As part of our commitment to regenerative and sustainable practices, Gaia Herbs is introducing a much-anticipated packaging update.
Don’t worry, we’re sticking with glass (phew)!
However, other aspects of our packaging are being modified to reduce waste and make it easier to read labels and know what you’re buying.
To get the full scoop, we spoke with Gaia Herbs brand manager Megan Lyons about what to expect from the new look and how these changes (and the lack of changes) benefit people and the planet.
What Inspired the Packaging Update?
Gaia Herbs has always been committed to eco-friendly packaging, such as using glass bottles and droppers and post-recycled cardboard for our product boxes.
However, there is always room for improvement, especially as new technologies become available.
According to Lyons, the new package update was inspired by a desire to further reduce waste and improve the customer experience.
“We explored several options such as aluminum, compostable pouches, PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic, and other alternatives that would reduce waste while preserving the integrity and purity of the products."
Ultimately, it was determined that these alternative technologies were not developed enough to protect the integrity of the product.
“So, we did a deep dive and narrowed it down to whether we should move to PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic, like many supplement companies are."
“We did an analysis on global impact, and dug into emerging research showing PCR is not really a great solution at all due to not knowing what’s in it and how it may degrade over time.”
In the end, Gaia Herbs decided to stay in glass versus moving to PCR plastic.
Why Gaia Herbs is Staying in Glass
Despite consumer outcry, many supplement brands are switching from glass to post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic packaging.
Companies that endorse the switch tout its environmental benefits (it’s made from recycled materials, after all, and is lighter to ship) and claim it helps them keep costs low as prices for everything are going up.
It’s a fair argument, but it overlooks several crucial factors.
A Closer Look at the Pitfalls of PCR Plastic Packaging
PCR plastics may be a popular alternative to glass, but they are not necessarily better for people, product integrity, or the planet.
As you likely know, plastic packaging leaches multiple chemicals into products, including BPA, BPS, PFAS (also known as "forever chemicals"), and phthalates, in addition to microplastics. 1
A study on plastic packaging identified 906 chemicals assessed for toxicity, and possibly another 3377 with unknown toxicity. Of those chemicals, 148 of the 906 have significant human toxicity. 2
These chemicals are concerning as they have been linked to hormonal disruption, cancers, developmental issues, cardiovascular ailments, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal issues, behavioral problems, metabolic ailments, lowered immunity, obesity, epigenetic mechanism dysfunction, and fertility issues. 3,4,5,6
There are other issues surrounding PCR plastic packaging, including:
- They can retain contaminants from their previous use, posing potential health risks when used in direct contact with dietary supplements.
- Research shows they can contain hundreds of chemicals, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals.
- Lack of regulation—few laws exist to control or report these chemicals in recycled plastics.
- They are typically not recycled after use.
- They are made from petroleum.
- Only 10% of PCR is suitable for food packaging.
- They are expensive to produce.
- There is not enough recycled plastic to meet the high demands, especially due to new laws and company goals.
- Recycled plastics may not consistently meet the performance standards required for packaging dietary supplements, potentially affecting the product's integrity.
- They release microplastics into products and the environment. 7
Lyons adds, “There’s also no getting away from the fact that plastic is a petroleum product, and globally we’re not good at converting plastic into something eco-friendly. You have no idea what’s in PCR, for example.”
We all want a solution to plastic pollution, but PCR plastics do not meet Gaia Herbs’ standards for human-safe, eco-friendly, sustainable packaging.
Fun fact: Gaia Herbs Certified Regenerative Organic Farm does not use plastic in any part of the growing process.
The Main Benefits of Using Glass for Supplements:
After years of researching possible alternatives, Gaia Herbs is proud to be sticking with glass for all our herbal supplements.
Here’s why.
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Glass has a higher recycling rate than plastic.
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It has excellent barrier protection.
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Glass is made from natural materials, like sand, and not petroleum products.
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It does not release microplastics into the environment.
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Glass does not contain volatile compounds, like those found in PCR.
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It’s easy to reuse. -Tip: Clean and save your Gaia Herbs bottles to store other supplements, such as multivitamins, that are packaged in plastic.
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The amber glass bottles Gaia Herbs uses protect the product from sunlight and degradation over time. 8,9,10
The big takeaway: Gaia Herbs is staying in glass until an even more sustainable and human-safe packaging solution can be found that doesn’t compromise product purity or integrity
So, What is Changing with the Packaging?
“You’ll start seeing updated Gaia Herbs packaging that reflects our ongoing connection to nature. What hasn’t changed? The herbal integrity inside every bottle,” says Lyons.
Here’s what to expect.
More Attractive, Consistent, Easy-to-read Labels
In lieu of eliminating boxes, our labels are getting an upgrade, including:
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Beautiful illustrations of the herbs in each formula
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Standardized names and claims
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Our signature “G” logo on the right
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Simplified product categories such as “sleep”, “stress”, and “immunity”
You’ll still know it’s Gaia Herbs, the labels will just be consistent, attractive, and easy to read.
A Few Name Changes
Some of Gaia Herbs’ products will be getting name changes to make them and their ingredients easier to identify.
Lyons gives this example, “We have a Respiratory Mushroom Blend that we’re changing to 'Reishi and Cordyceps'. This tells you exactly what it is and makes it more of a no-brainer”.
We’ll bring you more details on product name changes as they occur."
No More Boxes
Gaia Herbs supplements have always come in individual boxes. These are going away.
“Our cartons are already 100% post-consumer recycled paperboard, but we’re not stopping there. By 2026, all cartons will be removed, saving 72k pounds of secondary packaging material from the waste stream.”
No More Plastic Neck Bands
Plastic neck bands were originally used to prevent tampering and ensure a strong seal.
However, with new internal heat induction seal technologies, they are redundant and a waste of plastic on liquid capsule bottles.
Says Lyons, “Tinctures and syrups will continue to have a plastic neck band as we actively pursue alternatives."
“The next step on our sustainability path is to remove all plastic neck bands from our glass jars, saving 1.5k pounds of non-recyclable plastic a year.”
The Future of Gaia Herb's Commitment to Sustainable Packaging
We’re so excited about this new packaging update, but we’re not stopping here.
We will continue to investigate how we can reduce plastics, expand reusable options, and remain at the forefront by exploring innovative, sustainable, and human-safe packaging as it becomes available.
Says Lyons, “We are continuing to invest energy and education to see what the next unlock is. We will continue to prioritize packaging that protects the planet, so we’re staying with glass for now, so as that field gets more sophisticated—there’s so much happening with seaweed & fungi right now—we’re ready to act.”
To Learn More About our Commitment to Sustainability, Check Out:
Our Social Impact Page
Celebrating B Corp Month: Why Gaia Herbs is Committed to B Corp Certification
A Consumer’s Guide to Adulterated, Fake Herbs + How to Avoid Them
Gaia Herbs 2023 Sustainability Report: How We’re Implementing A Sustainable, Transparent, & Regenerative Business Model
Ethical Sourcing: What it Means for Gaia Herbs Gaia Herbs’ Approach to Ethical Sourcing
1 -“Tackling the toxics in plastics packaging”. PLOS Biology.
2 - Plastic Food Container Safety. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal,
3 - Editorial: Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in Plastics and Their Effects on Reproduction, Fertility, and Development”. Front Toxicol.
4 - “Endocrine Disruptors”. National Institute of Environmental Health Science.
5 - A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals”. Frontiers in Endocrinology
6 - “Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on epigenetic regulation in the uterus: A narrative review”. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E, 23, 80
7 - “A dataset of organic pollutants identified and quantified in recycled polyethylene pellets”. Data in Brief.
8 - “Light transmission properties of pharmaceutical liquid bottles and evaluation of their photoprotective efficacy”. Pak J Pharm Sci.
9 - “An Assessment of the U.S. Recycling System: Financial Estimates to Modernize Material Recovery Infrastructure”. Environmental Protection Agency.
10 - “Glass”. Brittanica.
