Five Ways We're Becoming More Sustainable

1. Using natural and sustainable ingredients

Natural ingredients are far better for the environment than synthetic ones, and cutting out the harsh production and manufacturing processes involved in synthesising man-made ingredients is also beneficial to the environment. All of our equine, canine and human products – both externals and supplements – contain natural ingredients. Our external range is also cruelty-free, paraben-free and sulphate free, meaning it’s friendly to the skin and to the environment.

Particularly in recent years, keeping marine life and the oceans healthy has been a focus for many companies. Our Cortaflex HA range uses only sustainably sourced marine collagen, meaning no damage to our seas or its inhabitants! Using ingredients that are both renewable and sustainable helps to ensure that we are minimising our impact on the Earth’s resources.

Our UK supplier practices responsible sourcing, ensuring that ingredients are traced from the source to maintain a high standard of safety and sustainability. Responsible agriculture and sourcing assures us, and you, that our ingredients are ethical and renewable.

2. Reducing our air and transit miles

Air pollution from planes results in poorer air quality, which not only affects the environment, but also human health. Transporting goods by plane also results in a large carbon expenditure, contributing to global warming and greenhouse emissions.

In 2018, Equine America made the decision to move production from the United States over to the United Kingdom. This bold change resulted in a huge reduction of air miles and carbon emissions from transit, as well as supporting local UK-based businesses. We are also in the process of setting up manufacturing in mainland Europe and Australia, to ensure that no matter where our products are sold, they don’t have to travel far to get there.

3. Decreasing our paper and cardboard consumption

Did you know that it takes 70% less energy to recycle paper than it does to create new paper? Reducing the usage of paper and cardboard means fewer trees are cut down, and recycling where possible helps to reduce the carbon footprint of paper usage.

Packaging items to transport and protect your orders often requires a lot of cardboard. Equine America UK’s warehouse re-purpose used boxes and cardboard, creating packaging that’s used to protect your orders in transit (and as a bonus, it’s recyclable!). All cardboard that can’t be re-purposed in-house is recycled, minimising cardboard waste.

We are also going paperless with all invoicing and receipts as part of our sustainability plan, helping us to reduce the amount of paper waste we create. Wherever possible, paperwork is emailed rather than printed, and we would urge you to do the same and also not print out our paperwork!

4. Offering Vegan and Plant-Based Options

Plant-based, vegetarian and vegan diets make up around 14% of the population (as of 2019). A study from the University of Oxford found that reducing consumption of meat and animal products is one of the biggest ways of reducing your carbon footprint

Offering options like our Vegan Protected Cortaflex means supporting those with vegan or plant-based diets, who are significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

5. Flexible working for our staff

Car, train and bus pollution from daily commutes contributes to smog and poorer air quality, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing the amount of driving needed helps to reduce carbon footprints, and flexible working allows our staff to work from home wherever possible. This not only eliminates the emissions from commuting, but also encourages paperless working through keeping digital rather than physical files.

Preserving the environment means that we can continue to meet current and future needs, and continue to consider the crucial connection between economy and environment. Equine America is committed to building our sustainability, and continuing to incorporate eco-friendly practices into our business.

If you have any questions about Equine America’s sustainability practices, or any suggestions on how we can be more eco-friendly, contact our team at info@equine-america.co.uk, or call us on 01403 255809.