How we do business

Sustainability 

  • Local Sourcing - Rather than shipping herbs here from around the world, we responsibly wildcraft from our surrounding bioregions and support small-scale farmers to grow our herbs locally. Our herb gardens are Bee Friendly certified.
  • Folk Methods - We use a variety of time honoured, analog methods to preserve the holistic benefits of the plants while using less energy.
  • Packaging - Our products are packaged in biodegradable paper tubes and glass bottles/jars with metal lids. Although glass takes more energy to recycle than plastic, its reusable in various mediums before being recycled, and will break down if it ends up in a landfill. Amber glass also blocks UV rays and contaminants from harming our formulas and is free of chemicals often found in plastic. 
  • Shipping - We reuse all shipping materials received in our studio (why you might occasionally find bubble wrap in your order). Orders ship in post-recycled cardboard boxes with biodegradable paper tape and recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable packing materials. 
  • Repurposing - We proudly make palm-free soap, using repurposed organic tallow instead. Palm is a commonly used filler ingredient in soap and other consumables and is destroying rainforest habitat at an alarming rate. Tallow is a byproduct of local, regenerative farming practices that would otherwise be thrown in landfills and contains enzymes that soothe sensitive skin. 

Ethics 

  • Northlore operates on a feminist and anti-racist business model. Whenever possible we support businesses and cooperatives run by women and people of colour, recognizing the disadvantages faced within current capitalist, colonial, patriarchal systems.
  • We use fair/direct-trade ingredients to maintain an ethical supply chain.
  • We exclusively source mica pigments (at a higher cost) that are certified free of child-mining. To educate yourself on the rampant human rights abuses in mica mining for the cosmetic industry, check out this eye opening video from Refinery 29.

Donations + Reparations 

  • We donate 10% of our quarterly profits to Indigenous led organizations who are leaders in the movement toward climate justice.
  • We support and wish to highlight Indigenous Climate Action. ICA works to empower communities to take action on climate change. Indigenous communities have contributed the least to the climate crisis but are the first to experience the effects of it. We support ICA because we believe Indigenous leaders are the only leaders prepared to take real action in Canada for the benefit of future generations, and we share their values of being caretakers and protectors of the earth. Learn more and donate here