Month: June 2018

Categories
News

Biodegradable vs Compostable

It’s easy to find products labeled eco-friendly or biodegradable, but it is also that easy to print them on products. The term eco-friendly (also environmentally friendly) has been abused since the environmental movement began in the 1960s. It also doesn’t help that the definition is vague – it could mean reduced, minimal, or no harm on the environment. Large corporations have since then used these terms shamelessly having allocated more funds on marketing themselves as green rather than actually exercising green policies. This is called greenwashing.

The term biodegradable describes a material that can be consumed by microorganisms which can break down the material organically… eventually. This process may also produce CO2, vapor, methane, etc. Biodegradable is also easily thrown around. Most plastics are biodegradable, but will it biodegrade? Maybe. With the right conditions. In their own time – it could take 3 months or 300 years. Will they reach the composting facilities? Will they reach the recycling centers? Most will not. It can be seen how the term biodegradable can be misleading.  So what should we look for instead? If you want to be truly eco-friendly, focus instead on what you can actually control. Choose compostable.

Compostable materials produce no methane, which is 25 times the global warming potential of CO2, when decomposing. They leave no toxic residue behind by breaking down into nutrient-rich soil which can be used as fertilizer. Compostable materials should break down in 90 days on average with the right conditions. All compostable materials are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable materials are compostable.

In a fast-paced world, it is easy to be swept by endless options and last-minute decisions. However, it doesn’t hurt to take a second to breathe, and think of the impact of our choices. In fact, it is more helpful to be critical of all our decisions so that we can future-proof our earth not only for the generations to come, but also for nature itself of which we are stewards. Choose compostable. Choose bamboo. Choose karunaki.

If you need a bit more of inspiration, come see what we are up to on our social media channels:
With love and compassion, 
Team Karunaki
Categories
News

The Sun Crew

Karunaki is one of Canada’s first eCommerce companies that cater to environmentally-conscious consumers who are looking for eco-friendly and sustainable options. Our mission is to create a world of compassion and consciousness though our business. We want to make a movement that holds these values higher than the ease of convenience and complacency. Our partners consist of groups and individuals whose principles align with ours. In light of this, Karunaki is happy to announce that a charity has been selected.

The Sun Crew is an environmental non-profit surf organization based in Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines. They use surfing as a tool to build brighter futures for local children, and to protect the environment. They provide free surfboard use and lessons in exchange for the children’s participation in sustainability and education programs. The programs are designed to teach children about the importance of protecting the natural environment, and to give them skills and opportunities that will help alleviate poverty, and then improve their future prospects. The Sun Crew is working to address the environmental and socio-economic threats associated with rapidly expanding tourism, and to ensure that local people are benefactors of tourism on their island.

Photo by pema.travels

Education, sustainability, and empowerment are the three core values of The Sun Crew. They believe that education will build the children’s futures brighter. This will in turn teach them that they have a responsibility to be custodians of Siargao Island (and the environment). Empowering local children with skills and opportunities give them the ability and desire to demand more of themselves and their local communities. The Sun Crew has many projects relating to spreading awareness and accountability of the local children and communities.

Beach clean is one of The Sun Crew’s projects done weekly. Photo by The Sun Crew

Karunaki is honored to support The Sun Crew. We commit to donate 1% of our revenue from online sales to The Sun Crew. We believe all children from all backgrounds deserve real opportunities, and we would like to start with this charity.

For more information on this partnership, please head to our dedicated page for The Sun Crew.

If you need a bit more of inspiration, come see what we are up to on our social media channels:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email us.
With love and compassion, 
Team Karunaki
Categories
News

Karunaki is Coming to Pride Toronto 2018!

Image source

This year marks the first time that an eco-friendly and sustainable section will be available in Pride Toronto 2018. Every year in June, Pride Toronto celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of everyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community. This will be the 38th annual Pride Parade for Toronto, and the 3rd annual Pride Month.

Karunaki is proud to announce that we have been invited to showcase our earth-friendly bamboo straws this coming festival of Pride Toronto on June 22-24, 2018. We are grateful for this privilege to be part of a celebration of all individuals no matter what the differences. We believe that having compassion and a deep respect for everyone are worthy reasons to celebrate and openly support our communities. It is also our belief that we can make a change in the world by caring for our environment, and making more environmentally-conscious choices.

We are also happy to announce that this has given us the opportunity to work with another enterprise that believes in the importance of sustainability. VegHeads is a shop of plant-based food which we believe can sustain the world. VegHeads will have their own booth in Pride Toronto, and this is where you can find and purchase our bamboo straws.

Celebrate diversity and equality with us this June 22-24, 2018, and help the earth by using our bamboo straws. Find us in the VegHeads booth to see the bamboo straws personally, and learn more about how they help the environment. Action = Life is the theme for this year’s Pride. Any small step you take towards a better world will resonate and change the lives of future generations. See you there!

If you need a bit more of inspiration, come see what we are up to on our social media channels:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email us.
With love and compassion, 
Team Karunaki