Salt is one of the most important minerals harvested. Although most people think of salt as an ingredient in cooking or associate it with seasoning, it has various other uses. For example, industrial salt is used in oil and gas drilling, chemical manufacturing, water treatment, and various other sectors. Thus, it’s not surprising that nearly 90% of all salt produced is not food-grade salt. As more and more businesses aim to reduce their ecological footprint, sourcing sustainable salt has become increasingly important. Industrial companies aim to shorten their salt supply chains by partnering with local harvesters. Eco-friendly restaurants and retailers also aim to purchase regular or gourmet salt that’s sustainably sourced. In this post, we’ll share more about ethical and sustainable practices in salt harvesting. Make sure to also check our post on the different salt business opportunities.
Key takeaway: Salt is the most popular type of condiment. As an important ingredient and seasoning product, it has followed the trends in the food industry for sustainability. Salt harvested through the solar evaporation process is considered the most sustainable salt. That’s especially true if it’s locally sourced. On the other hand, the least sustainable salts are the ones mined without any consideration for ecological impact. Transported from far away and non-recyclable and non-refillable packaging solutions can also make the final product less sustainable.
What Is Sustainable Salt
Sustainable salt is harvested in a way that guarantees minimum impact on the environment. Furthermore, ethical considerations such as fair wages and good working conditions are also considered when sourcing sustainable salt. Salt mining can also lead to droughts. Thus, efficient water usage also plays a role in the sustainability of salt.
Energy usage also plays an important role in salt sustainability. Although solar evaporation is one of the primary methods used in salt harvesting, some companies use machinery to speed up the process. In addition, salt is an abundant natural resource. That’s why its price is very cheap. However, transportation and packaging play a significant role in the final cost. Businesses that purchase wholesale salt should source it from local producers. This will not only make it more sustainable but will also reduce the cost of goods sold.
How Businesses Can Source Sustainable Salt
Whether your business is in the restaurant industry or you purchase industrial salt in bulk, you might be wondering how to source sustainable salt that won’t increase the ecological footprint of your company. Here are a few tips in that regard.
- Choose salt that has been harvested in a sustainable manner. That includes primarily sea salt produced through solar evaporation. Mined rock salt can also be considered sustainable if it’s harvested with minimal environmental disruptions.
- Ask for certifications. Possessing an organic and fair trade certificate will show that the producer is committed to sustainable practices. ISO 14001 is one of the most reputable internationally-recognized certifications for environmental management.
- Buying from local producers will make your business less prone to supply chain disruptions and will also reduce your transportation costs.
- Packaging plays an important role in salt sustainability. In order to achieve high ROI, some manufacturers of specialty salts put them in non-recyclable and non-refillable containers. Thus, make sure you order salt in refillable or at least recyclable packaging solutions.
- In order to know if you’re working with a sustainable supplier, make sure they offer complete traceability and transparency of their supply chains. This includes information on the salt’s origin, details about the labor practices and the environmental impact, and whether third-party sustainability assessments are used.
How Businesses Can Benefit from Sustainable Salt
There are various ways for restaurant businesses and other companies to benefit from sustainable salt. Here are a few ideas.
- Business owners can market their products as sustainable. That includes not only companies that sell gourmet or specialty salts but also businesses that offer salt-based wellness products, bath salts, and other goods.
- Food service establishments can fill their restaurant condiment holders as a way to further limit their ecological footprint.
- Although the market share of gourmet salts is fairly small compared to the overall global salt market, they have a much higher price. Thus, customers who buy premium salt products are from the higher income percentile and are more likely to also look for sustainable products.
- Businesses can use sustainable salt and other products produced in an eco-friendly manner as part of their marketing efforts. That includes creating blog posts on the benefits of sustainable salt, creating social media content related to that, and using other means to educate consumers on the importance of sustainable sourcing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sustainable Salt
Whether you’re a manager in the food and beverage industry or you’re looking for business ideas, you’ll find valuable information on a variety of topics on BlueCart’s website. From tips on proper inventory management to guides on wholesale prices, you can benefit from various resources. Below are the answers to common questions regarding sustainable salt.
Is Salt Sustainable?
The environmental impact of salt depends on a variety of factors. In order to be sustainable, salt needs to be harvested without using a lot of energy. That’s why solar evaporation is one of the main methods. Salt packaging also plays a role in the sustainability of the product. Refillable and sustainable packaging solutions have become more common in recent years. It’s also recommended that salt be sourced from local sources. This means the transportation impact is significantly lower. On the other hand, industrial-mined salt is considered to be the least sustainable option.
Is Himalayan Salt Sustainable?
Although Himalayan salt is considered one of the healthiest types of salt, there are significant sustainability concerns regarding this product. It’s mined in Pakistan and travels a long way to end up on grocery store shelves in the US and Europe. That significantly increases its ecological footprint and its price. Other reasons why Himalayan salt is not considered sustainable are the fact that it’s a finite resource, its mining can cause ecological disruptions, and it requires high energy usage. Although there are companies that offer more sustainable Himalayan salt, it’s better to buy locally sourced sea salt or other types of gourmet finishing salt.
Are Other Restaurant Spices Sourced Sustainably?
In recent years, sustainability has become a major trend among various niche markets. That’s why growers and processors of herbs and spices have been focusing on making their business more sustainable. Vanilla, cinnamon, and black pepper are among the most sustainably sourced spices. Cloves, nutmeg, and turmeric are also considered to have a moderate or high sustainability potential. On the other hand, saffron and cardamon are considered to be less sustainable.
To identify which companies are selling spices that are sustainable, ask for their organic and fair trade certifications.
BlueCart: The Wholesale Platform to Buy Sustainable Goods
Companies that want to buy wholesale products that are sourced sustainably can use BlueCart’s marketplace. Our platform allows bulk buyers to find vendors in various fields. BlueCart is also a preferred wholesale ordering software for many distributors. With features related to invoicing, automation, and route planning, our platform can help you make your business more efficient. Furthermore, BlueCart is suitable for both specialized and broadline distributors looking to increase their B2B sales. Schedule your demo today and see how our eCommerce platform can boost your business!