What's The Carbon Footprint of the Products you Buy?

It is estimated that the annual carbon dioxide footprint for each UK resident is 11.6 tonnes-and this excludes the manufacture of imported goods. At a time when we are all becoming more familiar with the impact our lifestyles have upon the environment it may surprise you to learn that even the vitamins and supplements you take may leave a larger carbon footprint that you expected.

Often it may seem that nearly all of the products available through retail and mail order to help maintain your wellbeing are manufactured in the UK. this is because most companies have a commercial office in this country and that is the address which is featured on the label, so you would never suspect the products have not been manufactured in UK. However, very often the products are manufactured overseas in US, India or China and imported into this country, whilst the label gives no indication that this has happened. In fact, one of the largest retailers does precisely this with almost every line they sell under their own brand. An the situation is the same for some of the UKs most well known brands which have become established here on the back of their success overseas in their home markets.

Has your herb travelled 9,000 miles or 90?

It may surprise you to learn that many herbs which grow traditionally in UK and Europe are in fact sourced by many manufacturers, especially those in US, from countries such as China. So often these products have started their life as raw materials in China, then been shipped to US for manufacture into tablets and capsules and then transported to the UK. This instead of using home grown crops which might be a little more expensive to produce but which would undoubtedly impact much less in terms of the carbon footprint generated.

There are a handful of UK companies which, wherever they can, choose to source UK grown herbs. And whereas the skills associated with the cultivation of medicinal herbs was impetus as farmers seek to diversify from traditional commercial crops. One such project has been developed in Cornwall under the guidance of the Eden project, and another at Carr house farm in Yorkshire which is owned by the BHM health group. In addition to growing a wide variety of traditional herbs such as St Johns Wort, Milk Thistle, Feverfew, and Agnus Castus, Carr House farm also produces oil crops such as Borage, also known as starflower oil. And the whole farm is organic as well.

Offsetting the carbon footprint

It is inevitable that energy will be used in the manufacture of the vitamins, supplements and health food products you consume to maintain your wellbeing. However, the energy used can be offset in a number of ways, most commonly by buying into carbon offset schemes, and making the manufacturing process as energy efficient as possible.

BHM Health group operates in a uniquely energy efficient manner by growing as many products as possible on their own organic farm, nearby to their manufacturing facility and then plants trees on the farm to offset the carbon emissions and conserve the local environment.

Your independent health food retailer is the key to keeping your 'personal wellbeing' carbon footprint to a minimum

It may not be clear to you whether the product you are buying is sourced in China, Manufactured in US and then shipped to UK, but your independent health food retailer is not only the most likely source of the widest selection of products with a minimal carbon footprint, but also the most knowledgeable about which individual brands and products have the lowest carbon footprint. So remember support your local independent health food retailer and reduce your personal wellbeing carbon footprint.

Shopping with an independent retailer provides a big advantage over many high street chains, being able to provide you with the freedom, choice and availability of British made products which large multinationals are unable to supply. Buying British contributes in obvious ways to a conscious reduction in "food miles". Our own organic farm in Carr House, within a few minutes drive of our production facility, epitomises this approach. Few companies in this industry can boast such an environmental asset. It is our intention to grow as many Organic herbal ingredients as we can to ensure the integrity, quality and continuity of supply. These will all be of paramount importance in coping with the demands of herbal licensing. Our green commitment has been further endorsed by the planting of 11,000 young trees at Carr house farm to be followed by a further 5,000. Unlike many companies we do not import finished products from other continents. We manufacture all products here in East Yorkshire in our state of the Art facilities, which also have soil Association accreditation, under the supervision of our MHRA Qualified person.