Below are a few of the ways that we work hard to minimise our impact on the environment

Our beans are delivered to us in 25kg sacks, once emptied these are then collected by local tradesmen who use them to store loose parts and fittings.

Okara is the leftover pulp from soybeans after making tofu. We collect this pulp into bags which are then picked up by a local dung beetle farming company. The okara is fed to cows as part of their diet which then contributes to nutrient-rich dung that the dung beetles thrive on.

Animal farming is a major industry in New Zealand that collectively produces around 100 million tonnes of dung per year that is deposited on our pastures. The run-off is steadily degrading our waterways, while the residual mess infects the animals and impoverishes the pastures.

In 2011 dung beetles were introduced to New Zealand farming where they happily and rapidly process vast quantities of dung. Beetle tunnelling leads to increased aeration of the soil allowing water to penetrate better. Tunnelling and dung burial also result in increased grass root growth and biological activity in soils under and adjacent to dung pats. Dung beetle activity, therefore, leads to reduced run-off of rainfall and better retention of dung and urine in the soil. This, in turn, results in reduced microbial contamination in run-off and less pollution.

For more information go to dungbeetles.co.nz

We have a local Shitake mushroom growing company who collect our okara as the protein in okara serves as a nitrogen source for fertilizing soil with the fibre content improving soil texture.

Our cardboard boxes for Original Tofu and distribution packaging can be recycled along with other paper and cardboard. Our plastic wrappers are essential in keeping the product fresh and safe for travel & consumption, you may recycle them using the soft plastics recycling scheme available at your local supermarket. We are always searching and looking for new technologies in packaging that work with our manufacturing processes and are low cost enough to continue to make our products affordable for the consumer.

We have a no-waste policy here at Chalmers and any products that aren’t suitable for sale are gifted to local charities such as KiwiHarvest.org.nz who redistribute our unsaleable product to those that are struggling to feed themselves and their families.

We also use our factory seconds to help support community events such as sausage sizzles and supporting Conservation Volunteers New Zealand with their beach clean-ups and planting days.