DO THE DRASTIC, REDUCE THE PLASTIC
The year is 2015. Kloster Kitchen is in its infancy, but: The product is ready. The content, at least. But then the question arose, what's the best way to package our delicious ginger shots?
The discussion begins: plastic vs. glass!
LIFE IN PLASTIC, IT'S FANTASTIC...?
First, let's take a look at plastic. Its practically non-existent weight is a real plus when it comes to drinks. But what speaks against the lightweight bottle?
Resource Consumption:
Its production requires fossil fuels and other resources. This contributes to the depletion of natural resources and to environmental impacts through the extraction and processing of these materials.
Digression: What exactly is microplastic?
Microplastics are ultimately just small plastic particles. They are formed by the breakdown of larger plastic pieces or are used in products such as scrubs, cleaning agents, and textiles. Microplastics can enter water bodies and thus the food chain, which potentially has negative effects on animals and humans.
Chemical Pollution:
Plastic can release chemical substances that enter the environment and can be harmful. This not only affects the environment but can also impair the health of living beings.
Durability:
Plastic takes a very long time to decompose. Some types of plastic can take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose. This means that once produced, plastic remains in the environment for a long time.
Environmental Impact:
Plastic waste is a significant source of environmental pollution. It can end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans and affect marine ecosystems. Animals can eat plastic pieces and injure themselves or even die.
GLASS IS GREAT
The old monastery recipe also played a role in the decision. The first bottle we found at a farmer's market was also glass. Other points also speak for the material:
- Production of glass bottles requires fewer raw materials
- No microplastics
- Glass is 100% recyclable
- Glass does not affect the taste
- Glass is heat resistant
So the decision is made: Kloster Kitchen Ginger Shots are available in the elegant glass bottle!
TOWARDS PLASTIC-FREE... AND MUCH FURTHER
But then we realized that this was not enough for us. Just because our products are plastic-free doesn't mean we don't think there's too much plastic in the world. Especially in the oceans. So we started looking for a way to fight plastic. That's how we came across CleanHub.
CleanHub is an organization that collects plastic in coastal regions so that it cannot reach the sea. The recyclable portion of collected waste is sold, recycled, and the proceeds from sales are made available to social projects. Two birds with one stone, so to speak - plastic does not enter the sea, and social projects are supported.
Convinced by the idea, we have been a member of CleanHub since August 2022. Since then, we have collected an incredible 1,255 kg of plastic (as of Nov 2023)! By August 2024, we aim to break the 2,000 kg mark and thus continue to protect the oceans.
Did you know ...
Clothing causes 35 percent of ocean pollution.
On average, a household flushes about a plastic bag full of microplastics into the wastewater per week - when washing. A large part of our clothing is made of polyester, and that is nothing other than plastic.
What you can do:
If possible, buy clothes made of natural materials such as (organic) cotton and wash them as rarely as possible. If the clothes are not dirty, it is often enough to air them out. There are also microplastic filters for washing machines - mandatory in France from 2025, by the way.
