Executive Summary

Moo & Yoo has always been driven by a commitment to sustainability, ethical
practices, and community engagement. Over the past year, we have made
significant strides in reducing our environmental impact, supporting social causes, and fostering economic sustainability. This report outlines the tangible outcomes of our initiatives, reflecting our dedication to creating a
positive impact on the world around us.

1. Environmental Impact

Carbon Footprint Reduction

Total Emissions: For the fiscal year 2022-2023, Moo & Yoo’s total carbon emissions were 42.1 tonnes CO2e​ (carbon footprint report available on request).

Offset Initiatives

Through our partnership with One Tree Planted, we planted 450 trees, which offset approximately 4.5 tonnes of CO2.

Non-Aerosol Products

Our commitment to avoiding aerosols has eliminated potential pollutants associated with traditional hair sprays, further reducing our carbon footprint. Customer feedback from salon focus groups highlighted the eco-friendly nature of our non-aerosol hair sprays, reinforcing our decision to avoid harmful aerosols​.

Packaging

We have successfully transitioned to glass bottles and aluminium lids, reducing plastic usage across our product range. This initiative has been well-received by customers, as evidenced by positive feedback and an increase in product reusability​.

Plastic Elimination and Reusability

By using glass for all our containers and offering aluminium lids, we have drastically reduced plastic waste. Additionally, we encourage customers to reuse the plastic pumps, further minimising waste​.

Environmental Awareness Campaigns

Our Earth Day and sustainability-focused blogs have reached thousands, educating our community about the importance of reducing plastic waste and embracing eco-friendly alternatives​.

Sustainable Sourcing

Our sourcing of ingredients like Marula Oil from a women’s cooperative in Africa not only supports sustainable agricultural practices but also empowers local communities. This ethical sourcing is a cornerstone of our environmental strategy​.

Our priority to the sourcing of Ecocert/Cosmos ingredients ensures a high level of ethical and environmental responsibility.

Future Goals

Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Further innovate in packaging to eliminate the remaining traces of plastic.

Explore renewable energy options for production to reduce our carbon footprint further.

2. Social Impact

Community Engagement

Beach Cleanups

Our beach cleanup events have resulted in the collection of significant amounts of waste, helping protect marine life and maintain the natural beauty of our coastlines.

Charitable Support

We continue to support local charities like Women’s Aid in Edinburgh and Mind Out, contributing not just funds but also awareness through our social media and email campaigns.

International Women’s Day

As a female-owned business, we celebrated International Women’s Day by highlighting the importance of women in business and offering a special giveaway to support and uplift women in our community​.

Employee Well-Being

Four-Day Workweek

The introduction of a four-day workweek has improved employee satisfaction and work-life balance. Employees have reported increased productivity and better mental health as a result of this initiative​.

Wellness Initiatives

Our “Wellness Wednesdays” have become a staple of our company culture, with activities like yoga and mindfulness sessions helping to reduce stress and improve overall well-being​.

Inclusive Workplace

We continue to prioritise diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment where all employees feel valued. Our Pride Month and International Women’s Day campaigns reflect our commitment to supporting diversity both within our company and in the broader community.

Future Goals

Expand community engagement through more frequent and diverse initiatives.

Enhance employee well-being programmes, exploring additional mental health support and flexible working arrangements.

Strengthen our partnerships with local and global charities to amplify our social impact.

3. Economic Impact

BCorp Certification Progress

Current Status: We are actively working towards BCorp certification, which will validate our commitment to balancing profit with purpose. This certification process has already led to improvements in how we measure and report our social and environmental performance.

Ethical Sourcing and Fair Trade

Our ongoing relationship with the women’s cooperative in Africa, from which we source our Marula Oil, continues to provide economic stability and empowerment to the women involved. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to ethical business practices that contribute positively to global communities​.

Market Expansion

By expanding our distribution through retailers with similar values (Plastic Freedom, Peace with the Wild etc), we have been able to reach international customers while maintaining our focus on
sustainable practices. These partnerships not only drive economic growth but also align with our values of quality and sustainability.

Future Goals

Complete the BCorp certification to further establish our reputation as a leader in sustainable business practices.

Continue to expand our market reach in ways that align with our sustainability goals, such as exploring more ethical partnerships and distribution channels.

Invest in local sourcing where possible to reduce transportation emissions and support local economies.

4. Product Impact

Customer Feedback and Product Innovation

Our ongoing product testing, including the feedback from salon focus groups, has led to significant product improvements. For example, the shift to non-aerosol sprays was directly influenced by customer feedback, demonstrating our commitment to meeting consumer needs while staying true to our sustainability goals​.

Sustainability in Design

The redesign of our packaging to use glass and aluminium has been widely appreciated, both
for its environmental benefits and its aesthetic appeal. This change has
contributed to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty​.

Education and Awareness

Blogs and Campaigns

Our educational content, including blogs on sustainability and wellness, has been
instrumental in raising awareness among our customers. These efforts have not only helped build a community of like-minded individuals but also encouraged more sustainable consumer behaviours.

Future Goals

Continue to innovate based on customer feedback, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of sustainability and quality.

Expand our educational outreach, offering more resources and tools for customers to live sustainably.

5. Challenges and Lessons Learned

Resource Limitations

Sourcing high-quality, sustainable materials at a competitive cost remains a challenge, particularly as a small business. We have learned the importance of balancing quality with affordability to remain competitive while staying true to our values.

Supply Chain Complexities

Managing a supply chain that meets our sustainability criteria is complex, especially when working with global partners. However, these challenges have also driven us to be more innovative and resilient, finding new ways to ensure our supply chain aligns with our ethical standards.

Future Goals

Address the challenges of sourcing by building stronger relationships with suppliers and exploring alternative materials that meet our sustainability criteria.

Continue to refine our supply chain processes to ensure they are as sustainable and efficient as possible.

Conclusion

Over the past year at Moo & Yoo, we have made significant strides in reducing our environmental impact, supporting social causes, and growing our business
sustainably. We are proud of the progress we have made, but we recognise that there is always more to do. We remain committed to our mission of creating products that benefit people, the planet, and our communities. With the support of our stakeholders, we will continue to strive for even greater impact in the
years to come.

Thank you for being part of our journey.