09.20.24
Our friends at Meow Meow Tweet tick all of our boxes for exceptional skincare:
Ethically made, sustainable packaging, vegan, non-gendered, and priced accessibly.
We sat down with Tara, one of Meow Meow Tweet's co-founders, to take a dive deep into their sustainable story.
ECOBAGS: First, thank you so much for taking the time to dish on all things Meow Meow Tweet! Meow Meow Tweet started in 2009 with your first product being handmade, natural soap. Can you tell us more about this product?
MEOW MEOW TWEET:
Our bar soaps can often be overlooked, but they are indeed where it all started. In 2008, we started making soap in our apartment in Brooklyn after Tara’s grandmother gifted us a bar of handmade soap.
Our curiosity made us wonder why a handmade soap left our skin feeling so much better than a commercial bar. It was also so luxurious and special to use! Our bar soaps are truly a head-to-toe product, made with only ethically sourced, organic plants to soothe and moisturize skin. We like to think that one of life’s simplest pleasures is a bar of handmade soap.
ECOBAGS: Your team takes the time and energy to source ingredients that are sustainable, ethically produced, certified organic, and non-GMO. Not only that, but you also create house-made extractions and all of your products by hand in your microfactory based in California. How do you think this level of care reflects in your product’s performance?
MEOW MEOW TWEET:
We are craftspeople first, and to us that means committing to process and materials. Plants are amazing, and we want you to experience them as close to their original form as possible! We believe that an ecosystem of effective skin care starts with plants.
By making everything in small batches not only are we able to provide the freshest, highest quality products for you but we also pour our hearts into each product.
We often remind our team that every single product goes to a single person, so whether they’re making 100 deodorants or sending their 100th email, every jar, and every message matters.
Small batch is a mindset.
ECOBAGS: Meow Meow Tweet recently reduced their paper consumption through packaging and packing materials by 60%.
That’s a massive amount!
You’ve done a lot of work to minimize waste and carbon emissions, do you have any tips for other businesses looking to do the same?
MEOW MEOW TWEET:
Little changes can have a big impact!
We did an end-to-end audit of our products, including the design.
The small design changes that we made after the audit accumulated to create a huge reduction in waste overall.
And the changes weren’t fancy either. Sometimes, the stuff that is unseen and not exciting to talk about from a marketing perspective is where the juice is!
ECOBAGS: How has Meow Meow Tweet adapted to continue to offer products in sustainable packaging even after the changes to the supply chain and increased cost of materials?
MEOW MEOW TWEET:
It hasn’t been easy but we give lots of thanks to our loyal customers who have stuck with us and trust that the changes we make are for the best.
Switching to metal for the majority of our bottles and jars has been a big game changer and has made the most sense for our products. Metal is more likely to be recycled, is less likely to break, and weighs much less, which really makes it a win!
We view customer education as a cornerstone of the brand, and our customers have come to know that we are doing our best, and we’ve built a lot of trust over the years.
ECOBAGS: We’re big fans of Meow Meow Tweet’s commitment to create products for every body.
What would you say to someone who's a little hesitant about trying skincare that’s made for everyone?
MEOW MEOW TWEET:
A lot of the beauty industry is set on making you believe that you need all these different products and a wildly complicated routine to get happy, healthy skin.
We have a two-pronged approach to our messaging and our routines. First, we never use shame or fear to sell products. We promote joy and comfort in one’s own skin, whatever that means to each person. In terms of our routines, it’s actually quite simple: cleanse, hydrate, and moisturize!
You don’t need much to feel good in your skin, we aim to make it simple. There are an unending number of ways to express and embody beauty and self-care. We practice all scents, all textures, all products—for all people.
ECOBAGS: What led you to pair up with ECOBAGS and start selling our Soap Saver Bags in 2020?
MEOW MEOW TWEET:
We are all about how to make our products last longer and give our customers the most bang for their buck! That’s why we were over the moon to find ECOBAGS, which are incredible quality, cute-as-heck soap saver bags.
We love that the bags help you not only store your bar of soap but also exfoliate and travel with it, all while helping your bar last the longest! The fact that your values and mission align with ours is just the icing on top, we make a great team!
ECOBAGS: What are Meow Meow Tweet’s aspirations for 2025?
MEOW MEOW TWEET:
We have some new limited-edition products coming your way, and we are always working on lessening our waste and environmental impact. Slowing down, staying small, and having a measurable impact on our community inspires and moves us.
We are proud to support and work with independent businesses like Meow Meow Tweet. Learn more about Meow Meow Tweet's journey and amazing products by clicking the link below!
