Mama Bamboo: Pioneering Sustainable Practices in the Nappies and Wipes space
Laura Crawford from Mama Bamboo, one of Bamboo Village's pioneering partners, delves into their journey, achievements, hurdles, and future endeavors.
Mama Bamboo, one of Bamboo Village's pioneering partners, is a brand specializing in eco-friendly nappies and wipes. Committed to revolutionizing the diaper industry and advocating for sustainability, they have become the first European nappy company to achieve B-Corp certification. We recently had a lovely chat with Laura Crawford, the founder and CEO of Mama Bamboo, to delve into their journey, achievements, hurdles, and future endeavors.
Let’s start with a bit of an introduction of Mama Bamboo. Can you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?
Certainly! Mama Bamboo is a B-Corp certified eco-nappies and wipes brand. Our core mission is to reduce the use of plastic and chemicals in the production of nappies and wipes, and provide a sustainable end-of-life solution for all users. We have created eco-friendly nappies and wipes that stand out from conventional options, utilizing plant-based materials, specifically bamboo, for both the product and the packaging. Our manufacturing processes have an immense focus on improved sustainability; soil, water and carbon conservation is key. We acknowledge and carefully monitor our carbon footprint and counterbalance this impact with a partnership with Bamboo Village. This perfectly aligns with our ethos of incorporating bamboo into our products while also supporting afforestation projects with bamboo.
How did you first become acquainted with bamboo and what sparked your interest in utilizing it for your products?
My journey with bamboo actually began through a friend of mine living in Singapore. I remember venting to her about the state of nappies in the UK, and she suggested why not consider bamboo. She enlightened me about how bamboo has been utilized in various products, including nappies and textiles, across Asia for a long time. Intrigued, I embarked on several months of research and discovered the potential to using bamboo to creating a product significantly less detrimental to the environment. Witnessing the extensive adoption of bamboo in the Asian market, where it flourishes abundantly without the need for pesticides, fertilizers, or irrigation, left me pondering: why aren't we all embracing this remarkable plant?
How did you come across Bamboo Village?
We stumbled upon Bamboo Village about five years ago while actively seeking out carbon offset schemes. It was a stroke of luck, really. We were conducting research, and Bamboo Village happened to catch our attention as a perfect match for our sustainability goals. Since then, we’ve been compensating for our CO2 emissions with Bamboo Village every year, and we plan to keep doing so. What's wonderful is the synergy between our use of bamboo in our products and Bamboo Village's mission of carbon removal and environmental preservation through bamboo cultivation. Aligning with an initiative that champions bamboo as a sustainable solution resonates deeply with our own values, and we're excited to continue this collaborative journey towards a greener future.
What are your plans for the upcoming period?
Our immediate focus is conducting a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for our products. Currently, our emphasis lies on analyzing carbon emissions, but we're determined to expand this assessment to encompass all environmental aspects of our products' life cycles, starting with our flagship items, nappies, and wipes.
As we continue to expand our product line, we've introduced Bamboo BabyGrows and started producing bamboo wood products like hairbrushes and toothbrushes. Additionally, we're excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new range of bamboo baby care products in the summer. This collection will include shampoo, baby wash, and lotions, all enriched with bamboo extracts. These products will be vegan, organic, and feature fully circular and refillable bottles, emphasizing sustainability. Notably, we've also partnered with Big Green Smiles, a green marketplace in Europe, marking our first step into retail beyond the UK
What steps have you taken to reduce your emissions?
Our efforts to reduce emissions have been multi-faceted. Firstly, we've transitioned our nappy production to utilizes 50% solar energy, significantly cutting down the carbon footprint of our manufacturing processes. Similarly, for our wipes, we've shifted to a factory operating with 60% solar input, further minimizing our manufacturing impact.
Furthermore, in terms of freight logistics, we've implemented a more efficient approach. Instead of traditional palletized freight, we've switched to loose loading. Upon arrival in the UK, we then palletize the goods. This adjustment has allowed us to maximize space utilization, resulting in a 40% increase in product capacity per shipment. Ultimately, these measures have helped us significantly reduce our carbon footprint associated with shipping.
What are some challenges you've faced in terms of sustainability?
One challenge we've faced revolves around delivery logistics within the UK. Initially, we committed to using an all-electric courier service. However, the reality hit when the costs associated with this eco-friendly option became too high for many customers to afford. Consequently, we made the tough decision to switch to conventional couriers for the majority of our deliveries. While this move has helped alleviate immediate financial hurdles for customers, it's also led to an increase in our carbon footprint within the UK, which is less than ideal.
Despite this shift, we continue to offer green delivery options on our website, giving customers the choice to prioritize sustainability if they're willing to pay the extra cost. Balancing environmental goals with practical considerations remains an ongoing challenge for us.
In wrapping up our conversation with Laura, it's evident that sustainability isn't just a buzzword for their brand—it's a guiding principle deeply embedded in their operations.
From their pioneering use of bamboo in eco-friendly nappies and wipes to their partnership with Bamboo Village for balancing their carbon emissions, Mama Bamboo is at the forefront of sustainable innovation in the industry.
