Sustainability Profile: Small Planet Cleaning Supplies

1. What is your company's brand promise, vision or statement of values, and how does it relate to sustainability?
Small Planet is a Calgary-based company dedicated to making the world a cleaner, healthier, and better smelling place. We are proud that Small Planet makes the most natural, non-toxic cleaning products around.
2. How are your products or services environmentally and socially sustainable?
We use only the finest all-natural, non-toxic ingredients and we list all of our ingredients on the label. They are packaged in HDPE plastic, which is recyclable.
3. How does your company give preference to suppliers who create positive social and environmental benefits either through their products and services or through their community partnerships?
We use only Dr. Bronner's soap because they are a very socially aware, earth friendly, employee friendly business and they make the best soap around. All of their soaps are organic and fair trade certified.

All of our products are produced by me, in my basement, and are delivered in my fuel-efficient Honda civic! We pick up used bottles from different stores and businesses that use them, and we either recycle or reuse them. We offer a discount to vendors who return bottles. We are also working on making a concentrate germs-be-gone to reduce the amount of packaging. We make products in bulk for refilling.
4. How does your business minimize the environmental impact of its operations?
Small Planet is a home-based business and we strive to make our home as earth-friendly as possible. These are just a few of the things that we do, and each week we add something new. Check smallplanetdaily.blogspot.com for updates.
• Recycle everything that we can, including plastics through a weekly curbside pickup.
• Eat mostly organic, local food.
• Reduce garbage.
• Compost all of our kitchen waste.
• Energy Star appliances.
• Eco-friendly soaps, shampoos, laundry soap, dish soap, dishwasher soap...
• Cloth diapers on our 20 month old son.
• CFB bulbs.
• 100% recycled office paper and notebooks. Brochures are printed on 100% recycled paper.
• Support local sustainable business.
We don't just talk the talk, we live it everyday.
5. How does your business demonstrate ethical business conduct?
At Small Planet, we consider each action that we take and the effects that they have on those around us. We are continually looking at new and better ways of doing business.
6. What strategic community partnerships does your company have in place?
Small Planet is a proud member of REAP Business Association.
7. What policy or guidelines exist to support charitable contributions?
I don't have a formal charitable contribution policy in place, but I do support different fundraising and charity groups through donations of money or products. If anyone asks, I always give something. I just donated to the Children's Cancer Care society and to the Run For One Planet last month.
8. How many people do you employ locally?
Small Planet employs me, Jennifer, and I get help with childcare through my family who are paid in good organic meals!
9. In what ways does your business demonstrate its commitment to employee health and safety?
This is not yet applicable.
10. In what ways does your business demonstrate its commitment to employee development and job satisfaction?
This is not yet applicable.
11. How does your business support employees to lead balanced lives and be active participants in their communities?
As a one-person home-based business, everyday is bring your child to work day at Small Planet!