At Neuma, "sustainability" is more than just a buzzword—it's at the heart of everything we do, and we believe that everyone has the power to make a difference. As a brand committed to creating clean, eco-friendly hair care products, we understand the importance of preserving our planet for future generations. That's why this Earth Day, we want to celebrate our partnership with Trees for the Future (TREES), a nonprofit organization that helps communities around the world plant trees, and showcase exactly how our brand ethos (planet, people, performance) is making a positive impact on our world + all of those who call it home!
Let's start with who we're impacting. The answer is several communities worldwide! Neuma's donations to Trees for the Future help transform lives, protect the planet, empower women and end poverty. Each tree planted contributes to the production of fruit, raw materials needed to start rural businesses, fuel, shade and medicine while simultaneously helping to combat climate change, restore degraded lands and improve agricultural productivity. Our donated funds have also helped implement Forest Garden Programs (composed of at least 30% women) across nine counties in sub-Saharan Africa. With the innovative Forest Garden Approach, hope is seeded for impoverished communities grappling with scarce resources and barren lands. Researchers have discovered that the power of agroforestry can help bring an end to hunger and poverty while breathing new life into the natural environment. This transformational method is a true testament to the resilience of both the earth and its residents and the potential for positive, sustainable change.
Here are just a few of the incredible women who are changing the world with their Forest Gardens:
Victoria Akoth is a Kenyan Forest Garden farmer who not only cultivates fresh produce, but also has the power to create flourishing communities! Her innovative approach to harvesting, packaging and selling seeds has completely transformed the lives of those around her. Previously limited to growing only a few types of cereal grains, the 38-year-old mother of five now produces a variety of vegetables such as spinach, kale, onions, potatoes and eggplants in her Forest Garden. Thanks to Trees for the Future’s Forest Garden Program, she can now feed and support her family throughout the year. But Victoria doesn't stop there! By selling affordable, high-quality seeds to her community, she empowers others to grow their gardens and become self-sufficient. Her incredible efforts and entrepreneurship are truly an inspiration to us all.
Meet Jeanne d’Arc Sambou, an inspiring 45-year-old farmer and mother of four from Fatick, Senegal. Sambou joined Trees for the Future’s Forest Garden program in 2020 and has since learned how to protect and diversify her land using agroforestry and the Forest Garden Approach. Through her hard work and dedication, Sambou earned $286 USD from her latest harvest; this income has allowed her to support her family, pay for her children’s education and enroll her entire family in a healthcare plan. Sambou plans to continue growing her business by setting up a poultry house and purchasing solar panels, with dreams of becoming the leading produce supplier to hotels and restaurants in her area. Her ultimate goal is to become the primary supplier of fresh produce to local hotels and restaurants. We are in awe of Sambou’s resilience and ambition to create a sustainable future for herself and her community!
Salma Mussa, a farmer living in Tanzania, witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of deforestation and unsustainable practices on her land. It was challenging and expensive for her to grow crops such as maize, sweet potatoes and pumpkins due to the loss of valuable soil and biodiversity. But everything changed in 2019 after joining the Tubadilike Farmer Group and enrolling in Trees for the Future's Forest Garden program. With the help of her 14 fellow farmers and the four-year program, Salma learned how to use trees and sustainable farming practices to regenerate her land. Today, when Salma looks around her property, she sees a thriving farm almost unrecognizable from two years ago. The transformation represents the power of dedicated individuals and nonprofits like Trees for the Future that are committed to creating sustainable and thriving communities!
Next, we'll look at what exactly it is we’re doing. Our partnership with Trees for the Future has been instrumental in our sustainability journey. For every Neuma product sold, we plant one tree, which helps to reforest areas in need and support communities across the globe—trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants, clean the air we breathe, prevent soil erosion and provide a habitat for wildlife. Since our partnership began in 2018, we have planted over 25,000 trees, which equates to over 25 acres of forest!
Where/When are environments being affected? Trees for the Future works with communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America to plant trees and restore degraded lands, helping to reverse the damage caused by deforestation and land degradation.
Why do we do take part in this? As a hair care brand, we take responsibility for protecting the planet seriously and firmly believe that beauty and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Our goal is to inspire not just our customers but the hair care industry as a whole to be more environmentally conscious. We want to show that it is possible to make a difference on a global scale, and adopting eco-friendly practices start with small steps that build up to significant change. Our products empower you to show love to your hair and the planet, one wash at a time.
How are we doing our part? We've gone beyond working with Trees for the Future and are also a part of the organization 1% For the Planet meaning that we donate 1% of profits to environmental initiatives! In terms of the ingredients and packaging of our products, Neuma sets (and raises) the bar, from total ingredient transparency to eco-friendly production and packaging, creating tomorrow’s clean hair care from the inside out. We've worked so hard to develop clean, vegan formulas powered by Earth-first innovation along with 100% recyclable bottles. Plus, our products are free from synthetic fragrances and toxic chemicals, ensuring they're safe for you and the environment. In this way, our brand proves clean, sustainable beauty is possible without compromising performance. You CAN have both!
What does commitment to sustainability mean for you? Recycling? Switching to eco-friendly products? As a consumer or stylist, you have the power to make a difference with every purchase you make. By choosing Neuma products, you're investing in your hair's health, the planet's well-being and the empowerment of others. Because to us, our commitment to Earth is more than just an annual event. We hope our actions encourage others to take similar steps and join in on the clean beauty movement!