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    • Truffles >
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  • ORDER ME
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Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world!

7/30/2019

6 Comments

 
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but from the time I first heard this quote by social activist, Howard Zinn, it transformed my attitude to many things, and looking after our planet better is one of them!
I always said that if I ever had a business that meant I could make a difference to the world, I would try my hardest to carry my personal values into it too. So in the spirit of that, I want to share with you my "small acts" that allow me to do my bit for Mother Earth.​
Living an Abundant Life
As you know, I'm really passionate about the kind of ingredients I use in your products. Of course these days there's so much more to consider than just the content of the product itself, and with sustainability close to my heart, I've gone to great lengths to try to be mindful of my impact on the planet.
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I personally think we are custodians of this beautiful planet, which gives us all we need to survive and prosper. So we need to treat the earth with respect and consideration. You probably know what I'm going to say next ~ the plastic issue!

I don't have an issue with plastic per se as so much of our lives have been moulded around using it, and some of it is sadly a necessary evil. For example, food waste is one of the biggest contributing factors to climate change, but in some instances a bit of plastic is the difference between your fruit & veg arriving mouldy and it arriving crisp and fresh, and happily lasting a few more days. It's also great at quarantining food so it doesn't harbour any nasty bugs, which is a no-brainer, especially when it comes to vulnerable people. Biodegradable alternatives are currently either too expensive and/or not quite robust enough to work for our mass food markets yet, but that will most definitely change.

Those circumstances aside, what I do think is that we can all think a bit more carefully about how much we demand it, use it and dispose of it. So this is how I'm taking steps to be my own little centre for change.
Truffle Packaging
It took me a while, but eventually I found the right packaging for my truffles boxes that were either made from recycled materials, could be recycled or composted, or could be re-used or re-purposed, and ideally all of the above, and I've nearly done it!
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​So, unlike most truffle packaging, I don't use wasteful cushion pads, petit four cases and plastic tray inserts in your truffle boxes. Instead I use a grid insert system, made from sustainable sourced recyclable materials, along with recycled glassine paper (for the 12 box of truffles). There's one piece of plastic in the 6 truffle boxes, which is made from recycled plastics. ​
Other Packaging
Dessert pots & lids
The image on the left are of my existing cheesecake pots. They are made from recycled plastic and can be recycled again in your green bin. You can also wash them out and use them around the kitchen for storing things like left over foods and herbs.
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The images in the middle and on the right are of my new cheesecake pots. Made by vegware, they are non-toxic and completely compostable, and made from plant-based PLA (PolyLactic Acid) or recycled sugarcane. PLA is a plant-based compostable bioplastic, and an environmentally friendly alternative to petrochemical originated plastic polymers, and can be used to make a wide range of eco-disposable products. 

I didn't know this but compostable is much better than biodegradable! Biodegradable materials break down naturally over time, but 'compostable' means it all happens much quicker - between 8 and 12 weeks in the right conditions. This does mean that these pots are more sensitive to heat, so forget the dishwasher! Hand washed, they're fine to use and re-use again and again.
Granola bar wrappers
The image on the left is of my current packaging, which are made from recycled greaseproof paper, and can be recycled in your green bin. I started out using paper due to my obsession with not wrapping my products in plastic, like I see so many other on the go snacks packaged in. I'm excited to share that when my stock of greaseproof paper finishes, I will be switching to plastic bags!
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These bags look like plastic, but they're made in the UK from cellophane film that has been accredited biodegradable & compostable, which means that they break down to CO2, H20 and biomass which can then be reused in the eco system to make new plants. They will break down either in home or commercial composting. The film has also been tested to ensure that once composted there are no adverse effects on the plant growth.
Organza Ribbon & Bows
Made from nylon and metallic yarn, these ribbons can be recycled in your green bin.

Glass Jars 
These can easily be recycled along with your other bottles at your local bottle bank. 

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Seagrass Hamper Baskets 
These baskets are made from sweet grass, pine needles, bull rush and palms. Totally natural ingredients for totally natural foods.

Postal packaging
Even here I can do more, so all the cardboard packaging I use is made from recycled materials that can be re-used or recycled in your green bin. I mostly use packaging I've bought myself, but where I can I reuse packaging I've received myself, such as postal boxes and packaging padding like bubble wrap. I think it's one of the easiest, economical and eco-friendly ways I can do my bit with packaging.
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I've even recently come across plastic free, recyclable and biodegradable, brown paper sticky tape made in the UK - I never knew there was such a thing! It's also tamper proof (as it can only be torn), making it safe and eco, both at the same time. So this is now my sticky tape of choice. I got mine from fellow small biz Naturally Wrapt, so I get to support another small biz owner too - win, win!

The gel packs that I use to keep your products cool in transit are non-toxic, reusable and 100% recyclable! The contents are not harmful to the environment, and the outer film is also recyclable. 

Festivals & Fairs
I do my best here too. The napkins, cutlery and paper bags I give out with my products are all made from recycled natural materials, and are compostable - absolutely no plastic here! 

I ask my customers to help me too!
On my home page I'm transparent about my eco efforts, and give my visitors and customers tips on how they can recycle, re-use or upcycle all of my packaging. I also include this info with every order too. 

So that's how I'm doing my bit to give back, and minimise my destructive impact on Mama Nature. I'm not there yet, as I know there are other things I could do, and when finances and knowledge allow, I'm sure I will do much more. Let me know your thoughts, and share any eco ideas you have on how I we can all do our bit.


One last thing I'd like to share! Plastic bottles are still with us for the next few years at least, and it's difficult to avoid them, but that doesn't mean you can't put them to some use. I came across this article, 23 Creative Ways To Recycle Old Plastic Bottles Into DIY Crafts. It's got some amazing ideas in it on how you can re-purpose those pesky things and keep them out of the eco food chain a little longer.

6 Comments
Bev link
8/13/2019 06:22:46 pm

I love hearing about businesses taking their environmental footprint seriously, well done you. I'm trying my best to recycle as much as I can, so I've learned a few tips here too, thank you

Reply
Marcia
8/20/2019 04:32:15 pm

Hi Bev

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment and thanks for your feedback! I'm glad to have inspired you to recycle more, and I hope you go on to inspire at least one other person - for me that's how we can all change the world! Marcia

Reply
Kayla
8/28/2019 02:42:46 pm

I'm doing more to be mindful of my green footprint too, re-using things like you do, and being less wasteful. I'm glad to see you bring your values into your business, not many do!

Kayla

Reply
Marcia
8/29/2019 03:58:24 pm

Hi Kayla

Thanks for your comments, they're very much appreciated, and it's always great to hear from others who are doing their own little bit to save the planet.

Marcia

Reply
James
8/28/2019 03:14:07 pm

Hi Marcia

Good for you doing your bit, there's some great tips here and I might even take some up! I am conscious that I need to do more, so thanks for the inspired ideas :)

Reply
Marcia
8/29/2019 03:56:18 pm

Hi James

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! As you know it's something I'm really passionate about, so I'm so pleased to have inspired you to a bit more - every little helps! ;)

Marcia

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Thank you Marcia, your cheesecake was absolutely delicious! As predicted, it didn't last long. ​Thanks again
​Abi
Just wanted to say the cheesecakes were boooom!! Enjoyed by all and turned our wet and chilly birthday gathering in the woods into a flavour rave!
Shinghai, Leeds
I must say it's great to have healthy chocolate and cake that quench my craving, I don't feel hungry after, it's amazing really, it takes away unhealthy cravings and works well for me. 😁 
Nakita, Leeds

Thank you so much for the truffles and cheesecake. I've been looking for natural raw desserts in the area for ages and then I came across your site. The strawberry cheesecake was amazing and all the truffles tasted Devine especially the caramel one-gorgeous. So glad i found you. Brilliant personal service as well.
Emma, Leeds

Let's talk AMAZING vegan salted caramel sauce from @abundancefoodsleeds! It's amazing, it tastes better than 'regular' caramel, and it has a richer and deeper flavour made from coconut sugar. 
Preye, Manchester

Well, Well, Well Abundance Foods - you have done it again! The raw luscious lime cheesecake is absolutely divine! It's rich, smooth and just enough sweetness to balance the tartness of the lime. Gorgeous, thank you
​Tracey, Leeds
I started [eating your salted caramel] with a spoon out of the jar then I had the rest with cheese and crackers. It’s so delicious that you have to put a warning on the label! May cause you to hide and eat it all by yourself!
Carmen, Nottingham
I was lucky enough to come across Marcia at a vegan & yoga event I was working at. Immediately she was so welcoming and helpful, I bought a number of her delicious homemade goodies as at the time I was following a strict dairy free diet but craved something sweet! Both myself and my husband enjoyed her desserts so much, that I ordered more. Marcia the very next day, delivered them to my house! Fantastic service and delicious and nutritious treats. I can't wait to sample the whole range on offer!!
​Ruth, Leeds
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​Dean, Leeds
"I'm so grateful that you went out of your way to make a cake and put icing on it for me. It is honestly the best vegan cake I have ever tasted."
Lucy, Wakefield
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