Do you buy necessities online or still have some holiday shopping to do? Do you want a marketplace that has sustainable products and uses eco-friendly shipping materials? If so, you may be interested in Lochtree, an online marketplace focused on sustainability and zero waste goals.
The following is an interview with Henry Palmer, CEO of Lochtree and Newton resident, in which he explains how Lochtree works with Newton residents and others in the greater Boston area.
How do Lochtree’s services help people in Newton or the East Coast live more sustainably and protect the environment?
Lochtree creates greater access to eco-friendly products by providing a curated selection on an easy to use website. Products are also shipped directly to customers using carbon offsetting and eco-friendly delivery materials and shipment. Instead of being individually packaged, packages are sent all together, which has been shown to have a smaller carbon footprint.
If people want to start shopping more sustainably, they can look into conscious consumerism. For example, it’s better to buy a shampoo bar instead of shampoo in plastic bottles the next time you run out of shampoo. Throwing out all plastic products at once is wasteful, even if they contain plastic.
It’s much easier to make sustainable changes if you do it with a measured approach, in a way that works for you.
What is the most important thing you want people to know about Lochtree’s services? What is Lochtree’s most important message?
I want people to know that Lochtree is an independently driven company. We’re in business to make sustainability easily accessible for consumers.
Our main message is sustainability can be for everyone. It’s not a binary choice, so small changes can make big differences. We believe that the best way to reduce consumption is to make smaller trips for necessities or shop at a fewer variety of stores.
What are the benefits of Lochtree’s services compared to more conventional ones? How is Lochtree different from other sustainable online marketplaces?
Our products are all sustainable and have a reason for being on Lochtree. Even though some products contain plastic, they are reusable, since we don’t provide single use products. All products are also eco friendly, support environmental nonprofits, and offset carbon.
More conventional companies may advertise random purchases that may not be aligned with sustainable values, but Lochtree’s products are deliberately curated and placed on the website. Brick and mortar refill stores provide similar results to Lochtree, but are not necessarily accessible or convenient for everyone.
Lochtree is an independent company, so we are able to make decisions that align with zero waste goals, such as packaging products in an eco-friendly way and providing sustainable products. However, Lochtree isn’t trying to be the Amazon of eco-friendly products. It’s more of a boutique store, where products are selected based on their quality.
How did you come up with Lochtree and what was the process of starting a business?
I started Lochtree during COVID-19, since I have two small children and became concerned for their future and my own. After I asked myself how I could reduce waste in my life and my family’s, I started Lochtree after I found that other people have similar needs as me for sustainable marketplace options. I have a background in e-commerce and used to be a Green Newton board member, so I had some experience in the area before starting the business.
What was the most difficult part of getting Lochtree up and running?
Starting a business is challenging, like riding a roller coaster with ups and downs. The hardest part is being comfortable with being uncomfortable, but it does get easier as the business starts to grow. Developing a business is also a lonely venture compared to more conventional jobs, but I am part of a network of other small ecommerce brands.
If you want to learn more about Lochtree, make sure to visit lochtree.com. You can also use the discount code GREENNEWTON on Lochtree for 15% off your entire purchase.
Author Cecilia Buckley is a Northeastern University junior and Green Newton intern.
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