Our Operational Procedures
Organics
Mountain Rose Herbs incorporates its passion for organics into every fiber and thread of its operational foundation.
Currently we offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices and botanicals today, and contrary to other companies who will supply both an organic and conventional variety, organics is our first and only choice regardless of price or profit! We will never stock a non-organic item if an organic one is available, nor will we offer our customers material which has been conventionally grown using synthetic substances. In the event that certified organic material is not available, we opt for material which was cultivated without chemicals or harvested in the wild, thus liberating ourselves from commercial farming dependencies, and all of these materials have been meticulously analyzed in the lab for both chemical and pesticide residues.
Because of this commitment, and to further purport sustainable agriculture, Mountain Rose Herbs was the first US company to market both Bio-Dynamic and Fair Trade certified herbs and spices to the public, further exemplifying our dedication to environmental sustainability.
For more information please see. http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/buyorgan.php
Our Sources
One deciding factor in the products you see throughout our catalog is respect for workers, and the environment. This applies to suppliers in both the U.S. and overseas. We have a strict policy that guarantees workers a fair market value for the goods they produce and any items we purchase from countries outside of the U.S. must have clean human rights records. We have dropped items altogether and refused to carry particular products because laborers were not given an equal voice or a just salary in the labor they produced. We also work meticulously with our sources to inspect the lands where plant materials are gathered for the purpose of ensuring that indigenous populations have not been mistreated, displaced or disrespected, and all growers must incorporate environmentally sustainable business practices into their operations. Because of this commitment, Mountain Rose Herbs was the first US company to market both Bio-Dynamic and Fair Trade certified herbs and spices to the public, further exemplifying our dedication to environmental sustainability.
Our Catalog
We restrict the mailing of our catalogs twice a year and only to those that request them or customers within a 12 month period. We do not superfluously or needlessly throw thousands of catalogs to every person we feel might be interested in our products, thus preventing them from being thrown away. Our current catalog is 72 pages and the non--glossy interior pages were manufactured on 100% post-consumer content and the glossy pages were manufactured on 50% post-consumer content. The printing is done with soybean-based inks, and absolutely no petroleum or solvent-based solutions were used in the production of our catalog. It's so clean it can even be composted!
At this time we have decided to stay away from glossy stock catalog options because of the amount of chemicals needed to be used in the process. The findings were truly incredible.
Using Recycled and Non-Toxic Materials
All invoices, flyers, brochures and other paper materials printed for our customers by Mountain Rose Herbs is done on either 50% or 100% post consumer waste material. We will never utilize nor purport the use of virgin paper materials. We even use recycled office supplies manufactured from a variety of materials including push pins, coffee coasters, pens and paper clips which are made from post-consumer recycled material, our white out is manufactured with water based non toxic materials, we only use paint that is VOC free, and all of our folders, binders, clip boards, scissors, computer diskettes and other paper and plastic materials are purchased from green companies specializing in post consumer recycled materials.
All of the computers and monitors purchased by Mountain Rose Herbs are EPEAT certified at the gold level which means that they have been approved and rated for their environmental attributes. This includes the elimination of heavy metals in the construction of circuitry, using recycled materials in the housing of the unit, their extended life cycle, lead free components, their energy efficiency, and much more. Learn more at EPEAT
Recycling Programs
Virtually all waste generated by Mountain Rose Herbs is either recycled or salvaged. All office paper, metal and plastic drums, scrap paper, cardboard, cans, bottles, plastic, steel, and wood is salvaged and recycled. The standards are set so high that recyclable materials found in trash cans is often a punishable offense! All waste oil from our bulk vegetable and carrier oil division is collected for bio-diesel salvage which amounts to nearly 55 gallons a month, and all dried botanical refuse material is collected for composting at local facilities and nurseries which amounts to nearly 3000 pounds annually. We also recycle all electronic and computer components which are no longer in working condition by taking them to a local facility for proper salvage and disposal, thus preventing several known heavy metal sources from being land-filled. Each year this amounts to numerous computers, calculators, faxes, printers, and processing machines from further filling valuable land-fill space.
Our Shipping Materials
Our packaging material is tediously screened by other green businesses who work within the same paradigm as Mountain Rose Herbs. We use recycled post-consumer newsprint to cushion your order, our boxes used for shipment are made from post-consumer corrugation material with a minimum of 25% post-consumer recycled material, and the bubble wrap we use for breakables is manufactured from 25% recycled post-consumer plastic. The paper used for inserts, invoices, brochures etc is always made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, and the peanuts which are occasionally used in our parcels are salvaged from other companies and individuals.
Chemical Free Facility
Mountain Rose Herbs does not use, nor condone the use of chemical cleaning agents, bleaches, soaps, ammonia, chlorine, dioxide, commercial pest repellents, fumigants, or other synthetic agents which are harmful to ourselves and the environment. Pest management practices include the use of sonic repellers, pheromone traps, and the vigilant application of both diatomaceous earth and pyrethrum powder. We do not fumigate nor do we use chemical killing agents. All cleaning products used within our facilities are 100% natural, bio-degradable and are approved for use within certified organic facilities. The primary industrial cleaning agents are ordered in bulk from Bio-Kleen, with the exception of Grapefruit Seed extract mixed with Lemon Essential oil and Baking Soda as a general cleanser. The production and facilities sanitizer used at Mountain Rose Herbs is Peracetic Acid which is a concentrated form of Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar and is completely biodegradable.
Zero Waste Company
Mountain Rose Herbs is a successful “Zero Waste” company where any perceived materials which might be regarded as waste are either recycled, re-used, composted, reclaimed, or brought back into the production cycle.
Everything is collected and sorted for proper reclamation including the backs of labels, plastic bags, scrap metal from barrels, poly-woven bags, herbal refuse material, buckets, oil and much more!
Because of our unwavering commitment to absolute environmental stewardship, we have enthusiastically embraced what is known as the zero waste paradigm. This ideology strives to eliminate all waste by re-thinking and re-designing the current business model to create a more dynamic approach to resource recovery, product design, and recycling.
It is our hope to emulate and follow the cycle of the natural world, which produces no waste, and utilizes all outputs as needed and vital inputs to continue the cycle of life. Zero waste produces a mutual interdependence that every living thing can benefit from. We have integrated the ideology of zero waste to reduce, reuse, and recycle in every area of our business. By re-injecting perceived waste back into our business model, we not only help sustain the fragile bond between man and the natural world, but have also help in the creation of jobs and the saving of money.
To learn more about our Zero Waste accomplishments and how we did it please
see Zero Waste
Sustainable recognition from the Mayor of Eugene, Oregon
The practices and initiatives setup and managed by Mountain Rose Herbs are so thorough and complete that Mayor Kitty Piercy of Eugene honored us with the city's prestigious "Bold Steps Towards Sustainability Award". To be recognized with the award, Mountain Rose herbs had to answer numerous questions and enforce new policies towards ecological business practices. For more information, please see... Mayor's Award
Company Vehicles
Our commercial fleet vehicles run on bio-diesel!
Mountain Rose Herbs uses commercial Dodge Sprinter cargo vehicles for general company use and for all deliveries within the Eugene, Oregon area and they are strictly fueled by bio-diesel from local facilities. This further outlines our commitment to environmental sustainability and lessening our impact on global warming.
Energy Usage
Mountain Rose Herbs is proud to have converted to 100% renewable energy by transferring all of its conventional electrical power usage to renewable energy sources, credits, and development through the Carbonfund.
Carbonfund is a non-profit organization dedicated to transferring current energy usage to renewable sources and to learn more about our energy program click here.
In addition to this we have instituted an aggressive energy consumption model which includes…
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A complete lighting upgrade in our principal facilities to thin diameter, low impact, fluorescent cylinders which draw far less power than traditional fluorescent tubes and incandescent bulbs.
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Our company switched our cargo and delivery vehicles to run on vegetable oil based Bio-Diesel
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Replacing all appliances and refrigerators to E-Star compliant models
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A company wide upgrade to LED flat screen monitors instead of traditional CRT monitors which use about 65% more energy and generate nearly 5 times as much heat.
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Newly installed E-Star rated central heat and cooling units which are maintained and serviced quarterly for optimal performance and efficiency. These units are highly energy efficient and are E-Star rated
- All computer purchases have been converted to EPEAT certified models which have been Gold Star rated for their environmental attributes including energy conservation,
the amount and type of packaging used to ship and house the computer, and the refusal to use harmful materials in the construction of the computers.
Mountain Rose Herbs has always taken a formidable and uncompromising stand when it comes to the protection and sustainability of our natural world and the delicate systems which balance all life as we know it. This complex and venerable planet produces all of the products we share with you, and it is simply a matter of appreciation and respect that must be given. Not only do we lead the industry in environmental stewardship, we also adhere to strict principles and protocols that ensure fair treatment and compensation for the people involved with the production of our products; both domestically and overseas. These are the very same people that produce much of what we offer you and our wish is to further guarantee that they are compensated well for their services and treated with respect. Through common consensus we hope to encourage an ecological practice within businesses and our communities, where more is given than is taken. 
Mountain Rose Herbs is proud to have converted to 100% renewable energy by transferring its conventional electrical power usage to renewable energy sources, credits, and development through the Carbonfund. Learn what you can do to lessen your carbon footprint by visiting Carbonfund..
Transfair USA
United Plant Savers
Organic Trade Association
Herb Research Foundation
Cascadia Wildlands Project
Organic Consumers Association
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service
Sustainable Harvest International 
Organic Seed Alliance
Pesticide Action Network
