The planet is always on our mind, making Earth Day every day. 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.
Green Bio-based Bottles and Packaging
- We’ve switched our 8 oz. single serve and 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 and upcycled materials whenever possible, from serve-ware such as cups, spoons, straws. Our napkins at events are made from 100% recycled, unbleached paper.
- Lifeway ProBugs are now made with post-consumer recycled content. The new caps contain 30% less plastic than the current cap.
- There are no PFAs in any of our food processing equipment or packaging at Lifeway.
- And of course, Lifeway products are made 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 natural ingredients that aren’t genetically modified. We’re always 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 Lifeway Foods has procured 76,266 MWh of Green-e Certified RECs from Schneider Electric. The avoided GHG emissions associated with this initiative is 31,796 MTCO2e. According to the EPA, this action is equivalent to the carbon emissions avoided by not burning 175 railcars of coal or the electricity generated annually by 8.4 industrial scale wind turbines. The GHG emissions avoidance associated with the Lifeway Foods green power initiative is equal to the carbon sequestered by 525,743 tree seedlings grown for 10-years or 37,122 acres of U.S. forest annually.
- LED light replacement in Niles, IL warehouse facility using 100% ComEd incentives. This will equate to 65% energy savings with new LED lights and we will continue replacement project at other locations.
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 mean tasty kefir for you, too.
- We also offer USDA Organic certified products including our organic lowfat and whole milk kefir varieties, Grassfed organic kefir, 3.5 ounce probiotic kefir functional shots, and our ProBugs products for kids (and kids at heart!).
Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
- Try our Blueberry Cloud Smoothie or our Ocean Swirl Smoothie.
- Start a home garden.
- Find a way to reuse common household products you already use, such as glass containers that you can use for many types of needs.
- Cut the lights off when you leave a room.
- Open a window to let in fresh air instead of running the AC.
- Visit a local plant conservatory.
- Start recycling this week and continue throughout the year. You can find your local recycling center easily online!
- Create a meatless meal for dinner. We have so many delicious meatless options to choose from here!
We hope you have a wonderful Earth Day and find your own ways to celebrate. If you need more inspiration, check out all our recipes here, and be sure to stay up to date with us on social media at Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Facebook. Use the hashtag #LoveYourGuts and #LifewayLovesYourGuts to share your recipes with us!