Rodentia Resin

I started making and selling resin jewelry in early 2022. I have tried to make my resin work as environmentally conscious as possible. All of the bones I use are collected humanely from owl pellets or ethically harvested carcasses. I am currently working on transitioning to all recycled and biodegradable packaging and materials.

What is an owl pellet?

Owl pellets are condensed leftovers from the owl's meal that could not be digested. Pellets can include bones, fur, feathers, and even waste that was accidentally ingested. Once a pellet is formed within the crop, the owl will regurgitate the pellet.

How do I collect pellets?

Through working in wildlife rehabilitation, I am charged with taking care of many owl ambassadors and patients. Part of my job is to clean up after them, including their pellets. I asked my supervisors if it was alright for me to start setting aside the pellets. With their permission, I started collecting them as often as possible. I gave some of my coworkers a few of my first jewelry pieces, which prompted them to start collecting pellets for me as well. 

Sustainability

From the very beginning of Rodentia, I have made efforts to hit the ground running on sustainability and environmental friendliness. This page shows a breakdown of the sustainable products I currently use and what I would like to do in the future.

Current efforts

Business cards

My current business cards are made from 100% recycled cotton from old t-shirts. They are tree-free, which is what I like! They are still high in quality and have nice color print.

Mailers

The mailers I use for shipping are made from 50% recycled materials and 10% post-consumer waste. While they are not completely recycled, they are still a much better option than other mailer options. In addition, they were designed to be reused once received by the customer.

Honeycomb packing wrap

To keep each product safe, I use 100% biodegradable kraft paper wrap in my packaging. This is a great eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap and clings to itself, so your items are even more secure. Like the mailers I use, the honeycomb pack wrap can also be reused for shipping other items.

Kraft pillow boxes

Each of my products is tucked nicely into a kraft paper pillow box. These are completely recyclable, with no waxy coating on the outside.

Display cards

Display cards are made from kraft paper as well, so they are also recyclable. I mostly use the display cards for live sales however, I may occasionally use them to secure an item during shipping.

Ecopoxy

Ecopoxy is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional resin mixes you can buy online or in stores. It is 100% bio-based and made from annually renewable recourses.

Future plans

Stickers

I would like to start adding stickers to my packaging and branding to give it a little more personality. I am currently researching different sticker manufacturing options to find the most affordable and eco-friendly option. In addition, I would like to start using the same stickers for my shipping labels.