Happy Earth Month!

At Apoterra, we seek to not only live in reciprocity with the planet, but to be regenerative in our actions. Interconnectedness with nature is the lifeblood of our brand—bringing you the freshest, most potent natural healing that the earth has to offer, while leaving the earth better than we found it. 

This Earth Month, we are beyond happy to announce that we met a longterm goal of our company to become carbon and plastic negative by 2025. (If you’ve been here a while, you may remember that we announced this goal in 2023!) We are so grateful to our customers who made this possible! 

Today, we sat down with our founder and CEO, Dominique Caron, to find out how we achieved this goal and ways to be more mindful of the environment. Read on to learn about Apoterra’s impact, and what you can do to be part of it this year! 

Q: HI DOMINIQUE! VERY EXCITING NEWS THAT APOTERRA IS NOW CARBON AND PLASTIC NEGATIVE! CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT HOW THIS MILESTONE WAS ACCOMPLISHED? 

A: When I founded Apoterra in 2012, my mission was to create a brand that was regenerative, meaning it had a positive impact on the environment. In theory, this concept is simple, but in reality it is very complex to measure and achieve. 

The first step to this new milestone was to measure our carbon emissions & plastic impact—from sourcing, to manufacturing and distribution. We found a partner, Bluebird Climate, to help us measure our carbon & plastic footprint. Once we understood our footprint, we were able to choose partners to help us offset them. 

Q: HOW DOES REMOVING CARBON AND PLASTIC FROM THE ENVIRONMENT HELP THE PLANET? 

A: Carbon emissions are a leading cause of climate change. By offsetting our carbon emissions via planting forest gardens alongside our partner TREES, we help sequester more carbon than we create, theoretically resulting in less carbon emissions than if we didn’t exist. 

Plastic waste is polluting our oceans, rivers, & soil, harming wildlife and eco-systems. Plastic also breaks down into microplastic over time, making its way into our water, food and air. By funding a project called rePurpose that recovers ocean-bound plastic, we are remediating preventing plastic pollution, removing more plastic from the environment than the minimal amount we distribute through our products.

Q: WHAT OTHER SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES ARE PART OF APOTERRA’S ETHOS? 

A: Besides offsetting our emissions & plastic waste, we chose to minimize our impact as well through our choice of packaging & shipping materials. For instance, we package in glass bottles and jars instead of plastic. We also ship plastic-free.

We try to minimize our impact elsewhere by sourcing organically grown, certified sustainable & fair trade ingredients where possible. We also avoid petroleum-derived & environmentally toxic ingredients.

Q: FOR SOMEONE WHO’S NOT SURE WHERE TO START, CAN YOU RECOMMEND SOME SMALL SUSTAINABLE HABITS THAT ADD UP OVER TIME? 

A: Sustainability, to me, is about caring both for ourselves and for the planet. It’s not just about cutting waste or carbon—it’s about protecting what makes life beautiful and livable: clean air, clean water, healthy food & a thriving environment. Without these essentials, true wellness just isn’t possible.

Beyond the usual recommendations of switching to reusable bags, bottles & containers and recycling properly, here are a few small, meaningful habits that support both your well-being and the world we share:

1. Unplug Idle Electronics

Even when turned off, devices like toasters, chargers, and TVs use “phantom” energy. Unplugging or using a power strip saves energy and money in seconds.

2. Simplify Your Skincare

Choose fewer high-quality products made with ingredients that nourish your skin, have versatile uses, and respect the planet. When you resist getting sucked into changing trends, you’ll reduce waste—and give your skin barrier space to breathe and heal!

3. Be Conscious of Packaging

Every time you choose a refillable, recyclable, or plastic-free option, you’re casting a vote for a cleaner future. It’s a small choice with a big ripple effect. When it comes to beauty products, any brand empties that aren’t curbside recyclable can often be recycled with our partner Pact Collective. (We’ll also send you 25% off for participating!)

4. Choose Your Brands Mindfully

When you’re looking to try new brands, take 5 minutes to read up on the company’s ethos and policies. Choosing brands with transparent practices that are taking action for the planet can make a big impact over time. (Bonus points for shopping local and supporting small businesses!)

5. Clear Out Your Inbox & Cloud Storage

Every email, file, and photo stored online uses energy in data centers. Delete what you no longer need and unsubscribe from unnecessary emails—fewer emails = less carbon.

6. Be Mindful with AI & Streaming

AI tools and HD video streaming use significant energy. Use AI purposefully, and opt for standard resolution when HD isn’t necessary to reduce your digital footprint.

Q: LASTLY, CAN YOU SHARE WHAT SUSTAINABILITY MEANS TO YOU PERSONALLY?

A: Sustainability for me is about creating a better future for all. Without clean air, clean water, healthy food & a nourishing environment, life on this planet will be miserable. Growth and innovation are great things, but not at the cost of our health or future. We need to hold onto what is meaningful and good in our changing world—a life in harmony with nature, recognizing our part in it—in pursuit of reciprocity with the planet we call home.