From Idea to Production
Our Design
The 9 key elements of Net Zero Co. Product Design
Effective
Does it solve a specific wasteful problem? The key elements of the product should work symbolically.
Simple
What features can we eliminate while maximizing functionality? “Simplicity yields a richer result.” (Zen Philosophy)
Durable
Is it built to last? All parts should wear out at the same time after a long life.
Authentic
Does it suit our customers’ creative lifestyles? Our products are designed for our core customer.
Timeless
Is the aesthetic appealing as trends pass? A product should be durable both physically and in time.
Material
Is it made with approved materials, best suited for the function, and with minimal waste? All materials are chosen to prevent unnecessary harm.
Safe
Does it align with our banned list of ingredients? Any inconveniences to groups of people should be considered (e.g. sensitive skin).
Easy care
Is it easy to clean and reuse? A reusable that is easy to care for is more likely to be chosen for use compared to it’s wasteful counterpart.
End-of-life
Can it be refilled, composted, or recycled? All end-of-life information is available at it’s own product page.
We've got a knack for challenges and finding a new path to solve them.
Our research and development team researches, designs and tests product ideas to bring to the market that will help the Net Zero Fam inch towards an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle.
Here, Nam sits contently after making creating a design that will land in our customers' hands!
We partner with trusted suppliers that meet our ethical standards.
Our products are manufactured across various countries, including: China, Nepal, USA and Canada.
Each of our suppliers must meet our factory audit and Code of Conduct standards to ensure they comply with ethical values including safety, environmental and employee treatment. By doing this, we are able to build and maintain long-term partnerships.
We endeavor for sustainability every year.
We have some ambitious sustainability goals to reach for by 2025.
Our initatives cover objectives in our operations, products, and partnerships.
Our Materials
Material choices have the greatest environmental and human impact in product curation, so we strive for better materials and finishing processes in everything we deliver.
6% Hemp
Did you know? For every ton of hemp produced, 1.8 tons of carbon is removed from the air.
21% Organic Cotton
All our cotton products are handmade and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified. This means that harvesting the raw materials, processing, manufacturing, and creating a final product for our customers follows strict environmental and social guidelines.
1% Linen
Linen comes from the flax plant. This zero-waste fabric is lightweight but extremely strong, making it versatile for anything from bags to clothing to curtains.
19% Silicone
A component of silicon comes from silicon dioxide, which is extracted from beach sand. It’s flexible, stretchy, and does not contain harmful chemicals contained in plastics, such as phthalates and bisphenol A.
Silicone can be recycled multiple times without losing much of its structural integrity.
5% Plastics
The plastics in our products come from from several forms, such as conventional plastic from petroleum and bioplastics from starch compounds.
Some parts, such as the casing of our BubblyStraws or sliders of our Silicone Food Storage Bag–utilize plastic due to its superior material characteristics where we need the flexibility and durability while being completely rust and corrosion resistant.
This is a material that we use as a last resort, and we ensure that when we do use it, it’s meant to serve long-term.
19% Stainless Steel
We default to 304-grade stainless steel due to its excellent corrosion resistance and rust resistance.
All the stainless stell we use is food-grade and medical-grade, depending the product.
13% Bamboo
Did you know? Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world–recorded growing 47 inches in a 24-hour period.
We love bamboo because of its fast-growing characteristics and antibacterial properties that prevent mold growth. It’s also amazing at releasing oxygen into the atmosphere!
9% Glass
Glass is easily repurposable, infinitely recyclable, and transparent, which motivates us to utilize it in various products in our food and drink categories.
4% PLA
Polylactic acid is used as an alternative to petroleum-derived conventional plastic. PLA requires a controlled environment to biodegrade in a notable length of time.
All our compostable bin liners are BPI certified and home compostable.
1% Beech Wood
Sustainably sourced beech wood is not listed in the CITES Appendices (endangered species index). Due to it’s medium density and hardness, it’s versatile for various interior items.
We recognize that to retain the quality of beech wood, it should be kept dry between uses. In our next iteration of our cleaning brushes, we plan to opt for bamboo.
1% Beeswax
The beeswax we use on our food wraps are ethically sourced from traceable farms. They comply with FDA standards.
As our beeswax wraps are made with only two major ingredients (beeswax and cotton), it is completely compostable once it reaches the end-of-life.
1% Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel is zinc-coated steel, which prevents rusting.
The manufacturing process is easier than stainless steel, reducing error during manufacturing and minimizing products that are “defected”.
We opt for using stainless steel whenever possible, but for certain products, galvanized steel is the better option.
Kitchen
Phthalates
Use: To make plastics more flexible and durable.
Found in: Plastic food packaging, fluid bags, cosmetics, and more.
Reason: May damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system. Risk found in unborn babies, kids in puberty, and adult women.
On The Go
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Use: To make a hard, clear plastic.
Found in: Baby bottles, reusable water bottles, food containers, and more.
Reason: Endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive disorders.
Cleaning
1,4 Dioxane
Use: Stabilizer for chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethane and trichloroethylene. May be an unwanted by-product.
Found in: Shampoos, detergents, and cleaning products.
Reason: Eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation. Carcinogen linked to liver and kidney toxicity.
Butoxyethanol
Use: To dissolve substances in formulas.
Found in: Paint strippers, thinners, and household cleaners
Reason: Harms the eyes, skin, kidneys, and blood.
Self Care
Microbeads
Use: Mild abrasive, as fillers, or to create “gloss”.
Found in: Cleansers, exfoliants, cosmetics, and more.
Reason: Microplastics in the sewer and possibly end up in the ocean
Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Use: Aggressive surfactant for cleaning.
Found in: Shampoos, shower gels, facial cleaners, and more.
Reason: May cause irritation if exposed to the skin.
Mineral Oil
Use: Formulated in topical products to help reduce water loss from skin. Derived from petroleum
Found in: Moisturizers, ointments, lip balms, and more.
Reason: May cause burning, stinging, redness, or irritation.
Parabens
Use: Preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria or mold.
Found in: Shampoo and conditioners, lotions, cosmetics, and more.
Reason: May cause itching, blisters, dry skin, swelling, or burning.
Triclosan (TCS)
Use: To reduce odors or bacterial contamination.
Found in: Body washes, deodorants, toothpastes, and more.
Reason: Interferes with thyroid hormone metabolism and a potential endocrine disruptor. Exposure at young age increases the chance of developing allergies, asthma and eczema.
Our Product Education
We do our best to educate on why we use the materials we do, such as silicone. In addition, each product page is equipped with product "care" and "end-of-life" instructions.
The process involved in the production is just as important.
Vegan Lip Balms
Our lip balms are made in the NC, USA and consist of natural ingredients that are hand poured at the factory.
Konjac Sponges
Our konjac sponges are made with konjac from the Yunnan Province of Southeast China, They are poured into a mold before they are fermented, frozen, and dried.
Wool Dryer Balls
Our dryer balls are made with 100% New Zealand wool that is handmade by in Nepal. Each marine design is hand-felted by artisans.
Product Certifications
Our cotton products are GOTS certified.
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. This certification requires companies to meet criteria covering “production, processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, exportation, importation and distribution of all natural fibre products.”
Our compostable bags comply with BPI standards.
BPI stands for Biodegradable Products Institute. This standard exists to verify that packaging products compost completely and safely in municipal and commercial compost facilities.
Our silicone products are FDA approved.
The FDA represents the Food and Drug Administration, a review board in the US that regulates and assesses products in order for them to be food-safe.
Our wool product is GoodWeave certified.
The GoodWeave label means that there was no child or forced labor in the making of a certified product. They support programs that educate children and bring safe work.