Mountain Rose Herbs creates model of total sustainable business

It’s one thing for a company to offer high quality, organic herbal products –it’s quite another to incorporate uncompromising sustainable business practices, absolute commitment to organic materials, nearly 100% recycled materials for shipping and office supplies, zero waste, 100% renewable energy, a groundbreaking carpool and cycling program, and a “Good Trade” business model surpassing “Fair Trade” standards, where growers get full negotiating rights for their products.

Mountain Rose Herbs, nestled in the green forests of Eugene, Oregon, has large ambitions and an infectious commitment to sustainable and organic living. It’s meeting those goals beautifully. Their achievements haven’t gone unnoticed—the company was named the 2008 Green Business of the Year, Green America’s most prestigious award.

Local and global sourcing to find the best herbs
The company is the nation’s largest retailer of certified organic herbal products. Founded in 1987, it has grown from a small, home-based mail-order herb company to a three-facility operation with 72 employees.

Mountain Rose Herbs offers bulk organic herbs and spices; teas and tea supplies; aromatherapy and essential oils; bulk ingredients such as butters, clays and carrier oils; natural health and body care products; and home and garden gifts and containers. Their products can be found in many retail items, including Annie’s Naturals and Emerald Valley Kitchen, and in natural foods stores and apothecaries, to name a few.

In spite of the economic downturn, the company experienced 23% growth in 2009. “We’re surviving the recession very well,” said Shawn Donnille, operations manager and director of quality control. “People want to economize, make their own body care products. They also use our herbal remedies as a way to avoid doctor visits.”

Many of the products are sourced internationally, from Egypt (thyme and fenugreek), Eastern Europe (medicinals), India, Hungary and many other locations.

Small start, spiraling growth
Like most successful enterprises, Mountain Rose Herbs had “humble beginnings.” Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar founded it in California to provide supplies to her herbal studies students. In 1989, the business was sold and divided into two ventures, a retail herb shop and a mail order company. Julie Bailey purchased the mail order business in 1991.

In 2000, Julie hired Shawn Donnille, a community and environmental activist, as general manager. Shawn expanded the product line, strengthened the commitment to sustainability, pressed for mandatory labeling of genetically modified crops, and in 2001, proposed that all conventionally grown products be replaced with organic by 2003.

“What really has added to our success is the personalization and transparency of our operation,” said Shawn. “Our employees are very accessible. We describe every procedure completely, how things are structured, and so on.”

In 2001, Julie and Shawn became partners and relocated the company to Oregon. Mountain Rose Herbs became a certified organic processor and began to lead the industry in sustainable business practices.

Since 2005, they have doubled the existing space and built a strong distribution network of thousands of natural food stores, co-ops, restaurants, and teahouses.

Unwavering commitment to sustainability
The company ensures its organic and non-GMO commitment through a full-time quality control department. From procurement to receiving, processing and packaging, strict standards are upheld to guarantee freshness, fragrance, and botanical effectiveness. They will never sell or stock products more than a few months past harvest. Regardless of price, “We will never stock a non-organic item if an organic one is available,” Shawn said. If organic isn’t available, they opt for wild-harvested herbs without chemical cultivation, and meticulously analyze the product for pesticide residues.

Non-GMO status is ensured by sticking with certified organic growers and processors. Mountain Rose Herbs currently has six contract farmers growing exclusively for the company, mostly in the Northwest and California.

“Our commitment to non-GMO is motivated by 1) ethics: nature’s thumbprint shouldn’t be manipulated; and 2) concern about contamination. We did random GMO sampling for ten months in 2005, and are very proactive about where farms are located to avoid drift,” he said.

In addition to the “Good Trade” policy that protects the financial interests of growers and harvesters, Mountain Rose Herbs’ “Zero Waste Policy” has been lauded.

“Everyone generates waste, it’s what you do with it that counts,” said Shawn. “We have zero waste in all rooms, with reclamation bins for everything—plus we compost thousands of pounds of botanicals.”

Recycled newsprint, boxes, and 100% post-consumer corrugation material is used for shipping. Office paper such as invoices, flyers, and brochures are all done on 100% post-consumer waste, and even push pins and paper clips are from recycled sources. Computers are EPEAT certified, with low environmental impact. The Mountain Rose Herbs staff produces only about 80 gallons of waste each month—the equivalent of an average four-person household.

In the “green” category, the company’s trucks run on bio-diesel oil salvaged from their bulk vegetable and carrier oil division. It’s also a chemical-free company, allowing no cleaning agents, soaps, pest repellants or other synthetic agents inside its facilities. The carpool program offers significant cash incentives.

“None of this would be possible without the sincere enthusiasm and commitment by each employee to make this company a paragon of environmental and social stewardship,” said Shawn.

© Copyright January/December 2010 , The Organic & Non-GMO Report