WINE CORK CAT TOYS
CORK
The cork we use is harvested in Portugal and printed with food-grade ink before it is marinated in organic catnip.
Cork is an inherently sustainable resource; it is both renewable and biodegradable. During cork bark harvesting not a single tree is cut down nor damaged. The cork oak is a slow growing tree that can live for 200 years, which allows it, on average, to be stripped 16 times during its lifetime.
Cork oak trees in Portugal help offset 10 million tons of carbon annually. Cork forests rank among the most biodiverse zones in the Mediterranean and Europe. They are home to a staggering 135 plant species and 42 bird species, many of which are endangered or critically endangered.
Two issues with our corks: 1) They are not organic (if you know of a supplier, please connect with us! 2) We would eventually like the ink to be more eco-friendly than it is - while food-grade is safe for animals there are better options.
ORGANIC CATNIP
Seasoning
These toys come drenched in organic catnip, which was grown about seventy miles south of us in Rainier, Washington. The specific mixture we use is a potent blend of the leaves and flowers (aka bells) of the plant.
Organic or not, catnip is a very low maintenance crop - it tolerates poor soil and doesn't require much water. The plant is also a favorite amongst pollinators, especially bees.
Many brands use organic catnip, which is great! However, oftentimes, this is the only eco-friendly aspect of their products and they use greenwashing to appear more sustainable than they are - buyer beware!
BIO-PLASTIC
Pouches
Currently, these toys come sealed in a bio-based, compostable laminated film bag to ensure they are kept smothered in organic catnip.
These pouches are vegan, non-GMO, and aren't made with PLA. They do not contain harmful chemicals such as bisphenol (including BPA and over a dozen other derivatives), PFAS, or phthalates. Additionally, the bags meet the following standards and certifications: ASTM D6400, EN13432, and TUV (zipper).
While these pouches are a greener option when compared to most, they are still plastic - even if it's not petroleum-based. We plan on shifting away from these bags once our current stock diminishes.
SUGARCANE PAPER
Labels
In hopes to alleviate some confusion, we have labeled the compostable pouches with a sticker designating them as compostable.
These tree-free labels are made in the USA with unbleached sugarcane paper and are both compostable and recyclable.
The stickers are vegan, non-GMO, and do not contain harmful chemicals such as bisphenol (including BPA and over a dozen other derivatives), PFAS, or phthalates. Additionally, the bags meet the following standards and certifications: ASTM D6400, BPI (adhesive and facestock), and EN13432.