It seems you can’t switch the television on without seeing a broadcast of some natural disaster somewhere in the world. Whether it’s flooding in Brazil, earthquakes in Turkey, or cyclones in New Zealand. Some might argue it’s climate change; others might argue it’s just mother nature acting up. Whatever your stance on the matter, one thing’s for certain: there’s a lot of pressure being put on big corporations around the globe by political parties to reduce their carbon footprint, and that includes the infant formula industry.
I know what you’re thinking. Woah! Hold your horses. How do climate change and reducing the carbon footprint fit in with the production of baby formula? Great question! There are two areas where baby formula production affects climate change and has an environmental impact. The first is through the high consumption of natural resources, and the second is through animal agriculture processes which produce very high amounts of greenhouse gasses. Infant formula is made with ingredients obtained through animal agriculture. And it doesn’t end there; production and distribution also form part of the issue.
Hence, sustainability was introduced into the baby formula industry, and that’s why there’s a need to adopt sustainable practices. Ah ha! Starting to draw a picture here! Consumers around the globe know that they hold tremendous power, known as purchasing power, and they know what impact their decisions have on the environment. Just think about it. The consumers are babies; the buyers are mothers. Of course, it’s only natural that new mothers would want to spend their hard-earned money buying top-quality products from manufacturers that adhere to sustainability practices that align with their values. Manufacturers, on the other hand, strive to produce products that meet the rising demand for organic and eco-friendly products.
The Sustainability Practices of European Organic Baby Formulas
So how is European organic baby formula coming to the table? What are they doing to adhere to the rising demand from consumers for more sustainable practices? A lot! Below is a breakdown of the sustainability practices that have been put into place by many of the manufacturers in the European organic baby formula industry.
Organic Ingredients
Firstly, manufacturers are moving away from ingredients that contain GMOs and moving toward only using organic ingredients in their formulas. Hooray! For mommy and baby!Let’s break down this point even further. There are no harmful synthetic pesticides or fertilizers used when growing the ingredients found in organic formulas. The most important aspect of this practice is that your baby doesn’t have to consume any of those harmful ingredients. Yucky! But that’s not all! The soil used in the production of the plant-based ingredients used in the organic formula such as Holle Goat is preserved.
That means that the soil remains fertile for further use. This practice alone yields so many benefits and helps to save the planet and create a world that your little bundle of joy can enjoy for many years to come!
Reducing the Use of Plastic
Plastic is a major contributor to global warming. Eek! Everything’s made of plastic! How do we move past this? Well, many companies are trying to completely do away with the use of plastic in their packaging. The baby formula industry has taken steps to reduce, but not yet completely remove, the use of plastic in their packaging. Big ups to them for taking a step in the right direction!
So what’s the alternative to plastic? Easy! Biodegradable and paper packaging! As a responsible parent, making responsible decisions for your baby and the future of the planet, you can rest assured that when you purchase this product, you are helping to fight the scourge that is known as climate change. Less plastic in the environment means less plastic in landfills and less plastic in the ocean! Yippee!
Reducing waste
In the manufacturing process, there is a drive towards lean production. This essentially means that manufacturers are trying to reduce and, if possible, eliminate waste by-products that are produced in the production process. In the infant formula production industry, this translates to less food waste and sustainable practices that promote recycling.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is a big buzzword in many industries. But what exactly is renewable energy? And how can it be used in the manufacturing process of infant formula? Well, that’s another great question! Renewable energy refers to using energy produced in sustainable ways. This typically includes solar and wind energy. By using more renewable energy in the production process, manufacturers that produce organic infant formulas are also reducing their carbon footprint. Bravo!
Production and manufacturing plants produce large amounts of greenhouse gases each year. These gasses are released into the atmosphere and are significant contributors to global warming, which leads to further climate change. By using renewable energy, organic infant formula manufacturers are coming to the table with their contributions and efforts at fighting global warming.
Fairtrade
Bringing change doesn’t just happen at the top; it needs to filter down to the bottom. That’s where fair trade comes in. Manufacturers who practice sustainability strive to only do business with farmers who treat and pay their workers ethically and use their sustainable practices. The same applies to suppliers. So what does this mean for people at the other end of the scale?
Communities that practice sustainable farming are supported. In turn, these communities can ensure that their people are uplifted and that they can provide a certain standard of living for their families while moving out of poverty. Hooray! Finally, everyone wins!
The Welfare of Animals
Manufacturers must ensure that they source their ingredients, especially those obtained from animals, responsibly. These animals shouldn’t be subjected to cruelty or inhumane practices. Apart from these sustainable practices and codes of ethical conduct that these manufacturers adhere to, they often have a certificate that they obtain from regulatory bodies to ensure that they comply and adhere to the minimum standards as set out by these regulatory bodies in terms of ethical standards and environmental standards in the production process.
The ultimate goal of European Organic Baby Formula manufacturers is to ensure that they not only adhere to but also comply with sustainable production processes. Throughout the process, from the people who work in the industry to the animals that produce some of the products used in the ingredient list of organic baby formula, everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
