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Natio is proud to be partnering with Australian charity Lighthouse Foundation to support its mission to end youth homelessness.
As one of Australia’s leading cosmetics and skincare brands, Natio has today (27 April) launched its new kids range and committed a cash donation to help Lighthouse Foundation deliver its life-changing programs.
Lighthouse Foundation has been providing homes and tailored care to young Victorians for more than 31 years, with a range of programs including Lighthouse Homes, Foster Care & Family Support and In Community
Natio will also gift young people in Lighthouse’s care with products and deliver skincare workshops to help build confidence.
Natio Managing Director Mahesh Ross says the partnership is an opportunity to enrich the lives of young people and establish a strong link between the two organisations.
“Over the years, Natio has supported Lighthouse Foundation and its Founder Susan in a variety of ways. This is the first time we are formalising our ongoing partnership and we look forward to integrating this campaign into many facets of Natio’s daily operations,” says Mr Ross.
Susan Barton AM, Founder of Lighthouse, says Natio has already shown its commitment to helping young people doing it tough.
“Natio’s Founder Max held the hand of one of Lighthouse’s vulnerable young people at their greatest time of need and his direct support changed this person’s life. We can trust that he, and the Natio team, will continue to hold our hand on the journey of ending youth homelessness together,” says Ms Barton.
“Together, we will make a difference and care for many more vulnerable children. By spreading the word and inviting a wider group of people to connect as a community, we’re enabling these kids to feel they are loved and belong because protecting children is everybody’s business.”
Natio delivered its first cosmetics and skincare education workshop at one of Lighthouse’s Parents and Babies homes last month. Its new kids range of bath, body and pure essential oil blends has been specially designed for toddlers through to tweens.
“The Natio kids collection is built on the principles of happiness within the home and the team at Lighthouse work tirelessly to provide consistent and safe spaces for the young people in their care. For us it was a no-brainer to use this collection as an opportunity to amplify the outstanding work done at Lighthouse,” says Mr Ross.
Natio customers will have the opportunity to support Lighthouse with a donation at checkout available on the Natio website throughout 2023.
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With a philosophy that has always been guided by a connection to the Earth and deep appreciation for nature, Natio has chosen to play a part in the solution towards a healthier planet.
Together with its tube supplier Impact International, Natio is part of a forest initiative that offsets the carbon from the manufacture of 100ml tubes. The Impact Forest has now been sequestering carbon since it was planted 22 years ago, capturing close to 18,000 tonnes of carbon. Radiator pines last up to 80 years when cared for, so we can expect another 62-70 years of growth and storage of carbon in the future.
With an estimated 20,000 pine trees 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 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.
Recently some of the team members from the Natio head office team were lucky enough to attend the tree planting day. Approximately 60 people helped to plant 8,500+ trees, made up of 6,500 Pinus radiata seedings and 2,000 native Eucalyptus seedlings. Our team had a momentous day planting trees and being immersed in nature. One of the highlights was touring the existing Natio forest plot, which is rich with tree species and animal habitat.
Australia’s minister for Climate Change and Energy the Honourable Chris Bowen MP spoke with us on the challenges we face tackling climate change - he also confirmed he is a regular user of the Natio Daily Defence Face Moisturiser SPF 50+! We also heard from Impact International’s soil physicist (Holly) and forest expert (David) on how trees help improve soil quality and rehabilitate landscapes.
It may only be a small contribution in the bigger scheme of things, 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.
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This Christmas, many of us are approaching the Christmas festivities more sustainably. From giving gifts to what we eat, we are all playing a part in cherishing memories and moments with loved ones, whilst also being kind to Mother Earth. Here are some tried and tested ways to enjoy this season with friends and family without costing our planet.
Quality not Quantity
It’s a simple start, but when buying gifts, think “less is better” and focus on quality that will last, or offer a solution to the giver. With this in mind all Natio gift sets are made in Australia to reduce our carbon footprint and minimise shipping. Pick a gift that the receiver will love and use, and reduce the chances of gifts going to waste. Why not spoil loved ones with the gift of glowing skin and gift the Blossoming Beauty gift set with the Natio signature Aromatherapy 1-2-3 skincare routine.
Think about materials
World Wildlife Fund advises that we look at materials that gifts are made from to keep sustainability front of mind. Paper gifts and boxes can be made from recycled materials, or Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) materials are a good sustainable choice. Avoid single use plastics items that cannot be recycled. The Forest Mist Natio for Men Gift set is a great option as it is presented in a recycled, locally made presentation box which can easily be recycled in your curbside recycling. The set includes a Daily Face Wash and 100% biodegradable konjac sponge which can be composted with your veggie, fruit and plant remains once you have finished using it!
Reduced packaging
You can also reduce waste by buying gifts that come in little to no packaging. Avoid plastic where possible and use reusable bags to carry your shopping home or choose online retailers who ship products to you in sustainable packaging options - like recycled paper or cornstarch beads in place of plastic bubble wrap. The Natio x Lamai Anne Christmas collection offers lovingly created gifts that include recycled or reusable components, and packaging to help you feel good about gifting to loved ones. Perhaps try Graceful Gum from the Natio Spirit range which features 3 full sized bath and body treats as well as a sisal exfoliating sponge in a reusable cosmetic bag.
Celebrating with food
When it comes to food waste in Australia on average, we annually waste close to 312kg of food per person, this has an impact not only on our environment but also our spending. Try to cut any waste by planning ahead – be realistic about how much food you need and plan ways to use up leftovers. If you can focus on seasonally available fresh foods, not only will this be a great way to minimise spending, but the food will be the freshest – also consider shipping and the environmental impacts of importing foods that aren’t in season locally.
Considered Decorating
Use the ethos of “quality not quantity.” Use, create and upcycle as many decorations as possible. Reusing ornaments is not only positive for the environment but also offer yearly family traditions that can be cherished. Try and avoid any single use plastics, focus instead on materials that can be reused season on season. And don’t forget to think about your Christmas lights! Using LED lights on your Christmas tree uses less energy, lasts longer, and looks just as effective as traditional lights.
We hope you can see how easy it is to make some simple swaps for a happy, and more sustainable Christmas this year. Wishing you and your family a peaceful and joy filled festive season.
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Each year, Earth Day offers an opportunity to pause and truly reflect on our planet - to celebrate its beauty and its bounty, but also - critically - to actively consider its struggles and the support it needs from us.
Earth Day 2022 calls on individuals to “Invest In Our Planet”, promoting the cumulative power of each individual to take actions that create a ripple effect of widespread change.
Empowerment begins with knowing that every small change can help to make a big difference.
At Natio, we aim to produce beauty-care products which “tread lightly, nourish gently and bring a smile to your face”. We also aim to cherish our natural world. Balancing our business objectives with our commitment to nature is a complex task, however we are proud of the inroads we have made so far and the path we are on. Our support of local forestry and wildlife rehabilitation initiatives, plus our commitment to solar-powered operations have created some meaningful change already, and we look forward to implementing ongoing improvement and expansion in environmental initiatives into the future.
Packaging, in particular, presents significant opportunity for positive change. Natio is continuously striving to improve the sustainability of packaging and become ever more friendly to our environment.
Already, Natio’s packaging demonstrates our commitment to sustainable forestry practices with recycled paper a priority where viable, and all virgin paper packaging materials certified for sustainable forest management.
In terms of plastic, Natio products increasingly utilise a mix of recyclable, reusable, recycled and biodegradable materials to help alleviate “plastic pollution” in the environment.
Natio’s more sustainable packaging efforts are most evident in our newest ranges - such as Spa, Spirit, Calm and Clear - with packaging made from at least 82% recycled plastic and sustainable materials such as renewable sugarcane, and with recycling symbols designed to facilitate correct disposal after use.
We look forward to supporting positive change and empowering our customers to make more sustainable choices through ongoing packaging innovation, as it becomes available. Every positive action creates a meaningful ripple towards supporting and preserving our precious home.
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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.
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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.
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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/
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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/
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