Our Sustainability Mission

At Purslane, we have made a commitment to work toward zero waste. This requires that we compost, recycle, and upcycle everything we use to bring our events to life.

This commitment is driven by the desire to minimize microplastic contamination in our food supply and the fact that food waste alone accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

We carefully plan our menus, operations, and ordering down to the smallest details to reduce the need for trash.

Key Practices

Certified Scope 3 Carbon Neutral: This requires that we take a comprehensive approach to offset the carbon impact of our entire business, including our supply chain and sourcing practices. By investing in regenerative agriculture and other carbon capture projects across the United States and globally, we ensure that our operations are carbon neutral.

Composting + Recycling: At our events, we make sure that any potential waste is properly managed. We reclaim all items and direct them to the appropriate channels, whether it's composting, upcycling, or recycling. We apply the same level of care and attention to the food and items we send out in our drop-off and delivery program.

Disposables: When disposables are necessary for drop-offs or events, we use only eco-friendly options. For full-service drop-offs, we provide 100% biodegradable and BPI-certified compostable products. When delivering straight to you, we opt for recyclable materials. Through these choices, we actively work to divert waste from landfills and minimize our environmental impact.

Our Partners in Operations

  • Terracycle: Pioneers in developing innovative recycling and reuse solutions for various materials.

  • Noissue: Provides sustainable and recyclable packaging materials, such as compostable mailers and biodegradable stickers.

  • Metropolitan Recycling and Waste (compost): Local composting facility that processes our organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, diverting it from landfills.

Glossary of Terms

Biodegradable: A material that can decompose naturally and blend back into the earth given the right conditions, such as the presence of microorganisms, fungi, or bacteria. Ideally, the decomposition process should not leave behind any toxic residue.

BPI-Certified: A product that has undergone a stringent testing process and has been verified to meet the Biodegradable Products Institute's compostability standards, ensuring that it can break down safely in commercial composting facilities.

Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), released into the atmosphere directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product throughout its lifecycle. Measuring and reducing carbon footprints is essential for mitigating climate change.

Carbon Neutral: Achieving a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and an equal amount of independently verified carbon offsets, resulting in what is also known as net zero emissions.

Compostable: A material that can fully decompose into non-toxic components that support plant growth when provided with appropriate conditions, such as in a composting facility.

Renewable Energy: Energy obtained from naturally replenishing sources, including sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources have a lower environmental impact and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Zero Waste: A goal of eliminating waste sent to landfills or incinerators by minimizing waste generation, maximizing recycling and composting, and finding alternative uses for materials.

Our Mission-Aligned Community Partners

Our Suppliers and Partners in the Agricultural Community

The majority of Purslane’s current vendors align with and share our mission to support sustainable, local, and seasonal practices. We strive for as diverse a supplier network as possible, and given the option, we prioritize women- and minority-owned businesses over competitors.

  • Satur Farms, Cutchoge, NY | Seasonal Produce

  • Stokes Farm | Old Tappan, NJ | Seasonal Produce, Fruit

  • Blue Moon Acres | Pennington, NJ | Specialty Produce

  • Norwich Meadows Farm | Norwich, NY | Seasonal Herbs, Produce

  • Lancaster Farm Fresh | Lancaster County, PA | Seasonal Produce

  • Locust Grove Fruit Farm | Milton, NY | Seasonal Fruit

  • Caradonna Farms | Marlboro, NY | Seasonal Produce, Fruit

  • Paisanos Butcher Shop, Brooklyn, NY | Sustainably-Sourced Meat from the Midwest

  • DemKota Ranch Beef | South Dakota | High-quality Beef Produced by Local Partners

  • Go Fish Co. | North Bergen, NJ | Local, Sustainable Seafood

  • Bella Bella | Sullivan County, NY | Duck

  • Nature’s Sensation | Millsboro, DE | Chicken

  • Mennella’s Poultry Co | Paterson, NJ | Chicken, Lamb, Goat

  • Senat Poultry | Paterson, NJ | Halal Poultry

Want to learn more and get involved?