Our sustainability story
Eqology has always been committed to minimising our impact on the planet, therefore sustainability is at the forefront of our growth strategy. We are continuously looking for ways in which we can improve our impact on the environment, and transparency is key in our communication with our customers as we grow sustainably.
Nutrition and wellness
Eqology is a leading Omega-3 and healthy-ageing company headquartered in Oslo, Norway, our company philosophy is “We change people’s lives for the better.” Our mission is to inspire our customers to adopt a healthier lifestyle. We are committed to the continuous development and innovation of nutraceutical health concepts while simultaneously maintaining a positive impact on our natural resources.
Made in Norway
As a Norwegian based company, we have access to some of the best raw materials from the fjords and fields in the pristine Norwegian nature. We source our ingredients from responsible suppliers who promote sustainable fishing and production methods. Our suppliers are required to accept our Code of Conduct which outlines Eqology’s sustainability goals and requirements. Our packaging is 100% recyclable. We are continuously challenging our partners to increase the percentage of packaging materials derived from recycled materials.
Sustainable fishing
Fishing has become an industry that heavily impacts the environment. Overfishing will cause certain species of fish to become endangered and extinct. This is not an outcome that Eqology wants to contribute to or be a part of. Our top priority is to have a close collaboration between the marine refining industry and fishermen to utilise 100 % of the fish that are caught and used in our products. Our fisheries are family owned and have a long history and experience in this industry. They have always shared our point of view about the importance of sustainable fishing and utilising everything we harvest from nature. As early as 1985, they started utilising the trimmings from the processing plant to make our Omega-3 products from Arctic cod and later also collagen peptides from cod skins.
Collaborating with fisheries who have sustainability and premium quality as their utmost priority, has resulted in Eqology Pure Arctic Oil. One of the best Omega-3 products on the market. Fish and fish oils are fresh products, and it is a prerequisite that the raw material is processed quickly. The health benefit is greater with the consumption of fresh quality versus the alternative. The best indication of how fresh and premium an Omega-3 fish oil is, is the taste. The freshness of the oil can also be revealed by checking the TOTOX value. TOTOX refers to the Total Oxidation Value and is used to evaluate the rancidity and quality of the oil. A TOTOX value above 26 can be harmful to the human body, and Pure Arctic Oil has one of the lowest levels in any Omega-3 product at 4-6.
MSC-certification
For the consumer who is conscious about supporting brands that prioritise sustainability, may be familiar with the MSC standard. The Marine Stewardship Council is a non-profit organisation that works with protecting the future of our oceans and fish stocks, while still enjoying seafood and acknowledging the health benefits that fish can have in our diets.
The MSC standard as well as Norwegian fishing regulations are among the strictest in the world. Marine Stewardship Council regularly reviews its standard to ensure that it remains the leading measure of fisheries sustainability. As recently as October 2022, MSC published the latest version of its standard, containing improvements to better protect marine biodiversity and incentivising stronger ocean governance.
The Marine Stewardship Council has conducted an assessment of the fisheries used by Eqology and the conclusion was clear: Eqology exceeded the international best practice for sustainable fishing. We are proud that we are able to carry the blue MSC logo on our products containing fish such as Pure Arctic Oil, Pure Arctic Oil for Kids, Pure Arctic Oil Gold and Marine Collagen Premium+.
Our supplier enables our customers to track every bottle of Pure Arctic Oil they buy, to see exactly which vessel was used and where in the Arctic Sea the fish were caught.
Terra Creta
The organic cold-pressed Olive Oil used in Pure Arctic Oil is called Terra Creta. It is made from olives grown in Crete, Greece. The olive tree farms in Crete are owned by local families, rather than big companies. Every step in the process of cultivating and producing the extra virgin oil is focused on giving back to the environment. The animals feed on the leaves, the water used for washing the olives is returned to the olive groves for irrigation. The farmers also use oil cakes as fuel for heating water for household needs. For more than 15 years, the Terra Creta factory has had an online tracking system for consumers. It includes a complete laboratory analysis and satellite photos of the exact field location where the olive oil originated. When a farmer delivers a batch of olives to a squeeze plant, they receive a unique barcode that accompanies the olives in an online system throughout the entire production process. This system tracks the oil in the way of storage, spill and delivery worldwide.
Terra Creta Olive Oil tests prove that the Extra Virgin Olive Oil used in Pure Arctic Oil do not contain:
- Heavy metals
- PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Carbohydrates)
- Dioxins
- Halogen solvents
Recent initiatives for better sustainability that have implemented include:
- The measuring spoons for Marine Collagen Premium+ are made from sugarcane and 100% biodegradable.
- The measuring cups for Pure Arctic Oil are 100% biodegradable.
- The measuring spoons for Pure Arctic Oil and Eqology Shakes are no longer sent out automatically in order to reduce waste.
- Our warehouses are committed to reducing their CO2 emissions during transport and are continuously making improvements.
- The boxes used for shipping are FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council)
- The glass and plastic bottles used for Pure Arctic Oil, Pure Arctic Oil for Kids, Pure Vegan Oil and Pure Arctic Oil Gold are 100% recyclable.
Our sustainable sourcing targets towards 2025:
- 50% plastic packaging made of recycled or renewable materials
- 75% of packaging made of recycled materials
- Achieve verified sustainable production of key raw materials
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup
Making sure that Eqologys products are made and distributed in a sustainable manner is important, but in order to achieve that, we need to maintain healthy oceans. That is why we partnered with Big Blue Ocean Cleanup who do incredible work towards preserving our oceans and cleaning them up. Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is an international, non-profit organisation with a mission to drive positive change towards clean oceans that support all marine wildlife and sustainable living, and to minimise disturbance from human development and climate change.
100% of the donations go back to non-profit organisations (marine research, ocean cleanups, further raising the awareness).
