Our Values
At I’m Plastic Free we have developed a framework of criteria, which we refer to as values. We strictly vet each organisation before manually approving new listings on our platform.
How?
We perform due diligence of the website of each organization we want to partner with, we scrutinise their claims and their certifications, if available. In many cases, we contact the manufacturer and ask direct questions (through a questionnaire we compiled) and we also buy and test the actual products themselves, or the brands send these to us for testing. We don’t accept organizations that don’t meet our framework of criteria, as they won’t help us create that double positive impact we want to achieve: an environmental impact and a social impact.
Environmental Impact
Zero Waste
The products sold by the organizations featured in our listings are manufactured or sourced based on their minimal harmful impact to our environment, which translates to being made of natural and organic material, therefore zero waste, and certified home compostable at the end of their life. We look for products that abide certification standards like Home Compostable AS 5810 ABAX 9999 in Australia, NF T51-800 in France, prEN 17427 for Europe etc.
We pay careful attention to product quality as our motto is “to buy once” long lasting products that save resources and pollution.
Last but not least, we are fully aware that greenwashing is on the rise, so you can be sure that on our platform you won’t find businesses that have unsubstantiated claims or that claim to be greener than what they actually are (reusable straws in plastic packaging anyone?).
Plastic Free
Brands listed on our platform sell products that are free of plastic or in some cases they have a minimal amount of plastic, i.e. a plastic pump or lid in a cosmetic, if necessary for its function, or plastic parts in electrical appliances as long as they do not come in contact with hot water or food, overall though up to < 20%.
We scout the world for natural fabrics, materials sourced directly from nature and "next gen" materials, free from fossil-fuel based plastics and synthetics. We carefully source “the best versions” for every product currently on the market, however, we are aware that sometimes there are no alternatives and we do need to make a few compromises.
Furthermore, the products sold by the brands on our platform are wrapped and shipped with minimal, fully compostable or recyclable plastic free packaging.
Closed Loop
Some companies follow a closed-loop system, typical of the circular economy, by which customers are asked to send back empty packaging or reusable containers to be refilled with new products (i.e. personal hygiene / cleaning products / take-away etc.), return these to store, or buy refills, this way achieving minimal or zero waste.
Sometimes mobile apps help manufacturers manage such upstream solutions.
Palm Oil Free
All brands on our platform offer products that are free of palm oil, and also free of responsibly sourced palm oil (RSPO) because we believe that unfortunately, you cannot fill a bucket of water from multiple taps, then try and separate the water showing which tap that water portion has come from.
We are dedicated to passionately fight deforestation, as a way of preserving wildlife and minimizing global warming.
Carbon Neutral Delivery
Our goal is not just to fight plastic pollution, we also strive to reduce carbon emissions so we are delighted to say that most of the businesses on our platform offer carbon neutral delivery of their products.
We'll strive to list businesses that also offer carbon neutral products and services themselves in the future.
Social Impact
Ethical
All products on our platform are manufactured or sourced based on their minimal harmful impact to society, which translates to:
- no child labour
- no exploitation (no forced labour / no excessive hours)
- fair living wages for workers and social security payments
- safe and hygienic working conditions
- fair-trade
Service businesses also follow the same values.
Cruelty Free
None of the products by the brands listed on our platform and their ingredients are tested on animals, therefore, we can strongly stay behind our cruelty free policy.
Toxin Free
We carefully select brands that create their products with love and are either certified organic and / or free of toxic chemicals and pesticides.
Being an ocean-friendly social enterprise, it is paramount that the beauty products by our brands are all natural and reef safe.
We understand that the terms non-toxic, toxin-free are unregulated, therefore, in our assessment we rely on the work by reputable organisations that have established rating programs like MADE SAFE, Toxic Free Foundation, as well as globally recognised certifications.
Vegan Options
While our platform is 100% cruelty free, we also aim at listing a very large selection of vegan brands. However, in some cases when no animal cruelty is involved, we also accept listings by non-vegan brands (i.e. beeswax wraps, wool clothing, insulation packaging material made of wool fibers etc.)
Made Locally
Our platform is global, however, users can easily select the country of residence and thus find products, services, and business solutions that are local, based in their own country.
As an example, we don’t believe in a bamboo toothbrush being flown around the world to get to the customer. A product is not eco-friendly anymore when it has to cross the whole world to get to the buyer. With our platform users can save on postage … and carbon!
Most of the listings on our platform are by small innovative businesses or start-ups that are as passionate about making a difference as we are and have a great story to tell.
How We Vet Brands: Certifications
On top of the framework of criteria, which we refer to as values, we strictly vet each organisation by verifying their certifications and accreditations, and/or those of their suppliers.
Here is a non-exhaustive example list of organisations with internationally recognised certification programs, which we look for when doing our due diligence and examining products and manufacturers:
Home Compostable Certifications (Bio-based / Bio-benign)
- BPI Certification Mark (North America)
- ABA Home Compostable Verification Scheme (Australia/New Zealand)
- OK Home Compost TUV (Europe)
- DIN CERTCO – Home Compostable (Europe)
- etc.
Organic Textiles Certifications
Cruelty Free Certifications
Non Toxic / Toxin Free Claims
We understand that the terms non-toxic, toxin-free are unregulated; therefore, in our research, we rely on the work by reputable organisations that have established rating programs of products and/or product ingredients (like cosmetics/beauty products, cleaning products etc.).
For example, we often consult the ingredients’ databases of the following organisations:
- Made Safe
- Toxic Free Foundation
- Beat the Microbead campaign and database by the Plastic Soup Foundation
- Environment Working Group (EWG) personal care database and healthy cleaning database.
Balancing Profit with Social and Environmental Responsibility
Consumer Regulatory Authorities
When vetting brands we also regularly consult the consumer law regulators of the respective country the company is from to ensure essential criteria regarding quality, product safety etc. have been met.
Examples of such regulators are:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
At I’M PLASTIC FREE we stand by the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals values:
Does your Business offer a Solution to Plastic Pollution?
Follow the steps to add your listing with us.
1. Register an Account
Click on the User Icon on the Header and register.
3. Get Verified & Approved
We verify each listing manually.
