Originate is Climate Label Certified!

After almost 2 years (21 months) of hard work, we’ve finally achieved our Climate Label Certification from The Change Climate Project!

One of the first major steps we took was the installation of solar panels, allowing us to power our operations with clean, renewable energy. This was made possible after we applied for and received the Changemaker Grant from Groundswell Capital in late February 2024. It was a quick time frame with the 8 PV panels and inverter installed by June 30th and the system turned on mid July. We worked with Westwind Solar for the installation. Within the first year of our panels being installed we’ve produced almost 7MWH but have only consumed 5.3MWH!

Our next focus was carbon-neutral shipping, ensuring that the materials we provide are delivered with the lowest environmental impact possible. To move toward carbon-neutral shipping, we’ve been carefully tracking the mileage of shipments to calculate our transportation emissions. Based on this data, we’ve purchased 93 tons of high-quality carbon credits to offset the first six months of this year’s domestic freight transportation.

We’ve chosen to support the North Maine Woods Improved Forest Management Project, located near the Canadian border, this 92,000-acre project lies within the largest undeveloped forest in the eastern United States. The land includes mature hardwood stands, some over 100 years old, and plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, with an estimated 3 million metric tons of CO₂ to be removed over the project’s lifetime. By preventing aggressive timber harvesting, the project protects vital wildlife habitats and promotes biodiversity in a way that short-term logging simply cannot. What made this project especially meaningful for us is its commitment to long-term, responsible land management within the U.S.

This certification isn’t the finish line, it’s just the beginning. We’ll continue working to reduce our carbon emissions and refine how we measure, track, and offset our footprint. This is super exciting for us that the certification came through right after our 22nd Anniversary too!

If you’re interested in seeing what other businesses are taking the extra step to offset their carbon footprint, you can find them here!

Climate Neutral Certification Year 2!

Being mindful of our environmental impact is an ongoing journey, not a one-time accomplishment. We recently completed our second year of Climate Label certification, and we’re proud to continue building on the progress we’ve made while looking for new ways to reduce our footprint. From lowering emissions wherever possible to supporting verified climate projects, we remain committed to making thoughtful decisions that reflect our values and contribute to a healthier planet. Every step forward matters, and we’re committed to continuing that work.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency, we installed two smart windows located high on the north side under the eaves and on the west side within the curved roof parapet, that automatically open when temperatures get too high. This allows hot air to escape naturally, helping regulate indoor temperatures during the summer months and reducing the need for additional cooling at night.

The largest portion of our CO2 emissions comes from domestic freight shipping, and we want to do what we can to account for that impact. We have been carefully tracking the mileage of our freight shipments, so we can calculate our emissions and determine how many carbon credits are needed to offset them. We purchased credits to offset 83 tonnes of carbon which accounts for the first 6 months of this year’s shipping emissions. While we continue to look for ways to reduce our impact, purchasing these credits is an important step in working toward carbon-neutral shipping.

When choosing our carbon credits this year, we were really drawn to the UPM Blandin Forest Project in Minnesota. This project helps protect nearly 188,000 acres of beautiful native forests that are home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, gray wolves, moose, 47 different bird species, and 30 miles of state designated trout streams! Beyond helping address carbon emissions, these forests provide vital habitats, protect waterways and give wildlife room to thrive. We’re excited that our investment supports a project that cares for both our climate and the amazing creatures we share this planet with!