In our conversation today with Jacqueline Parker - an Elate Educator and Artist, we talked about our corrupt beauty industry, Elate Cosmetics and sustainability.
Just to give you an idea about sustainability (or rather their lack of sustainability) It is estimated that 120 billion units of packaging are produced every year by the global cosmetics industry, most of which are not recyclable. Scientists suggest that by 2050, about 12,000 metric tons of plastic waste will be in landfills or the natural environment.
These numbers are unfathomable aren't they?
Elate Cosmetics mission is too create a socially and environmentally aware clientele that comes together to unite and create change. Elate takes pride in creating sustainability as one of their main goals and in my opinion is knocking it out of the park! To date, 100% of Elate Cosmetics products are compostable or recyclable and about 75% are plastic free. (This is HUGE)
Now let's dive into some product detailing so you can truly get a glimpse into how incredible this company is.
Where is the bamboo sourced from?
Elate works closely with a green certified, fair trade manufacturer in China - where the bamboo is water processed and never chemically treated. As bamboo is more readily available within Asia, Elate believes it is more climate-friendly (or sustainable) to have products assembled where it is harvested, and then shipped to them. The bamboo supplier were carefully selected based on their FSC Certification. The Forest Stewardship Council Certification is a rigorous process, which includes an individual assessment and yearly audits. To learn more about The Forest Stewardship Council Certification click here.
What are the pencil caps made from?
The sustainable bio cap is produced with material that derives 55% from a renewable source (Biomass of American no-GMO corn). The remaining 45% is made of a fossil origin. This characteristic drastically reduces CO2 emissions during the creation and processing of the material, reducing the environmental impact.
Disposal: If your area has industrial compost, you can compost the cap. If not, you can dispose of the cap in your household garbage. Unfortunately here in PEI we do not have industrial compost so this item has to be disposed of in our household garbage.
Where does the wood from the pencils come from?
The wood from Elates pencils are Californian cedar wood certified PEFC (Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification). PEFC certified wood guarantees sustainable forest management.
How do know when a forest is managed sustainably when?
The quantity of cut timber is never greater than the quantity that grows in the forest; After cutting, the trees will be replanted or will be helped to renew themselves naturally; Habitats for plants and wild animals are protected and all those protective functions that the forest normally carries out with respect to the climate, soil and water. For more information please visit here.
One of the many reasons Urban Daisy loves Elate Cosmetics is not only because of its mission to produce sustainable cosmetic packaging but its mission to produce safe, ethically sourced product ingredients.
Elate produces about 90% organic ingredients but if Elate is unable to have both they will choose fair trade over organic. The importance of morals and ethics that Elates continues to promote as a brand is both important to me as a business owner but also too every person involved in the making of Elate cosmetics. Let's take a deeper dive and explore Elate's products ingredients so you can get a greater glimpse into how incredible this company is even MORE.
MICA;
A little reference if you are unfamiliar with Mica:
The term mica includes 37 phyllosilicate minerals that occur in a layered or plate-like structure. The most commercially important variants of mica are muscovite and phlogopite. In other words it is a rock mineral.
Mica is used because it has a wide range of applications in many different industries due to its diverse optical, functional and both electrical and thermal insulation properties. In cosmetics mica is often used to give a product a shimmery look ie: highlighter/ shimmer eyeshadows.
Why is mica a problematic ingredient?
Mica is a problematically sourced ingredient because it is prone to labour abuse and child labour. In India, mica is sourced in a number of states including principally Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Rajasthan*. However, the region prone to labor abuses and the use of child labor in particular is the so-called “mica belt” that straddles the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Where is the Mica sourced?
The mica used in Elate products is fair trade, and sourced from suppliers who are active members of the Responsible Mica Initiative. "RMI’s holistic approach was needed in order to tackle the underlying conditions that lead to child labor and poor working conditions. Our three program pillars – Community Empowerment, Mapping and Workplace Standards and Legal Frameworks – work together to create a foundation for a responsible and sustainable mica supply chain." - Fanny Frémont, Executive Director
PALM OIL;
As I'm sure many of you already know by now, palm oil is a HUGE problem in today's world. You may commonly know that its a problem in food but did you know it was a problem for cosmetics as well? The palm oil industry is notorious for wiping out rainforests, displacing indigenous people, spewing carbon into the atmosphere and driving the orangutang and other species towards extinction.
Is Elate palm oil free?
We use a vegan-based carnauba wax that is derived for the leaves of the Copernicia prunifera tree. Different from the palm grown and harvested in South East Asia, this powder is extracted from the leaves of the tree and does not require the tree to be brought down. Some ingredients, such as Stearic Acid, are also palm based and are supplied by RSPO certified suppliers who are regularly audited. You can learn more about the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil here.
Are Elate's Products Cruelty-free?
Yes,All Elate products are 100% cruelty-free. Elate is certified by Leaping Bunny and Beauty Without Bunnies by PETA.
Are Elate's products vegan?
Yes, all of Elates products are 100% vegan!
Are you loves excited about this brand like I am? How amazing is it that Elate has all this information readily available at our fingertips, for our viewing, for our education. If this doesn't excite you, how about all of Elates Ethical marketing to top it off?
Elate's Certifications
B Corp - Elate is officially a B-Corporation, meaning that they put people and the planet before profits. Always.
Leaping Bunny - Founded in the 1990’s, the Leaping Bunny certification audits every step of a company’s process to ensure that the products they produce are truly 100% cruelty-free.
Beauty Without Bunnies - Created by PETA, this searchable online data helps users discover cruelty-free options for everything from sunscreen to dish soap.
We have signed the “Just Beautiful Pledge”
Think Dirty App - You can find Elate products on the Think Dirty® app, which is used to educate users on potential toxins in household, personal care and beauty products.
Can I get a heck ya?
Thank you so much for tuning in, until next time my loves,
Jacq xx
