Companies that sell sustainable products wrapped in plastic packaging have always surprised me. But it’s so common! I’ve had this conversation with many brands in the past:
Me: “Oh wow, I love your [enter eco friendly product]! Have you ever considered switching to plastic free packaging? Maybe something compostable?”
Sustainable brand: “We just don’t have the resources and technology to create that kind of packaging at the moment.”
OR
Sustainable brand: “We have a team of experts working to improve our packaging!” … but the packaging rarely changes.
This blog post is sponsored by one of my all time favorite brands, Seed. Read this post, and you’ll understand why 🙂
Regardless, I’ve found a brand that has absolutely exceeded my expectations for finding the technology and resources to create super sustainable packaging. I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about Seed before. Perhaps you’ve seen them in my post Plastic Free Dietary Supplements I Take Regularly. Often, I’m boasting about their wonderful prebiotic + probiotic supplement for digestive health that they’ve worked so hard to create. Their product compromises 24 scientifically-validated probiotic strains with a patented, non-fermenting prebiotic.
However, today I want to highlight what a great job they’re doing when it comes to packaging. Seed Probiotic definitely leads the way in sustainable packaging. Not only do they have completely compostable packaging, but they also have the perfect refill system to prevent their customers from regularly purchasing more and more glass bottles.
[Do you want to skip to the good stuff?] You can use coupon code TYB15 for 15% OFF your first month of the Seed ds-01 Daily Synbiotic.
Algae Sourced Alternative for Plastic Packaging
When you first order Seed prebiotic + probiotic supplements, you will receive a Welcome Kit that includes a glass jar, a glass vial, and a refill of supplements. Seed uses a box created from biodegradable algae paper to package your kit. Not only can you compost this algae paper in your home compost, but they create it from overgrowths of algae that may otherwise harm fragile marine ecosystems. Often, when I purchase sustainably packaged products, they tend to only have packaging that can be commercially composted.
Personally, I love that Seed has committed to making sure that I can throw this packaging in my compost tumbler at home. This makes my life so much easier! Furthermore, the portion of the packaging that keeps your jars in place is made from the renewable ingredients starch, natural fibers, and water. That means, you can compost this in your home compost as well!
Compostable Packing Material
Aside from the packing for the kits, they package the refills of supplements in corn foam, which is water soluble. When you empty your supplements into one of your jars, you just run it under water, and it dissolves immediately. This advancement in packing peanuts has been crucial for sustainability. Packing peanuts and styrofoam remain some of the most difficult packaging materials to recycle. In fact, most recycling facilities don’t accept it at all, causing it to largely end up in landfills or the ocean. Therefore, using water soluble peanuts changed the game for packaging. I love that seed has chosen to use this type of packaging in conjunction with their algae sourced packaging.
Seed Probiotic Refill System
And finally, the jars themselves are made from glass. Of course, you can recycle glass, but why recycle it when you can endlessly reuse it? Only about a third of glass products get recycled in their lifetime. When we do recycle glass, it can become a very expensive and difficult process. Not many end markets exist for glass, it is very heavy to transport, and it often gets contaminated.
Therefore, when you have a glass product, it’s important to use it as many times as you can. Seed makes this so easy with their refill system! Keep your glass jars from your first Welcome Kit, and simply refill them with the supplement refill that arrives monthly. In addition to the larger glass jar, Seed makes sure to provide you with a travel jar, as well. When traveling, it’s so convenient to have this smaller glass vial to save space when I’m packing!
Always Innovating
Honestly, I can’t think of anymore ways to have a more sustainably packaged product. Seed has thought of everything! However, the coolest aspect of Seed’s business model is their commitment to innovation. Regularly, Seed improves their packaging and products to stay as sustainable as they can. Seed’s research and development team devotes their time to learning how to make sure that Seed is as kind to the environment as they can be.
Their pursuit of new materials and sustainable solutions is ongoing. In fact, in the time that I have partnered with Seed, I have watched their packaging advance from mushroom based packaging (mycelium) to their new algae based packaging. While both compostable, the mycelium packaging was heavier. This increased shipping weight, which increased their overall carbon footprint. I love that I can trust that Seed doesn’t just talk about searching for new solutions, but they actually make these goals a reality.
They have even formulated a new children’s probiotic supplement. They spent many years perfecting their pds-08 pediatric daily synbiotic that’s now available for children and teens ages 3-17. It contains 9 probiotic strains and a fiber based prebiotic.
Also, just a few years ago Seed received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as an investigational new drug around irritable bowel syndrome. They’re always studying; always innovating.
Hold Brands Accountable
It’s clear that sustainable and plastic free packaging IS possible. Simply put, businesses need to prioritize it in order for it to become a reality. It’s so important that we hold brands accountable for not only the quality of their products but their packaging as well. Seed acts as a great leader and example of sustainable packaging. Let’s encourage other eco brands to innovate and care for the planet as fiercely as Seed does!
Seed Probiotic Discount Code
The team at Seed knows that this holiday season is unlike any other. We’re all doing what we need to do to stay safe. And honestly, health seems to have become a priority for many people at the moment. Seed wants to help make choosing healthier choices a little easier. They’re currently offering the Tiny Yellow Bungalow community 15% off your first month of the Daily Synbiotic. Simply use coupon code TYB15!
I’ve been partnering with Seed for a while now, and this is the steepest discount I’ve seen them offer. I definitely recommend that you take advantage of it if you can! There are tons of reasons to start supplementing with a probiotic. If you’re looking to improve your gut health, head over to Seed’s website to learn the basics of pro and prebiotics and why Seed’s good bacteria really outshine all other supplements!
Seed Health Benefits
Most people choose probiotics to support their digestive system but Seed Daily Synbiotic’s broad spectrum 24-strain supplement has been scientifically studied through clinical trials to provide quite a few benefits including the following:
- Gastrointestinal Function: Supports healthy regular bowel movements and ease of bloating by creating a healthy gut microbiome
- Dermatological Health: Promotes healthy skin and reinforces gut-skin axis
- Cardiovascular Health: Promotes heart health and supports healthy intestinal recycling of cholesterol and bile
- Gut Immune Function: Supports healthy gut immune function and ‘cross-talk’ between between immune system and intestinal system cells
- Gut Barrier Integrity: Maintains healthy gut barrier function and integrity
- Micronutrient Synthesis: Supports folate (Vitamin B9) production via intestinal synthesis of bioactive forms of folate
- Also, Seed Synbiotic stands out from other probiotic brands because it has 100% survival through simulated digestion (stomach acid, bile salts, and digestive enzymes) They have a capsule-in-capsule design that allows the supplement to continue through your digestive tract.
Whether you have specific digestive issues (like irritable bowel syndrome) or are simply interested in improving your overall health, be sure to check out Seed! Order your first 30-day supply and give it a try. See what good gut bacteria can do for you and your whole-body health!
The paper pouches the refills come in are compostable, but not recyclable and they do not dissolve in water. Since most people do not own a compost bin or have access to a composting program, they have to throw them in the garbage, which is usually put in a plastic bag where there is no oxygen and hence will remain there for many years until it produces methane gas and damages the environment.