular economy.
What a Circular Economy Really Is
True zero waste can only exist within a circular system—one that mirrors how nature works.
In nature, nothing is wasted. Materials are continuously broken down and reused in new forms. A circular economy follows that same principle.
Materials stay in circulation for as long as possible through reuse, recycling, or composting. Instead of a “take‑make‑throw away” system, a circular economy keeps resources moving in a loop.
For packaging, this means choosing materials that can realistically re-enter that cycle—not just in theory, but in everyday practice.
A material may be labeled recyclable, but if it is rarely recycled in real life, it does not function as part of a true circular system.
Looking Beyond the Label
Some materials sound sustainable but have hidden impacts. Plant‑based packaging is a good example.
It often appears greener than petroleum‑based plastics, but if the crops require large amounts of water, fertilizer, land, or labor — especially land that could support food production or biodiversity — the overall impact becomes far more complicated.
This is why terms like “eco‑friendly,” “zero‑waste,” and “plastic‑free” can be misleading when used as marketing slogans. A natural‑looking material isn’t automatically sustainable. A recyclable material isn’t automatically recycled. And a “zero‑waste” label doesn’t guarantee ethical sourcing or responsible end‑of‑life options.
Our Approach
At Chagrin Valley, we believe that less is often better. We focus on minimal packaging and carefully chosen materials that are biodegradable, reusable, or realistically recyclable — materials that can participate in a circular economy, not just claim to.
Our commitment is simple:
Choose thoughtfully. Use less. Stay honest.
Packaging & Marketing: The Reality Behind the Aesthetic
Packaging is powerful. Studies show that more than 70% of consumers are influenced by packaging design when making a purchase. Many companies invest heavily in “pretty” packaging because it sells.
We believe packaging can be both beautiful and responsible — but we refuse to participate in greenwashing.
For example, those trendy “bamboo” or “wood” jar and bottle lids?
They’re usually thin veneers glued onto full plastic caps.
They contain more plastic, not less, and add unnecessary manufacturing steps and carbon footprint. They look natural but are anything but.
We choose simple, functional, sustainable packaging — not because it’s fashionable, but because it’s right. When a plastic component is the only functional option (like certain caps or sprayers), we choose the simplest, most recyclable version available.
We will always choose honesty over aesthetics and sustainability over trends.
Our Approach to Sustainable Packaging
Our environmental commitments apply not only to our products, but to how we package, ship, and operate our business. We prioritize:
- minimal packaging
- materials with low environmental impact
- sustainably sourced materials
- materials that can truly be recycled
That last point really matters. Although many materials claim to be recyclable, in real life, some are recycled far more successfully than others—and plastic is one of the clearest examples.
Plastic and Recycling: The Reality
Plastic is everywhere, and most of it never gets recycled. When people toss a plastic bottle or cup into the recycling bin, they assume that means the plastic is recycled – but sadly, that rarely happens due to cost, contamination, or the simple fact that many communities lack the infrastructure to process them.
The World Economic Forum reported that while 91.4% of cardboard was recycled in 2021, the amount of plastic actually turned into new things has decreased to around 5%. The rest is burned or ends up in our oceans, waterways, and landfills. Globally, the vast majority of plastic ever produced still exists in some form.
This is why we strive to be as plastic‑free as possible, both in product packaging and in our operations.
Shipping Packaging Materials
Shipping materials should protect your order — not create more waste. That’s why we approach shipping the same way we approach product packaging: reduce what we use, reuse whenever possible, and choose materials that can be responsibly recycled.
Check out the video to see the life cycle of a piece of paper, "Patty Paper" at Chagrin Valley (we no longer use plastic tape)
- We reuse before we buy. Office paper is shredded for cushioning, and any plastic packaging we receive from suppliers is reused in wholesale shipments rather than discarded.
- We choose paper over plastic. When extra protection is needed, we use FSC‑certified honeycomb kraft paper instead of bubble wrap.
- We use certified boxes. Most of our shipping boxes are USPS “Cradle to Cradle” certified or FSC/SFI certified.
- We seal with paper tape. Our biodegradable, water‑activated tape replaces traditional plastic packing tape entirely.
Every choice is intentional. Our shipping materials are designed to do their job well while keeping waste — and our environmental impact — as low as possible.
How We Choose Product Packaging
Choosing packaging for personal care products is never one‑size‑fits‑all.
Each formula has its own needs, and the packaging has to do real work — protect the product, preserve freshness, dispense it safely, and withstand the realities of shipping and daily use.
At the same time, it must align with our commitment to reducing waste and choosing materials that make sense for the planet.
In many cases, the product itself determines the packaging.
Oils, balms, powders, and butters each behave differently.
Some are sensitive to moisture, temperature, or light. Some need airtight seals, others need controlled dispensing, and all must arrive at your door in perfect condition.
Our job is to match each product with the simplest, most responsible packaging that still performs beautifully.
We start with the lightest, lowest‑impact option that will protect the product — and add complexity only when absolutely necessary. Sometimes that means paperboard. Sometimes it means aluminum or glass. And in a few cases, it means using small plastic components when no functional alternative exists.
What follows is how those decisions come to life in the materials we use every day — and why each one earns its place.
Kraft Paperboard & Cardboard
Paper and cardboard are the backbone of our packaging — not because they’re trendy, but because they genuinely work within real recycling systems. Unlike many materials that claim recyclability, paper products are actually recycled at high rates in the U.S., and they play a meaningful role in a functioning circular economy.
Paper is renewable, widely accepted in curbside programs, and easy for consumers to understand.
It offers the rare combination of practicality, sustainability, and true end‑of‑life responsibility.
All of our paper packaging materials are FSC® certified to support responsible forest management.
- Soap & Shampoo Bars are packaged in simple, recyclable cardboard boxes made from recycled paper that can go straight into your recycling bin.
- Body Powders, Dry Shampoos, Deodorant Sticks, and Lip Balm Tubes are packaged in kraft paperboard tubes made from 95% recycled paper with 80% post‑consumer content. The deodorant and lip balm tubes are lined with glassine, a smooth, biodegradable, grease‑resistant paper created through pressure, not plastic.
- Body Powders, Dry Shampoos, Deodorant Sticks, and Lip Balm Tubes are packaged in kraft paperboard tubes made from 95% recycled paper with 80% post‑consumer content. The deodorant and lip balm tubes are lined with glassine, a smooth, biodegradable, grease‑resistant paper created through pressure, not plastic.
- Shower Butter Bars are wrapped in natural paper-based glassine bags, placed in a recyclable paperboard box that can be tossed in your paper recycling bin.
- Bath, Hair & Face Teas are packed in resealable kraft pouches made from recycled paper with a food‑grade polypropylene liner to preserve freshness. While not recyclable, they are reusable — and we intentionally avoid heat‑sealing so they can be refilled and repurposed.
Gift packaging follows the same philosophy. We use natural fabrics and recyclable kraft boxes made with recycled content—materials that can be reused or easily recycled after the gift is opened.
Paper Recycling: A Simple System That Works Every Day
Paper-based packaging represents one of the most successful recycling systems we have.
In the United States, cardboard is recycled at remarkably high rates—often over 90%—which means most boxes are recovered and turned into new boxes again. It’s a clear example of a circular economy in action.
That same cycle extends to other paper materials. Recovered fibers are used to create a wide range of everyday products—from cereal boxes and gift packaging to paper towels, paper bags, tissues, and egg cartons.
In fact, about 80% of U.S. paper mills use recycled material in their manufacturing.
The process itself is straightforward. Paper is broken down into fibers, cleaned, and reformed into new products. These fibers can be reused multiple times—typically five to seven cycles—before they become too short to be recycled further, at which point they are often composted.
Because paper is one of the most commonly recycled materials, this system helps reduce the need for newly harvested wood and supports more responsible use of our forest resources.
Aluminum & Steel
We use tin-plated steel tins and aluminum containers for products like salves, lip balms, lotion bars, and select oils because they offer a thoughtful balance of function and sustainability.
These materials are lightweight, durable, and highly recyclable—making them a practical alternative to plastic for many of our products.
Why Aluminum Works
Aluminum is one of the most successful recycling stories in the world.
- It’s 100% recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing strength or quality.
- Recycling aluminum uses only about 5% of the energy required to produce new aluminum from raw materials.
- A recycled aluminum container can be back on store shelves in as little as 60 days.
- Because aluminum is so valuable, it’s actually sought after by recycling facilities — which means it’s far more likely to be recycled than most other materials.
- Aluminum accounts for only about 1% of the U.S. waste stream, thanks to its high recycling rate.
There is so much aluminum already in circulation that, if we recycled all of it, we would rarely need to mine more.
Why Steel Works
Tin‑plated steel (used in many of our tins and caps) is equally impressive.
- Recycling steel uses about 60% less energy than producing new steel.
- One recycled steel can save enough energy to power a light bulb for more than a day.
- Steel, like aluminum, can be recycled endlessly without degrading.
Because both materials can be melted down and re‑formed again and again, they fit beautifully into a circular economy — one where materials stay in use instead of becoming waste.
Why We Choose Metal Packaging
- It is durable and protective
- It is lightweight (reducing transportation emissions)
- It is endlessly recyclable
- It is widely accepted in recycling programs
- It is reusable in countless ways
We encourage customers to recycle or upcycle their tins and bottles. They make excellent containers for travel, craft supplies, hardware, soap slivers, and more. In our own homes, we reuse them constantly — and we love seeing how customers repurpose them too.
Every metal container that gets reused or recycled keeps valuable material in circulation and reduces the need for new resource extraction.
Glass Packaging
Glass is one of the most stable and trustworthy packaging materials we use. It protects delicate formulations, doesn’t react with ingredients, and preserves freshness beautifully — which is especially important for products like oils, scrubs, and whipped butters. But beyond performance, glass has another major advantage: it’s endlessly recyclable.
Unlike many materials that degrade each time they’re processed, glass can be recycled over and over again without losing quality.
A jar made today can become another jar tomorrow, and the next day, and the next — a true closed loop.
Why Glass Works
Glass is made from simple, natural materials: sand, soda ash, and limestone. When recycled glass (called cullet) is added to the mix, the environmental benefits multiply.
- Glass is 100% recyclable and can be remanufactured indefinitely with no loss in purity or strength.
- Using cullet reduces the need for raw materials, saving over a ton of natural resources for every ton of glass recycled.
- Energy use drops by about 2–3% for every 10% cullet added to a new batch of glass.
- Recycling six tons of glass prevents one ton of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
- According to Stanford University, recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 100‑watt bulb for four hours.
Because glass retains its quality forever, it also fits nicely into a circular economy — where materials stay in use instead of becoming waste.
Why We Choose Glass
We use glass for body, face, and hair oils, as well as sugar scrubs, deodorant creams, and whipped butters. These products are sensitive to temperature changes, and metals conduct heat and cold too quickly, which can affect texture and stability. Glass provides the protection these formulas need without relying on plastic.
The caps we use on many of our glass bottles are tin‑plated steel — another recyclable material — and for travel‑friendly options, we offer BPA‑free aluminum bottles when appropriate.
Glass is not without trade-offs. It is heavier than other materials, which increases transportation impact. But for certain products, its stability, safety, and reusability make it the best available option.
As with all of our packaging decisions, we aim to choose the material that offers the most thoughtful balance between performance and environmental responsibility.
Recycling & Reuse
Glass recycling works best when the material is clean and sorted. In areas where residents separate recyclables themselves, glass recycling rates can reach up to 90%, compared to around 40% in single‑stream systems. Checking your local guidelines helps ensure your glass actually gets recycled.
And before recycling, glass is incredibly easy to reuse. In our homes, jars become vases, pencil holders, craft containers, and storage for small workshop items. Customers often tell us they repurpose them for spices, bath salts, or travel‑size skincare.
Every reuse extends the life of the container — and every recycled jar keeps valuable material in circulation.
Where We Use Plastic
While we work hard to avoid plastic whenever possible, there are still a few places where plastic remains the most functional and reliable option.
Some components — especially small caps for essential oils, glass droppers, sprayers, and treatment pumps — simply don’t have metal alternatives that seal properly, dispense evenly, or prevent leaks.
In these cases, plastic isn’t a convenience; it’s a necessity to protect the product and ensure a good customer experience.
We’ve learned this firsthand. For years, we used “metal” sprayers and pumps because they looked more eco‑friendly.
But when we took them apart, we discovered that the metal exterior was just a shell — the inside contained even more plastic than a standard plastic sprayer. That was a wake‑up call. Instead of choosing packaging that only looks sustainable, we now choose the simplest, most recyclable plastic components available.
When plastic is unavoidable, we keep it minimal, functional, and honest — no veneers, no hidden layers, no greenwashing.
Our goal is always the same: use plastic only where it truly serves a purpose, and continue searching for better options as new materials and technologies emerge.
Bioplastics: A Closer Look
Bioplastics sound like an exciting solution — packaging made from plants instead of petroleum. On the surface, it feels like an easy win. But once you look beyond the label, the picture becomes much more complicated.
Bioplastics are made from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, or other crops.
While that sounds like a greener option, growing these crops comes with the same environmental challenges as large‑scale agriculture: heavy water use, fertilizer runoff, energy‑intensive processing, and land that could otherwise support food production or biodiversity. In some cases, the total footprint of producing bioplastics can be greater than that of producing traditional plastics.
And then there’s the end‑of‑life problem.
Many so-called “compostable” plastics only break down under specific conditions found in industrial composting facilities—facilities that are not widely available in many communities. If these materials are placed in a home compost system, they often do not break down as expected. If they are placed in recycling bins, they can contaminate the recycling stream. And if they end up in landfills, they may behave much like conventional plastics.
Even the term “bioplastic” is confusing. As Oceana explains, it’s an umbrella term that includes materials that may be biobased, biodegradable, compostable, or none of the above. A bioplastic can be plant‑based but not biodegradable, or biodegradable but not compostable, or compostable only under industrial conditions.
We’ve researched bioplastics extensively, and while the idea holds promise for the future, the infrastructure simply isn’t there today. A material that can’t be recycled, can’t be composted at home, and can’t be processed by most cities doesn’t solve the waste problem — it just shifts it.
Until bioplastics can be responsibly processed in real‑world systems, they aren’t the right choice for us.
The Heart of Our Packaging Philosophy
Our promise is simple: choose what works, use only what’s needed, and stay honest about the impact.
By focusing on materials that can be reused, recycled, or returned to the earth, we’re doing our part to keep resources in circulation and waste out of the environment — one thoughtful choice at a time.
🌱 Our approach to packaging is just one part of a larger commitment. Learn more about our Environmental Commitments.