Leading the Way: Luna & Soul's Commitment to Sustainable Business Practices
Visit Raja at Luna & Soul in Centre Aisle
In 2023, the Market introduced an Early Adopter Sustainability Grant Program (EASG) as part of its 2022-2027 Environmental Sustainability Strategy. The program was implemented to financially support traders who wanted to introduce sustainable practices that would reduce the environmental impact of their business operation. Raja, the trader behind Luna & Soul, received one of last year’s grants for her initiative to transition to plastic free packaging.
Oftentimes, the most easy and lustrous wholesale packaging also appears to be the most convenient for businesses to use. Longer term problems of pollution aren’t usually to mind during the discrete shopping interaction, which eludes implications of the bag, wrapping paper, or postal pack, for its future centuries in landfill.
Raja has used grant to thoughtfully create a range of packaging is also plastic free: perforated cardboard wrap is used instead of plastic bubble wrap, kraft tape takes the place of plastic tape and labels are printed in soy ink on biodegradable paper.
Raja intended for Luna & Soul to be plastic free from the start, believing that an environmentally conscious approach to business naturally extends from yoga practice and philosophy. In addition to her packaging, Raja has implemented sustainable options throughout her business: candle lids are cork not plastic, garment labels are attached by cotton rather than nylon, and external signage is constructed from the natural material of timber.
These sustainable choices often require compromise. Initially, Raja thought she would box her incense with gold foil lettering but eventually went for a modest design of recycled card in consideration of the ecological impact.
Making environmentally friendly choices is not without risk. Recently, Raja’s stock was damaged when a delivery of garments, which were sent in cassava sacks, left residue on them in transit. Trial and error can be part of the process for businesses who value, and take responsibility for their place in the ecosystem, its clean landscapes, air and wildlife. It’s important to acknowledge the time and energy that traders like Raja channel into sustainable choices.
On occasion, patrons ask Raja about price differences between her products and those of other brands, such as huge multinational franchises. These questions promote discussion about value in terms that extend beyond economics. A price tag ostensibly denotes only the fiscal and individual cost, and obfuscates many others.
It takes courage to be willing to have these discussions and we are proud to recognise Luna & Soul for their commitment to plastic-free packaging. We hope that shoppers will also appreciate Raja’s commitment, the investment of time and energy she has put in, to sell with mindfulness around her impact in the community.
Luna & Soul is located in Centre Aisle and is open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am.
