Sustainability
Raw Elements was born out of an effort to create the safest, most effective sunscreen on the planet. We are lifeguards, swimmers, surfers, moms, dads, animal lovers, philanthropists, yogis, conscious consumers, skiers and friends. We are not just a brand, but a mindful, global movement to protect our health and our environment. Our team continues to develop the most trustworthy sun care and is focused on responsibility, sustainability and education.
2021 Ingredients & Finished Products
Being that the skin is our largest organ, what we put on it has a direct effect on our health. It also has a direct impact on our environment. How? The chemicals and artificial ingredients in conventional sunscreen runs off upon entering the water and spreads rapidly. While we may not see it immediately, this has a negative impact on marine life. As a brand, we are committed to using the most effective, yet gentle ingredients in our products that are safe enough for use on babies, while holding up to the demands of athletes. Sourcing and cultivation of agriculture is a critical component in ingredient sustainability. As a company policy, our sunscreen ingredients are individually selected and sourced, Non-GMO certified, either NPA Certified Natural or USDA/NOP Certified Organic and all certified Cruelty Free. All of our finished sunscreen products are NPA Certified Natural. We have gone through third-party testing to ensure that there are no nano-sized particles in our sunscreen formulas. Additionally, our Zinc Oxide is USP grade, uncoated and meets international standards of Non Nano.
2021 Packaging
While chemicals from skincare products play a large role in the degradation of marine life, it’s difficult to ignore the harmful effects of plastic debris. Of the 260 million tons of plastic the world produces each year, more than 10 percent ends up in the oceans. Unfortunately, food containers and packaging are the largest component of the municipal solid waste stream.
Raw Elements is committed to sourcing and utilizing the most sustainable, PCR resins, recyclable materials, compostable paperboard, bio-based materials and infinitely recyclable aluminum packaging options available. That is our policy and our challenge to ourselves. Our plastic-free line is a direct response to this. We have created products that are completely plastic free. Our best-selling Face + Body SPF 30 and our Tinted Daily Face Moisturizer SPF 30 are available in zero waste/plastic free aluminum tins. Aluminum metal can be infinitely recycled. We designed these tins to be used over and over again. Not only are they completely recyclable, but the empty tins have a multitude of uses. In fact, we encourage you as the consumer to re-use them. Some creative ways to reuse them include storing headphones, jewelry or sea shells. Taking it one step further, we even produce our tins lids without standard HDPE liners and in 2021 our tins will be shedding their labels for direct print to aluminum!
In 2021 we are transitioning our Daily Lifestyle Pump SPF 30 and Tinted Daily Face Moisturizer SPF 30 to new aluminum tubes. The body is all aluminum and infinitely recyclable. We have a brand goal of eventually reaching 100% plastic free packaging. This is likely our greatest challenge, but one we continue to make great steps towards.
Additionally in 2021, all of our lip balm tubes as well as our SPF face sticks will be transitioned to 100% PCR components that are also fully recyclable!
In 2020, we launched our Face + Body sunscreen tube, comprised of 65% PCR material and fully recyclable. In constant challenge ton enhance our sustainability program, we are extremely excited to be transitioning this tube to a fully Green Bio Resin, Recyclable Tube for 2021!
Recently we launched a Zero-Waste Baby + Kids line. These products are completely plastic free. The sunscreen stick is delivered in fully compostable, recyclable Paperboard Stick packaging. By offering our kiddos eco-conscious, chemical-free sunscreen options, we are teaching them safe sun practices and the importance of making sustainable choices. Through great success and consumer awareness, we have expanded the Compostable Paperboard Stick in 2021 Ocean Ramsey & World Reef Day signature products. Through sales of these products, we actively fund marine conservation efforts.
As we begin to look ahead to carbon neutrality and offsets, we have already made significant enhancements. We are presently engaged in practices to reduce and consolidate all areas of our packaging weight, shipping, and freight. Public Natural Sunscreen dispenser programs are a great focus of ours. In 2021 we have partnered with Plakthat, a fellow 1% For The Planet business member, for our dispenser educational backboards. These new boards are produced by recycled/recyclable composite materials. In addition, the new boards reduce our shipping weight by 15 lbs each! This is one great example of ongoing steps we are taking to reduce our carbon footprint.
World Reef Day
In 2019, we founded World Reef Day - a call to action to consumers, businesses and organizations around the world to reflect on the delicate ecosystem of our ocean’s coral reefs and make simple changes to protect them. Our goal is to generate awareness about the issues affecting our reefs and inspire people to take action by reducing single-use plastics and switching to reef-safe sunscreen. We want to encourage our friends and people throughout the world to start a conversation and get involved. It’s important for people to know that we have contributed to the decline of corals, but that we can fix it. Our goal is to build the day each year, generate awareness, effect change and create a legacy for future generations.
1% for the Planet
We joined 1% for the Planet because part of our mission is to create products that are not only safe for humans but for all ecosystems. We care deeply about our environment, especially our oceans. Through our partnership, we will be donating 1% of our annual sales to nonprofits who are working to preserve and protect one of nature’s most precious resources.
Have a suggestion or an idea on how we can continue to improve our efforts? We would love to hear from you! Click here to shoot us an email.