Christmas has always been a time for giving, but this year there’s a growing trend for thinking deeper about what that really means and finding joy in more meaningful ways.

A considered Christmas is one that might still capture the hearts of little ones and see the family gather to share in the joy of the festive season, but each and every one of us also has the opportunity to do our part to minimise waste, care for the planet and those less fortunate in the community. Whether you set aside some spare toys, food at the local supermarket or think about ways to reduce waste as the presents pile up under the tree, there are many things we can all do to spread the love and tread lightly on the planet this Christmas.

One small way that Natio is contributing to a more sustainable Christmas this year, is by ensuring that our new ‘Made for Giving’ gift set collection packaging is free from PVC and single use plastics. Each set has been mindfully created with beautiful bags and boxes, designed to be re-used well beyond the festive season. All our gift sets include recycled packaging components and recyclable or reusable packaging to help reduce our impact on the environment.

We may not be saving the planet, but again, it’s another step in the right direction toward helping create a more considered approach to the most wonderful time of the year, and beyond.

Coupled with our commitment to never test on animals, running our headquarters on solar power and our support for a number of charitable causes, we hope to inspire others in the community to think of ways we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.

As we all know, a warming planet presents an ominous future - it means rising sea levels, increased frequency and intensity of weather events (fires, floods, cyclones droughts), ocean acidification and species loss, all of which puts our health, livelihoods, food security, freshwater supply and sustainable development at risk.

The most recent IPCC report stated that global warming is likely to reach 1.5° C between 2030 and 2050 of it continues at the current rate. However… limiting global warming to 1.5° C compared to 2° C could make a significant impact. The next 2-3 years are a critical window when many of the policy and investment decisions that are made will shape the future of our planet.

As part of Natio’s commitment to the environment, the family-owned business has recently invested heavily in its own solar energy. In 2019, 264 solar panels were installed across the sprawling rooftop above Natio headquarters and warehouse facilities. The output is enough to cover both its head office and distribution centre’s power needs, with enough spare to feed back into the grid.

“The installation is just one way we can ensure we are doing our bit to work towards a carbon neutral future. We wanted not only to produce enough energy to service our own needs here in Melbourne, but to be able to feed additional power back into the grid” says Natio Managing Director, Mahesh Ross.

Describing the new panels atop Natio HQ, Ross added “It's a small contribution, but they all add up. Producing this energy using solar panels saves more than 80 tonnes of carbon emissions from going into the atmosphere each year.”

Back in 2009, there were just 85,000 solar systems connected to the mains grid in Australia. Fast forward to 2021 and more than 2.65 million solar panel systems have been installed on rooftops throughout the nation and gigawatts if large scale solar energy projects are in place, being developed or in the pipeline. This move towards a cleaner future has been spearheaded by innovative industry leaders. Natio is proud to be in the company of these leaders wanting to ensure they do their bit to secure a carbon neutral Australia for generations to come.

Fortunately, participating in the growth of solar is something we can all participate in. Homes can now be fitted with solar panels, and most local governments are still offering generous rebates for this who invest in the clean energy solution.

Perhaps Natio’s rooftop revolution will inspire others in the community to consider the option themselves, as well as take comfort in knowing that Natio, too, are keen to keep finding new ways to make this world a better place.

“From investing in renewable energy, to revising and recycling materials wherever possible, Natio is committed to reducing our environmental footprint across the entire business” says Ross.

In what has since been described as one of Australia’s greatest natural disasters, the devastating bushfires of Summer 2019/20 decimated native flora, fauna and communities across many parts of the country.

One area hit especially hard was New South Wales’ South-East coast where the blazes not only left thousands of residents out of home, but tragically also claimed the lives of billions of animals in the region too.

With a proud history of loving animals and the devastated region - in fact, a “home away from home” for three generations of Natio’s founding family - Natio felt compelled to offer assistance in a meaningful way. In the months following the blaze, the family-owned skincare and cosmetics brand reached out to the Wildlife Rescue South Coast and formed a powerful partnership to support the volunteers in their bushfire response.

Operating 24 hours a day through 100% volunteer contributions, the WRSC is dedicated to the rehabilitation and rescue of animals along the coastline.These fires were the worst they had responded to since the organisation was formed more than 30 years ago.

With Natio’s funding and support, food and formula were made available to the orphaned and injured animals in the WRSC’s care.

“The contribution Natio made was incredible and greatly received” says WRSC volunteer Janine Davies, who has been with the organisation for nearly a decade.

“Wildlife groups like us are entirely volunteer based, with no government funding. The donation went directly towards critical needs for thousands of displaced and injured animals in our care. The food and formula went straight into the mouths of kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, birds, flying foxes and man other injured species.”

Natio also called on its vast community of more than 60,000 customers and friends to inform themselves of the WRSC’s efforts to help to continue to raise valuable funds towards the cause.

In heartening news, residents have reported that just in the last few months, they are starting to see eucalyptus leaves sprouting from the ashes of burnt-out trees - a sign of new life, bringing fresh hope to those who’ve witnessed so much devastation in their region.

If you’d like to contribute to the efforts of the WRSC, you can go to their website at: https://www.wildlife-rescue.org.au/

With a philosophy that has always been guided by a connection to the Earth and deep appreciation for nature, Natio is choosing to play a part in the solution towards a healthier planet. The Australian, family-owned business understands that even the small choices it makes as a business can generate big ripples.

To date, Natio has implemented a number of initiatives around native wildlife rescue, recycling packaging reform and renewable energy (with the Australian head office and warehouse now solar powered.) And now, Natio has also joined a an exciting world-first sustainability packaging initiative.

Together with its tube supplier Impact International, Natio is part of a forest initiative that offsets the carbon from the manufacture of its 100ml tubes, used widely across the Natio range to hold cleansers, moisturisers, masks, Suncare and more.

With an estimated 20,000 pine tress and other native vegetation on the Impact International Forest site, the carbon emissions from the manufacture of up to 30 million tubes can be offset, each and every year.

Impact International Managing Director, Aleks Lajovoic, said by participating in the sustainable forest program, Natio has "access to the most sustainable tubes available in the world, plus are helping to protect native wildlife".

In addition to reducing Natio’s emissions through carbon offsetting, the 114 acre forest is also home to dozens of animal species, including kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, wallabies, turtles and many native birds. Operating and maintaining this forest protects their habitat and provides sanctuary for these species and more. 1,300 native trees will also be preserved, rehabilitated and protected from deforestation through this initiative.

In an ongoing commitment to being a responsible and ethical business, Natio is always looking for viable opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint, and in turn, the business’ impact on the natural environment and global resources.

“The move towards sustainability is evident everywhere - it’s in the media we consume, the industry news we are exposed to and certainly the feedback we receive from our distributors and customers” says Mahesh Ross, Natio Managing Director.

“Individuals are more aware of how their actions impact their own carbon footprint than ever before, and they expect the same from their favourite brands” says Ross.

It may only be a small contribution in the bigger scheme of thing, but by continuing to participate in proactive opportunities to reduce its collective carbon footprint, Natio hopes it can help lead the way to a more sustainable future.

To read more, visit https://impacttubes.com/our-forest/