EcoLogo-certified Products “Rock” Social and Environmental Responsibility
What do hand-harvesting stones off a beach in Indonesia and a Canadian company called Beachbums have to do with social responsibility and environmental stewardship? Everything.
Heather Beach and Jeff Bumstead founded Beachbums Import Co. more than six years ago in an effort to create a line of durable, handmade stone floor and wall coverings while ensuring fair labour practices are being observed and environmental standards are upheld. Their partnership with Indonesian workers is a great example of sustainable global business. Today, more than 2,400 people are supported through this micro-economic, value-added model.
The idea of attaching stone to a mesh backing to create a floor and wall covering product was created by Rudy Laurens, a licensed Indonesian beachstone harvester. Heather and Jeff partnered with Rudy to create the Nusantara Stone Mosaics ™ brand that would reach around the world.
A recent achievement for Beachbums is the receipt of EcoLogo certification for their Nusantara Stone Mosaics™ products.
Beachbums ensure that their beachstone harvest is carefully controlled (for the wellbeing of both the workers and wildlife), that a minimal amount of energy is used in the production of the mosaics and that the most efficient means of transportation is sourced. Whether by harvesting this raw material from a continuous, renewable supply or by filling the 70% of vacant space in shipping containers with light weight, locally produced crafts and household items, Beachbums has gone the extra mile to provide socially and environmentally responsible products.
For more about Nusantara Stone Mosaics, visit www.nusantaramosaics.com.