LJ Natural & Sustainability

Our Environment & Recycling Policy

“Sustainability” has become a buzzword, but at LJ Natural, it’s a way of life, not a marketing ploy. Many large companies spend huge sums on greenwashing to appear eco-conscious. I don’t need to. My business, and my personal lifestyle, are both genuinely sustainable, rooted in small, thoughtful choices that make a real difference not just to my community but to the world.

This page shares my ongoing environment and recycling policy. It’s a work in progress because I’m always learning and finding new ways to be kinder to our planet.

Carbon Negative Since 2019

I’m proud that LJ Natural has been carbon negative since 2019. That means I’ve calculated the carbon footprint of my business, including heating, lighting, and making products, and I’ve more than offset it by planting trees.

My goal isn’t just to do less harm, but to give back to the planet that gives us so much.

Packaging & Recycling

I use glass and aluminium packaging wherever possible, both fully recyclable through your local council collections. I’ve also developed a growing range of zero-waste products, beautifully wrapped in biodegradable paper.

Returning Your Empties

By popular demand, I accept returns of your glass LJ empties:

Drop them off anytime at 67 Moor Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 6BQ, you’ll find a collection box in the porch.
Please include your name so I can add loyalty points to your account.
If you’re posting empties, you’re very welcome to do so (postage at your cost, as this is not a cost I can absorb at present).

Note: I don’t currently take back aluminium jars, as these can go straight into your roadside recycling.

Loyalty Points for Empties

You’ll receive 20 points for each returned glass jar or bottle, providing they are clean and usable, please don’t bring back broken lids or bottles/jars.
Make sure you have an LJ Natural account, and please allow up to two weeks for points to appear.

Other Sustainable Practices

No outer boxes: I don’t use individual product boxes, they’re wasteful and unnecessary.
Paper bags, gift boxes, tissue paper & raffia ribbon: All 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
Padded envelopes: FSC-approved.
Leaflets: Printed on recycled paper, fully recyclable and biodegradable.
Packing tape: Plastic-free, compostable, and biodegradable.
Bubble wrap: Made from recyclable paper, biodegradable and compostable.
Packing peanuts: I reuse the ones I receive. Many are compostable cornstarch; if not, I encourage creative reuse in the community.
Ingredient containers & boxes: Reused locally for house moves, allotments, and school projects. Basically, nothing goes in the bin!

Carbon Neutral & Climate Justice

I am officially carbon negative — meaning the carbon emissions from my business (energy, heating, travel, waste, etc.) are balanced by reductions and offsets.

But sustainability isn’t just about carbon. It’s about climate justice, fairness, and protecting the future. My daughter and I have attended Fridays for Future protests in Manchester, and I’m an active member of the Green Party and Transition Wilmslow.

Together, we can demand stronger climate action and a faster path to true sustainability, because there is no PLANet B.