1. I just placed an order, when will it be delivered/ship?
We try our best to get your items out quickly. Orders over $60, being sent within a 15 mile radius of our Pleasantville location, will be delivered by us via car (in an effort to create as little waste as we can!) within 7 business days of your order. For those orders being shipped, please allow 4-7 days production time; average shipping times are 15-21 days. Tracking numbers will be updated 3-5 days after your order has been SHIPPED. If you don't have a tracking number after 7 business please email us at ekemler@gmail.com.
2. What is your return policy?
We do hope you will love your purchase! If you are not satisfied, please note that as a small business with limited inventory, we cannot accept returns for refunds but are happy to offer store credit or exchanges. Credit and exchanges will be offered on a case by case basis. You can contact us at ekemler@gmail.com to inquire about a return.
3. Is your packaging eco-friendly?
We use only the most eco-friendly packaging in our efforts to be low to zero waste. We also prioritize “right-sized” packaging when we ship, meaning that your box is efficiently packed to ensure as little waste as possible. Our shipping materials are all biodegradable and compostable. And of course, we will deliver whenever we can! Our brand partners are equally committed to creating a low carbon footprint.
For the products themselves, we prefer glass over plastic and aluminum (except when they are designed to be refilled for the long-term). The composition of a package is another way to measure its sustainability, and glass is made from three abundant and natural ingredients: sand, limestone and soda ash. When glass breaks down, it remains safe and stable, and releases no harmful chemicals into the soil. So even when glass isn’t recycled, it does minimal harm to the environment.
Glass is also amongst the most recyclable material on the planet – 100 percent recyclable, in fact. Which is probably why 80 percent of all recovered glass bottles are made into new glass bottles. Why does this matter? Because every 10 percent increase in recycled glass results in a 5 percent decrease in emissions and a 3 percent decrease in energy consumption. Please note that that there are certain products that do use small amounts of plastic though we do our best to avoid this.
5. Are you carbon neutral?
Not quite, but close! We work with an amazing organization called Pachama, to neutralize the carbon footprint we do make. Pachama is on a mission to solve climate change by restoring forests, nature's carbon sinks. You can learn more about their ground-breaking work here.
4. Where do you source your products from?
Our goal is to eventually have all of our products come from local sources both as a way of lessening our carbon footprint, and in support of our local artisans and the local economy. All of our products–local and global–are sourced from environmentally and socially responsible makers and companies. A great deal of time is spent in search of products that offer the highest quality while supporting makers/producers, and creating the least environmental impact.
6. What do you mean by sustainable?
Sustainability is based on the principle that everything we need for our survival and well-being depends, directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. This means that we must create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations. True sustainability recognizes the interconnectedness of our environmental health and social and economic equity. It also recognizes that our natural resources are finite (as in, they won’t last forever!). Sustainable practices are those that treat the land and the people tending the land, with care, to ensure lasting, healthy, thriving communities.
6. Why isn't everything you carry organic?
USDA Organic can be a helpful certification for many products, but doesn't quite paint the whole picture of a products' sourcing. Since organic growing practices have a lower crop yield, and organic-certified growers don’t represent a large percentage of farms, a brand may not be able to source 100% reliable quantities of organic ingredients all the time. Another common misconception about“organic” is that it means “pesticide-free" which is not the case. Organic crops are often sprayed with pesticides though not synthetic pesticides. The issue is that naturally-derived pesticides can sometimes be more toxic than their synthetic counterparts. On top of that, organic pesticides break down more quickly and so have to be sprayed more frequently.
7. Mind you, we're not saying “don’t shop organic”!
Not at all. We just want you to know that there’s no perfect way to evaluate farming practices. And there are a variety of factors to consider when looking at a product for sustainable qualities. So, while we do recognize USDA Organic certifications as helpful onboarding criteria, we leave the door open to non-certified ingredients as part of a more holistic vetting process.
8. How can I get help with an order?
We are here to help! Please send us an email to ekemler@gmail.com and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can. We do receive a large number of emails, If you wish to get a prompt response please attach your order number, address along with your question or issue.