Our goal is to continually improve our product's ingredients and the footprint they leave on the planet. We've recently switched our kitchen balms from cardstock manual push up containers to twist up wheat straw plant plastic refillable containers. When deciding to make this switch the factors we considered were more than a few. 

• Reduced Environmental Impact: Wheat straw containers are made from agricultural by-products, specifically the stalks left over after the wheat grain has been harvested. By using this waste material, you contribute to reducing agricultural waste and promote a more circular economy. Refillable products reduce packaging waste, as you're not constantly throwing away the entire product container. This helps in lowering the overall carbon footprint associated with manufacturing, transportation, and disposal.
• Lower Carbon Footprint: Manufacturing commercially compostable containers often involves energy-intensive processes. Wheat straw containers typically have a lower carbon footprint as they rely on a renewable resource, require less energy to produce, and contribute to overall energy conservation.  Refillable products often require less energy and resources for production and transportation.
• Renewable Resource: Wheat straw is an annually renewable resource, unlike some materials used in commercially compostable containers. This means that the production of wheat straw containers is more sustainable in the long run, as it relies on a crop that can be replanted and harvested each year.
• Biodiversity Preservation: Supporting the use of wheat straw encourages sustainable farming practices. Crop rotation, a common practice in wheat farming, helps maintain soil health and biodiversity by preventing soil degradation and reducing the need for chemical inputs.
• Durable and Reusable: Wheat straw containers are known for their durability and can withstand multiple uses. By opting for a refillable container, you contribute to reducing single-use waste and promote a more sustainable lifestyle. For the kitchen balms in particular, withstanding warm summers and repeated use, durability was at the top of our list of reasons why we needed to search for a better packaging option. 
• Compostable and Recyclable : It decomposes at a rate similar to paper and leaves behind no toxic material.