Rebbl’s super herb elixirs, plant-based proteins, and Sparkling Prebiotic Tonics feature functional ingredients like turmeric, matcha, yerba mate, ashwagandha and maca. The brand was founded by global non-profit Not for Sale (NFS) to help fight human trafficking.
The company's newest sustainability commitment is replacing their current packaging with 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles, expected for early 2020. Rebbl said it’s been a longtime goal, and they worked with a team of environmental and packaging design experts and the Climate Collaborative.
“By switching 20 million Rebbl bottles annually to 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, greenhouse gas emissions have the potential to be reduced by 922 tons of CO2, or roughly the same amount of carbon sequestered by 1,086 acres of US forests in one year,” Rebbl said.
There is also the potential for water consumption to be reduced by 33% and fossil fuel consumption to be reduced by up to 26.6MJ, which is enough to power 680 average US homes for a year. Rebbl said it’s looking into cutting back on shipping distances and food waste.
The company’s biggest environmental concerns are centered around packaging, shipping and food waste. Rebbl wants to reverse the cycle of waste by eliminating plastics that cannot be recycled, preventing packaging from going into landfills and developing compostable closed-loop pack solutions.
They acknowledge that plastic is the only current bottling option for Rebbl products, so the team worked to improve what they have to work with. The new design eliminates virgin plastic, ensures the bottles are locally made and lightens and reduces the amount of cardboard shipping cases.
Purchasing power drives impact
Since 2013, Rebbl has sold nearly 20 million products and donated over $1 million to NFS, ultimately helping 20,000 people out of trafficking, the brand said. Rebbl’s supply chain includes 29 countries and 70 organic ingredients.
In the impact report, Rebbl said it directly supported 12,000 small holder farmers on more than 40,000 acres during 2018.
Jessica Hayes, Global Sourcing Manager at Rebbl, said "Businesses are waking up to the truth that their purchasing power can drive very real and positive impacts around the globe. This can be seen in companies choosing to buy crops grown using carbon farming practices to help combat climate change, or in companies ensuring their supply chains support fair labor practices and are free from forced and child labor.”
“By committing to using organic ingredients, supporting regenerative agriculture, building transparent supplier relationships, and supporting fair labor practices, Rebbl is taking a stance and we're raising our hands for a healthy, vibrant future – for our communities and our planet.”
In 2020, Rebbl plans to continue projects that reduce water, energy and food waste in its product manufacturing; extend its ‘Supplier Ethos’ ethical sourcing model and contract third-party verification of ingredients performance; and help more than 10,000 individuals with financial support from Not For Sale.
