When Luke Penney discovered that conventional skin care products can contain potentially harmful ingredients, he decided to start a company that would go back to basics, using the best of nature and zero chemicals. LEAP Organics was born, but the company isn't all about sustainable skin care—green business practices and a commitment to give back to the environment are at the core. We caught up with Penney to learn a little more about LEAP and its mission.
LEAP Organics is set to launch its first line of organic bar soaps this month. How did you get the idea for the company? Why did you start LEAP and what was your inspiration?
When I looked around at the products that impact our health, next to the food we eat and liquids we drink, the products we put on our skin each and every day have a huge impact on our overall health—and on the health of our environment. While our skin is the body's first line of defense, it also acts like a sponge and soaks up the products and environmental elements we expose it to (think how chemical patches work effectively). So I did some research on all of the synthetics, parabens, and chemicals found in conventional skincare products and realized many of them were known skin irritants, toxins, and, in some cases, carcinogens. At that point, I realized there was a need and an opportunity to create truly organic products, using only ingredients from nature that were not only more effective and restorative than many conventional products, but also better for the environment.
I wanted LEAP Organics to be as "natural" as its products, so I built the company from the ground up using sustainable business principles. There was no need to create just another regular, run-of-the-mill company—I really wanted to create a better business model that included the environment and our community as stakeholders. I've followed many of the early pioneers in "socially-responsible" and "triple bottom-line" businesses—companies like Patagonia, Clif Bar, and Stonyfield Yogurt—and all of them were inspirations for starting LEAP Organics. These companies have proven that the sustainable business model works: it works for the companies that incorporate it, the consumers who buy the products and support the brands, and for the Earth, from whose resources make it possible for companies like ours to exist.
What was your inspiration for LEAP's packaging?
The overall goal was to make sure we created something that was both a work of art and an environmental statement. The illustrations on the packaging have beautiful nature scenes, signifying the importance of LEAP's mission to help preserve Mother Nature. In addition, we created a fun conversation with our customers on the packaging to tell them about the product and company. It's the kind of box you want to spend a few minutes with – reading it, staring at the pictures, figuring out the unique wording, etc. We even went so far as to continue the conversation on the inside of the packaging!
Most importantly, though, our boxes are 100% recyclable, they are made from 50% post-consumer waste material (think of all those old newspapers you recycle), and they are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring that the paper comes from sustainably-managed forests. While people may find it hard to throw the boxes out, they need to make sure they recycle them in order to "close the loop," so to speak.
What other products will LEAP manufacture?
In addition to our line of certified organic bar soaps, we have also developed a line of certified organic skincare products that will launch in August. These products will include a facial cleanser, exfoliating face wash, facial toner, and daily face lotion. All four of these products have over 95% certified organic ingredients and will bear the USDA Certified Organic seal, pending certification. This is the highest level of organic certification a product can achieve and a testament to the purity of the ingredients in our skincare line.
Over a year of research and development went into creating our skincare line to make them as effective as possible. We incorporated the purest moisturizing butters and oils—using ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, cupuacu butter, and sweet almond oil—in order to help replenish the skin's moisture and protect it. We also wanted the products to have very high levels of antioxidants to help restore and nourish the skin with vitamins like A, C, E, and F, so we used ingredients like pomegranate oil, acai berries, and rose hips powder. In addition, our products contain extracts from plants and herbs like cucumber, green tea, lavender, and chamomile, all of which can help to soothe the skin. We are really proud of the line we've developed and can't wait to share it with people this summer!
What are some sustainable initiatives LEAP is taking?
At LEAP, our major sustainable initiatives include using renewable energy, recycled packaging, zero waste principles, and giving back to our communities. However, in order to be a sustainable company, we think you first have to use sustainable ingredients that maintain the integrity of the land and the purity of the product. For LEAP, we believe organic agriculture is sustainable agriculture, as it does not use pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or other nasty ingredients that are both bad for the environment and for your skin. Organic farming also uses practices such as crop diversity, nutrient replacement, and water conservation, all of which can lead to healthier soil and land. We follow the USDA's National Organic Program standards and use Oregon Tilth to certify our processes and ingredients.
We always try to use renewable energy directly, but when we can't source it directly, we always offset our use. We have partnered with NativeEnergy which helps us to assess and reduce our carbon footprint by purchasing carbon offsets from projects that support Native American, family farm, and community-based renewable energy and carbon reduction projects. Our third initiative is to use the most sustainable packaging available to us, while using the least amount possible, allowing us to safely and effectively deliver our products. Our goal is to use 100% recycled, recyclable, and/or renewable materials that have the lowest carbon footprint and the best sustainable waste option for the end-consumer. Coinciding with this is our focus on using zero waste principles. This strategy and goal not only promotes re-use and recycling, but it also promotes waste prevention by considering the entire product life cycle.
Lastly, and most importantly to our sustainable initiatives, we give back to our communities. We are members of 1% For The Planet, an alliance of businesses that donate at least 1% of their annual revenues to environmental non-profits worldwide. However, we challenged ourselves to make a larger commitment and will donate a minimum of 3% of our annual sales to global environmental non-profits focused on the health, conservation, and stewardship of our environment. In 2010, we have partnered with Clean Air-Cool Planet, Trees For The Future, and The Student Conservation Association. Each of the non-profits to which we donate all have one thing in common—they encourage our communities' young people to take an active role in helping to preserve and to protect our environment.
What do you hope other companies will learn from your products and practices? What do you hope it will do for the green movement?
LEAP Organics was inspired by early pioneers in "socially-responsible" and "triple-bottom" businesses, and we hope LEAP will inspire others on the practices of sustainability. In particular, we hope to inspire other companies on the importance of using renewable energy, recycled packaging, and giving back to one's community. We believe we've created what are truly the next generation of organic soaps and skincare products by using sustainable, "green" business practices. We hope that by creating such effective products, it will show consumers (and other businesses) that they can get, and should expect, even more from a "green" product and business. In this way, we hope LEAP Organics will motivate others and continue to advance the "green movement" forward.
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