Celebrating Earth Day: How Mainland Vintage Supports Sustainability Every Day
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Happy Earth Day!
Since 1970, April 22 has been recognized as Earth Day across the United States, and since 2020, Mainland Vintage has joined in the efforts of prioritizing sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Sustainability is more than a buzzword around here—it’s baked into our everyday decisions. As a small, women-owned business, we believe we have a responsibility not just to our customers, but to the planet we all share. The Earth gives us the raw materials we need to make our products—botanical oils, minerals, clays, and nourishing plant-based ingredients—so honoring that relationship is a key part of what we do.
In celebration of Earth Day, we want to share a few of the practices we’ve adopted to reduce our environmental impact while continuing to deliver high-quality, handcrafted products you can feel good about. 🌍
🌿 1. Reducing Waste by Sending Our Soap Scraps to the Eco Soap Bank
Every bar of soap we make leaves behind some scraps—from the beveled edges we trim for a polished finish, to the imperfect end pieces of each loaf that don’t meet our visual standards. And every time we create a new soap design, there’s at least one test batch involved as we perfect the look and fragrance. Instead of tossing out these perfectly good pieces of soap, we found a better alternative.
Since 2022, we've been a proud partner of the Eco Soap Bank, a nonprofit organization that repurposes leftover soap scraps and redistributes them to communities in need across the globe.
They sanitize and reshape donations from soapmakers like us and send them to hospitals, schools, and shelters in underserved areas, where access to hygiene can literally be life-saving. Through this partnership, not only are we reducing waste in our production process, we’re also supporting public health efforts worldwide. It’s a win-win—and one of our favorite ways to give back.
♻️ 2. Using Biodegradable and Recyclable Packaging
Packaging is one of the biggest challenges for sustainability in the beauty and body care industry, but we’ve found a couple of ways to prioritize eco-friendly options.
First, wherever possible, our bath and body products are packaged in glass—so you can reuse, recycle, or even upcycle them once the product is gone. We also use recyclable paper boxes for our body oils and reed diffusers. These boxes not only enhance the product's presentation on the shelf but also help insulate them during shipping, reducing the need for bubble wrap or other packing materials.
Second, in 2024 we invested in a new system for wrapping our soaps in biodegradable shrink wrap. This keeps each bar clean and fresh while still letting customers pick them up and smell them in person—something that matters a lot for our in-store and wholesale partners.
The biodegradable wrap we use is made with innovative plant-based materials, designed to break down more quickly and cleanly than conventional plastic. While the technology is still evolving, we’re proud to support packaging solutions that put less strain on the environment.
While the sustainable packaging industry is still growing, we're proud to be part of that evolution. We've taken thoughtful steps to reduce waste and support better alternatives, even when they require more time, research, or investment. These choices reflect our values, and we’re excited to keep moving forward, one decision at a time.
🇺🇸 3. Working with US-Based Suppliers
Buying local doesn’t just apply to supporting your favorite coffee shop and bookstore—it’s also one of the most impactful choices we make in our supply chain. By sourcing our raw materials and packaging from US-based suppliers, we’re reducing emissions from international freight shipping while supporting local economies.
Two of our favorite suppliers are Bramble Berry, a woman-owned business that inspired us to enter this industry, and Candlescience, known for their carbon-neutral programs and eco-friendly products. Relationships like these help us stay true to our commitment to environmentally conscious choices.
We love knowing the people behind the ingredients we use—and we’re proud that our purchasing power supports other small businesses, ethical manufacturers, and environmental initiatives right here in the United States.
📦 4. Recycling Shipping Materials for Wholesale Orders
Let’s talk shipping. It’s a major part of running a product-based business—and, if not managed carefully, it can also be a significant source of waste. That’s why we’re committed to reusing and recycling whenever possible.
When we receive shipments of supplies and packaging, we save everything that can be safely reused—from clean bubble wrap to kraft paper padding. Instead of discarding these materials, we repurpose them when packing our wholesale orders. This not only reduces the need for new shipping materials but also gives existing ones a second life before they’re eventually recycled.
It may not be the most glamorous part of the business, but it’s one of the most effective. Reusing these materials, even just once, extends their lifespan beyond single-use—and that adds up quickly over the course of a year.
Why It Matters
As a small business, we know our footprint is just a fraction of the global picture—but that doesn’t mean our actions are insignificant. When each of us makes choices that prioritize sustainability, it creates ripple effects in our communities and in our industries.
Being mindful about how we source, produce, and ship our goods is part of a much bigger goal: leaving the planet better than we found it. While there's always more we can do, we’re proud of the steps we've taken so far and believe progress—rather than perfection—is the way forward.
And we’re not alone—our customers are part of this too. Every time you choose to support a business like ours, you’re voting with your dollars for a more sustainable future. We see that, and we’re incredibly grateful!
A Note of Gratitude
Thank you for being part of the Mainland Vintage community. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you just found us recently, we’re so glad you’re here—and we’re proud to be building something meaningful, together.
This Earth Day, we hope you’ll take a moment to reconnect with the planet, whether that’s through a walk in the woods, planting something green, or supporting a small business that shares your values. 💚
With gratitude and hope,
The Mainland Vintage Team