Every day is Earth Day here at Lifeway. As part of the Lifeway Mission, we’re dedicated to creating products that are good for more than just you. We strive to be good for the environment and our communities, too.
Here are some ways that we celebrate green business practices and dedication to environmental sustainability every day.
Farming
All of Lifeway products use milk from cows that have not been treated with any artificial hormones. That means no rBGH, no rBST, no rB anything – and no antibiotics, either. We also encourage all of our farmers and cooperatives who supply us with milk to support efforts that promote the enhanced welfare of cattle. After all, happy cows means tasty kefir for you, too.
Green Bio-based Bottles
We’ve recently switched our Organic kefir bottles to a more environmentally friendly packaging called green polyethylene, a material that is made of sugarcane, a renewable resource. Green polyethylene is a thermoplastic resin, which means our organic bottles now use plant-based materials rather than petroleum-based. This transition helps us further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and still provide bottles that are safe, BPA-free, and recyclable!
We also use biodegradable plastics whenever possible, from serve-ware such as cups, spoons, straws, and napkins, which are made from 100% recycled, unbleached paper. All of our bottles are 100% recyclable and BPA-free.
All-Natural Ingredients. No Exceptions.
Environmental consciousness isn’t just about monitoring our waste, it’s also about being aware of what we produce, how we produce it, and how it will affect our community for years to come. Our products only contain all-natural ingredients that aren’t genetically modified. We’re consistently working with our suppliers and farmers to make sure we’re getting the best of the best. It’s simple: eating real food is better for you and for the earth.
Renewable Energy
Since 2006, we’ve purchased renewable energy from Renewable Choice Energy to offset 100% of the electricity used to produce our products. This helps Lifeway avoid over 3.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution annually.
“Lifeway buys what are known as renewable energy credits (RECs) from Renewable Choice to offset the environmental impact of its purchased electricity,” says Amy Haddon, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Renewable Choice Energy. “This reduction has the same impact as planting 44,034 tree seedlings and growing them for ten years, or removing 362 cars from the road for a full year.”
Our support of Renewable Choice Energy helps grow renewable energy production here in the US and promotes job growth. It also helps reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and ecosystem degradation.
Chicago Gateway Green
Lifeway also supports Chicago Gateway Green which leads urban beautification and greening projects that make a positive environmental and aesthetic impact on the city of Chicago, leading to improved quality of life through healthier living.
Being a Chicago-based company, we believe it’s important to help our local community and one way to do this is by helping to provide green spaces and keep our city clean.
Are you celebrating Earth Day? Let us know how by visiting us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!