Why We Choose Specific Vendors
It’s back to school time, and we thought maybe you’d like to know why we choose the vendors we do with all our to-go lunch options! Of course, we are always looking for reusable options, as opposed to single-use, but there are other features we look for as well! Here are some highlights on the companies we support:
SoYoung - A Canadian and woman-owned company that makes the most beautiful lunch boxes using a linen/cotton exterior fabric. They have a removable insulated insert that makes for easy daily cleaning, eliminating the tendency to get rid of it because it’s gunky and hard to clean. They’re also PVC, Phthalate, Lead & BPA-Free, and we love that they’re machine washable!
Onyx - Another Canadian company that produces one of the only ethically produced stainless steel containers on the market. Staff are paid fairly & everything is done according to regulation, which is often not the case with other stainless steel products. Plus, they’re insulated and stand up well to lots of use!
U-Konserve - This company was started by two friends who believed small changes make big differences & In 2008 the founders created the first zero-waste lunch kit for elementary schools. The reusable concept caught on, and more products were developed. They are a Certified B Corporation and member of 1% For the Planet, using business for good by creating a positive impact for employees, communities and the environment.
OLA Bamboo - Of course, the obvious feature of this company is that they opt for sustainable & compostable bamboo. But they also strongly believe reducing their carbon footprint and benefitting the health of our beautiful planet is crucial., and have planted over 3,000 trees in Quebec so far! They employ over a hundred people with disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, physical limitations and mental disorders. And on top of that, they make numerous donations to charities, including toothbrush kits to Salvation Army & zero waste kits for the Association québécoise pour l’Avancement des Nations Unies-Haïti.
Miir - This company’s goal is to “give more and take less”, and they go above and beyond other drinking vessel companies by focusing on 4 areas: Durability, Replaceability (replacements are available if a component breaks down, so you don’t have to buy a whole new item), Recyclability (products are designed with materials that can be placed in blue bins or commercially recycled), and Curcularity (where possible, they take back misprinted, damaged, or well-loved products and use them as raw material feedstock for alternative manutacturing). Miir is a Certified B Corp, and adheres to high levels of environmental responsibility and fair labor policies. They’re also part of 1% For the Planet, Certified Carbon Neutral, and a member of Climate Action Corps. It doesn’t get much better than this!
We hope this helps you get an idea of how much we think and care about the items we feel good about carrying and offering to our community!