Ethical Practices

Earth & Ocean has implemented various ethical practices that set us apart from other businesses.

Our materials come from natural and recycled sources.  Wood comes from local farms around the North Island of New Zealand; some wood is purchased from small businesses and some comes from property owners disposing of felled trees.  When we acquire wood for free we give a koha (Māori for 'donation') to the property owner.

All sea shells used in our products were gathered by beach combing and did not contain any live animals when gathered; we do not use sea shells or other marine organisms that are gathered by diving or found in tide pools.  No shells were gathered in protected areas or areas that were under a rahui (Māori word meaning a temporary ban on gathering natural resources from a specific area) at the time of gathering.

Materials not gathered by us are purchased by independent sellers and small businesses located in various countries, often through Etsy, Trade Aid and Felt.  We only purchase materials that are 100% natural without dyes, paint or other manmade additives.

Stones used have been professionally tumbled with various grits of sand to achieve their desired smoothness.  Sea glass has not been further tumbled or smoothed after gathering.

Tapa cloth is purchased from private sellers and small businesses in Tonga & Fiji.  Amber is purchased from sellers in baltic nations such as Lithuania & Estonia. When customers purchase products with these materials they are helping to foster entrepreneurism in these nations.

Recycled metals com from various sources such as used electronics (e. g. copper extracted from circuit boards and electric motors), junked vehicle bodies (e. g. from vehicle salvage companies), recycled food and beverage cans and other sources.  All metals are thoroughly cleaned before smelting and thoroughly filtered for impurities during the smelting process.