Introduction

At Moo & Yoo, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in creating products that are not only beneficial for our customers but also for the planet and society. This report provides an overview of our sustainability initiatives, achievements, and future goals, highlighting our commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. 

1. Environmental Sustainability

Key Initiatives

Our environmental sustainability efforts are focused on several key areas:

Sustainable Sourcing

We ensure that our ingredients are sourced responsibly, with a particular emphasis on those certified by Ecocert/COSMOS. We continue to work with the fair trade women’s co-operative in Africa where we source our Marula Oil, ensuring ethical and sustainable practices.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions and have set an ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2030. This includes optimising our manufacturing processes, supply chain, and logistics.

Waste Reduction

We are actively working towards eliminating plastic from our packaging. All products are housed in glass, our outer packaging is plastic-free, and we have introduced an aluminium lid option so that the plastic pump can be re-used. This initiative is a direct result of stakeholder feedback.

Non-Aerosol Products

We have consciously chosen not to use aerosols in any of our products, avoiding the environmental impacts associated with aerosol use. This again is a direct result of stakeholder feedback.

Performance Highlights

Carbon Emissions

For the fiscal year 2022-2023, our total absolute carbon emissions amounted to 42.1 tonnes. We recognise the need to further reduce this figure and are exploring additional measures to achieve our carbon neutrality goal by 2030.

Plastic Reduction

We are committed to being plastic-free and will continue to use glass bottles and jars in our range. In response to stakeholder feedback, we introduced aluminium lids as an alternative to plastic, contributing to our ongoing efforts to minimise plastic use.

Reusable Components

To further reduce waste, we encourage our customers to reuse the plastic pumps and sprays on their bottles, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and waste reduction.

Future Goals

Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Continue to innovate and find alternatives to plastic in all our packaging.

Expand our use of sustainable materials, including biodegradable and compostable options for outer packaging.

Explore renewable energy sources for our operations to further reduce our carbon footprint.

2. Social Responsibility

Community Engagement

At Moo & Yoo, we are deeply committed to giving back to our community and supporting causes that align with our values.

Beach Cleanups

We regularly organise beach cleanups in our local area to help protect marine life and maintain our beautiful coastline.

Charitable Support

We support local charities such as Women's Aid in Edinburgh and Mind Out, an LGBTQ+ mental health charity.

Global Reforestation
Through our partnership with One Tree Planted, we plant a tree for every order placed, contributing to global reforestation efforts.

Educational Blogs

We produce regular blogs focused on wellness, sustainability, and inclusivity. These blogs offer practical advice on living sustainably and highlight important events such as World Environment Day, promoting awareness and action within our community.

Championing Women in Business

As a female-owned business, we actively champion women in business, providing support, resources, and mentorship opportunities to empower female entrepreneurs.

Employee Well-Being

We prioritise the well-being of our employees through several initiatives.

Four-Day Workweek

We have implemented a four-day workweek to promote a better work-life balance, helping employees recharge and stay motivated.

Walking Meetings & Wellness Wednesdays

To encourage physical activity and mindfulness, we have introduced walking meetings and "Wellness Wednesdays," which include yoga and mindfulness sessions. These initiatives help foster a healthy and supportive work environment.

Mental Health Support

In addition to Wellness Wednesdays, we provide resources and support, ensuring that our employees have the tools they need to maintain their mental well-being.

Flexible Working Arrangements

Recognising the importance of work-life balance, we offer flexible working arrangements, allowing employees to manage their work schedules in a way that suits their personal needs.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is enshrined in our Code of Ethics, which emphasises our ongoing efforts to maintain an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. We actively promote diversity through our hiring practices, internal culture, and community initiatives.

Future Goals

Expand our community engagement activities and partnerships with local and global charities.

Enhance our employee well-being programs based on ongoing feedback, including potential new initiatives such as company-wide wellness retreats or additional mental health days.

Continue to prioritise diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our business, with a focus on increasing representation in leadership roles.

3. Economic Sustainability

Key Initiatives

Economic sustainability is essential for ensuring the long-term success of our business while remaining true to our values.

BCorp Certification

We are currently undergoing the BCorp certification process, which reflects our commitment to balancing profit with purpose.

Ethical Sourcing

We source most of our ingredients from suppliers that are Ecocert/COSMOS certified. Our Marula Oil, for example, is sourced from a women’s cooperative in Africa, supporting economic empowerment in the region.

Sustainable Growth

We focus on sustainable business growth, prioritising long-term value over short-term gains. This includes careful selection of partners, suppliers, and markets that align with our ethical and sustainable values.

Product Sustainability

Vegan & Cruelty-Free

All our products are vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free, ensuring that they are ethically produced without harm to animals.

Sustainable Packaging

We continue to explore innovative packaging solutions that minimise environmental impact, including the potential for refillable containers or packaging made from recycled materials.

Future Goals

Achieve BCorp certification to further solidify our commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices.

Continue sourcing high-quality, certified ingredients that support sustainable and ethical practices.

Explore new markets and partnerships that align with our sustainability goals, expanding our reach while maintaining our commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

4.Stakeholder Engagement

Listening and Responding to Feedback

Stakeholder engagement is a cornerstone of our sustainability strategy. We actively seek feedback from our customers, partners, and other stakeholders to inform our decision-making.

Surveys

We conduct regular surveys with our customers and partners to gather insights and feedback.

Product Innovations

Our decision to introduce an aluminium lid option, not use aerosols and participate in the One Tree Planted initiative were direct results of customer feedback.

Transparency

We maintain open lines of communication with our stakeholders, providing regular updates on our sustainability initiatives and progress through our website, newsletters, and social media.

Future Goals

Strengthen our engagement with stakeholders through more frequent and diverse channels, including interactive online forums.

Continue to incorporate stakeholder feedback into our sustainability practices and product offerings, ensuring that our initiatives remain relevant and impactful.

5. Challenges and Future Goals

Challenges

As a small company, we face several challenges in our sustainability journey.

Access to Resources

Sourcing the best ingredients and sustainable materials can be costly and challenging, especially when competing with larger corporations.

Cost of Sustainability

Using glass and certified ingredients is more expensive, making it difficult to compete in a market where price is often a key consideration for consumers.

Supply Chain Complexities

Ensuring that every part of our supply chain aligns with our sustainability goals can be challenging, particularly when working with global suppliers.

Future Goals

Overcome the challenges of sourcing and cost to continue offering sustainable and high-quality products.

Achieve BCorp certification and maintain our commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability.

Expand our sustainability initiatives to include more localised sourcing to reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation.

Strive to be a leader in sustainability within our industry, setting an example for others to follow.

Develop and implement a sustainability training program for employees to ensure that our entire team is aligned with our environmental and social goals.

Conclusion

At Moo & Yoo, we are proud of the progress we have made in our sustainability journey, but we recognise that there is always more to do. We remain committed to our mission of creating sustainable products that benefit people, the planet, and our communities. We look forward to continuing this journey with the support of our stakeholders and achieving even greater milestones in the years to come.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.