Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want.
Anna Lappé
Let’s talk about the planet.
We don’t call ourselves a sustainable brand. Because ultimately, we are making new products and putting them out into the world. To claim that leaves zero footprint would be a bit of a stretch.
Instead, we focus on our responsibility. We want to make sure your "vote" pays for the things that actually matter: communities, exceptional harvests, and a future that stands a chance.
Here is exactly what we are working on right now:
- We are on our way to making all our packaging 100% recyclable, compostable, or reusable.
- We source directly from our farmers and reward them with higher prices for higher quality tea.
- We are building systems to ensure every single product is 100% traceable.
Our Partners
We don’t farm the tea. Our partners do. The magic is in their hands. That’s why we skip the exporters and the middlemen to build relationships directly at the source. We look for farmers who obsess over the harvest; the masters who know the exact moment to pick a leaf to capture it at its peak.
By cutting out the middlemen, we ensure the money goes straight to the people doing the work. But we don't dictate the terms. We pay our farmers the price they ask for, honoring the quality of their labor.
On average, our partners earn higher than the market commodity price. They get the resources to craft an exceptional crop, and you get tea that tastes incredible. Everyone wins.
Going Circular!
Packaging creates 40% of the planet’s plastic waste.
We read that eye-watering stat, and we decided to do things differently.
The Forever Tin Canisters
We treat our canisters like furniture for your pantry. We want them to be useful, but let’s be honest, we want them to look good, too. Refill it, reuse it, or use it to store your items. Check out our care page to explore the potential of our canisters.
Work in Progress: Our Refills Bags
Let’s be real for a second: producing a steel tin takes more energy than a flimsy plastic pouch. So, why did we choose it? The trade-off is all about quality. Matcha is sensitive to light and oxygen, and steel is the absolute best way to protect it, ensuring you never have to throw away stale tea. We are NOT a fan of food waste.
While we are currently finalizing our refill pouches for a target launch next season. Until then? Repurpose that tin for spices or pins, r recycle it indefinitely. We’re on it.
Traceability
Most brands look for the "Made in Japan" label and trust that it’s good enough. But Japan is a big place. We believe you deserve the full picture, not just the country, but the region, the harvest season, and the specific farm.
Why it matters
Real quality has nothing to hide. By showing you the journey, we’re proving that there are no fillers and no shortcuts. It's just honest tea grown by people who take pride in their craft.
How it works
On every Tomo product, you’ll find a Product Guide QR. Scan it to see the details of that specific batch.
We are working toward full traceability for every single item in the studio. As we grow, the data will only get better. It’s our way of giving you total peace of mind that what’s in your cup is the real deal.
