STEP BY STEP TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD!

Over the years, as a small Dutch family business, we have taken several meaningful steps to contribute to a more sustainable world. For example, did you know that we were the first company in the Netherlands to use FSC-certified printed cardboard and paper for the packaging and instructions of our hair care products? Today, all our packaging and instructions are made from FSC-certified cardboard and paper, helping to preserve our beautiful forests.

There is still much work to be done, with exciting challenges ahead to improve even further. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities and find it rewarding and motivating to work on this daily. Here, we want to gather and celebrate the steps we have taken on this sustainability journey. It’s a demanding but special journey filled with satisfaction, results, and joy — care to join us?

Innovation – Introducing New Sustainable Royal Green Glass Packaging

We are proud to introduce the new sustainable Royal Green glass packaging. This innovation elevates product protection while significantly reducing plastic use. All sizes of these high-quality containers are produced in Europe at an advanced glass factory certified with prestigious quality marks such as ISO 9001, ISO 15378, Ecovadis Gold, and ISO 45001. The dark brown glass we chose is 100% inert, 100% free from odour or taste, 100% endlessly recyclable, and 100% natural. It blocks virtually all light and air and does not interact with the product it protects. This makes it the best long-term choice for a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and exceptional product preservation. We pair this innovation with a new generation of paper (booklet) labels made from sustainably sourced FSC-certified paper, digitally printed in the Netherlands. Experience a new standard in quality packaging and help us take positive steps towards a sustainable world.

100% Plastic-Free Tape and Biodegradable Filler Material

A fun fact: the tape we use to seal our shipping packages is made from biodegradable paper. The filler material we use (FLO-PAK BIO) is made from natural starch and is 100% biodegradable. This helps us reduce single-use plastic and prevent plastic litter.

The Green Chapter Cares for Our Forests

Did you know that every minute, 36 football fields’ worth of forest disappear worldwide? The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation dedicated to the preservation and responsible management of forests globally. By using FSC-certified paper and cardboard, The Green Chapter — and you — directly contribute to protecting global forests and supporting a healthy environment for people and wildlife worldwide. For the full ‘forests’ story, click here.

Dutch Wind Power

Since 1 February 2020, all electricity used by our company comes from Dutch wind turbines, making it locally generated and carbon-neutral. The product we purchase, NederlandseWind, is certified with the Milieukeur eco-label.

Waste Separation

While it might seem obvious, waste separation is not as common in many companies as it is with us. It also costs more, since separate collection of business waste is more expensive than collecting only residual waste. We separate organic waste, plastic/cans, glass, wood, paper, metal, and batteries, contributing to turning waste into new raw materials.

Sustainable Warehouse

In 2021 and 2022, we worked hard to renovate and make our finished goods warehouse more sustainable. Instead of replacing the building, we chose to upcycle it by removing and recycling the old metal facade and replacing it with modern cladding offering the highest insulation value available today (Rc 8.35). Our warehouse is now better insulated than the most modern new homes. We also replaced the lighting with advanced dynamic LED lights, reducing energy consumption for lighting to a minimum while providing pleasant light for warehouse tasks. Heating was upgraded to heat pump technology with smart computer controls. Combined with thorough insulation, we reduced energy consumption by about 80% while maintaining a stable warehouse temperature year-round. Alongside other upgrades, the result is a ‘renewed’ warehouse ready for a sustainable future!

Ambition for Net-Zero by 2040

As a family business with a deeply rooted green and sustainable mission, we are motivated to lead the way towards a circular and sustainable world. The journey to reduce greenhouse gases to net-zero is challenging and requires thorough preparation and clear direction to take verifiable steps towards the goal. Our first step is to inventory company emissions, followed by an inventory at the product level. This is complex due to the number of products, the variety of raw materials and components, associated activities, and the need to establish a practical method. During this phase, implementing known and feasible improvements at company and product levels brings short-term benefits and satisfaction. Once the inventory phase is complete, we will know the scope of the remaining challenge and can work towards the end goal step by step. Many steps on this journey are costly and may significantly increase product prices. The challenge is to continually balance feasibility and impact. Based on current information, we expect to complete this journey by 2040. We remain motivated and optimistic about the future’s opportunities.

100% Electric Company Vehicles

We were among the first to introduce a 100% electric company vehicle in 2015, when charging points were scarce and battery capacity limited to around 100 km per charge — especially challenging in winter. It was an adventure! We are proud that by Q2 2024, all our company vehicles will be fully electric. We’re delighted to say goodbye to fossil fuels for our company vehicles.