In this blog, we are shining the spotlight on some of our favourite sustainable brands from the world of pet care and beyond, celebrating those who share our vision of a world with less waste, and more wonder.
With Black Friday around the corner, this is a great opportunity to #Paws4Thought and encourage conscious consumption, supporting waste reducing and sustainable businesses.
Shell on Earth are a small family business run by husband and wife team Jordan & Caryl Andrews. They take the crushed whelk shells generated at their family’s low-impact seafood processing factory and recycle them for use in gardens and landscaping, reducing the waste output from the factory, but also helping to support a circular economy by utilising 100% of the whelks they process.
We had a chat with Caryl from Shell on Earth to find out a bit more about their sustainable business...
Tell us who you are and what you do
Hi! We're Caryl and Jordan Andrews. We recycle the crushed whelk shells generated at our family's seafood processing factory, for use as a plant pot top dressing and in gardens and landscaping.
How did you get started?
Our son was born in 2017 and at the time we were living and working in London. When our son was about 9 months old we made a decision to leave London and were invited to join Jordan's family business. Our first project was finding a use for the shells. After a few months of researching different options, Shell on Earth was born.
Where are you based?
Our factory is based in an old quarry, on a cliff-top overlooking the sea in New Quay, West Wales. We have an amazing view of Cardigan Bay from our office and enjoy seeing the resident bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the water most days.
Cardigan Bay is a SAC or Special Area of Conservation, due to the rich and diverse marine wildlife found here - it's pretty special!
Do you have any pets?
We have a 12 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Logan. He's sadly become deaf with age but is incredibly affectionate and gentle. He's really enjoying his retirement in West Wales.
How do you go about sourcing your products?
This is easy, as it's a byproduct of our seafood business.
Your limited edition bags are so cool, who designed them?
Thank you. We never want Shell on Earth to be two dimensional.
We want to create a contemporary and ever-changing brand that supports artists and craftspeople.
The limited edition bags are really fun projects for us to work on with different artists. We come up with the concept then approach artists to work with us.
We have also commissioned plant pots from local potters and hope to continue doing this on our journey.
What is your top tip to be more sustainable?
I think sustainability starts at home.
Grow your own vegetables, use less water, use fewer chemicals, recycle as much as you can and educate your children on sustainability and the environment.
What does the future hold for Shell on Earth?
Who knows! The world is our oyster (or whelk, you might say!).
We will keep pushing to be better. Although, we do have a new product launching very soon...
Where can we see your products?
We have an online shop and many stockists across the UK and Ireland.
Where can we follow you?
We're on Instagram and Facebook
Who is your favourite independent sustainable business?
There are so many great businesses coming through at the moment. How can we name only one?!
Our current favourites are; Badger and Birch, For Peat's Sake, Dalefoot Composts, Rebrewable, Harriets Plants and Ecopots.
13/11/2020 by NatuTeam