Foundations of Beekeeping

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The Koster Keunen Global Sustainability Program

What We Do is as Important as How We Do It

Koster Keunen believes that creating more sustainable lives is how we should all be measured. That’s why we created We Are All One Hive – a worldwide sustainability initiative with ambitious goals. This program is a serious commitment to a healthy ecosystem with a fair and safe supply chain.

koster keunenThe Koster Keunen Worldwide Sustainability Initiative

Koster Keunen believes that creating more sustainable lives is how we should all be measured. When you choose Koster Keunen, you help expand our worldwide sustainability initiative – called We Are All One Hive – which creates more sustainable lives by:

  • Sourcing and enhancing more sustainable beeswax.
  • Creating, training and partnering with local beekeepers.
  • Providing resources that elevate beekeeping communities.

Koster Keunen’s approach is supported by the three pillars of our sustainability program; Environmental, Social, Economic. By implementing better harvesting processes, working with and educating local beekeepers, and taking action to reduce our impact on the environment, we are setting a goal to leave the world better off than when we found it.

Planet Earth and leaves with the words Environmental Sustainability underneath
Two hands grasp in a handshake, with the words Social Sustainability underneath
Rotating arrows around a dollar sign with the words Economic Sustainability underneath

A Leader in environmental Sustainability

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Sourcing and Enhancing More Sustainable Beeswax

With a dedication to innovation, ethical sourcing, and sustainable harvesting processes, Koster Keunen provides the world’s best waxes, while significantly improving the planet in the process.

Koster Keunen created the first certified, 100% sustainably-sourced beeswax in the world.

In 2008, Koster Keunen became
the first natural wax company in the United States to obtain the USDA Organic Handling Certificate.

USDA Organic Seal

Our Watertown, CT facility is powered by a 660kw solar array, offsetting almost 900 tons of carbon emissions per year.

Our beeswax processing uses only recycled water, conserving a valuable and often scarce resource in many parts of the world.

A Partner for Social Sustainability

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Creating, Training and Partnering with Local Beekeepers

The majority of our beeswax is sourced from small stakeholder farms at the village level, ensuring economic benefits for the people working with the bees.

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This is one thing we could do to make their lives easier, and we’re proud to do it.

 

Quotation marks around the words John Koster

President of Koster Keunen

Supplying Tools for Safe and Successful Harvesting

We distribute essential beekeeping equipment donations to communities in need to ensure that their health and safety become and remain sustainable, as well.

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Bee Suits

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Veils

Icon of a handheld smoker used for tending to beehives

Smokers

Icon of a brush used for tending to beehives

Bee Brushes

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Bicycles

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Tents

A Commitment to Economic Sustainability

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Providing Resources That Elevate Beekeeping Communities

With a dedication to innovation, ethical sourcing, and sustainable harvesting processes, Koster Keunen provides the world’s best waxes, while significantly improving the planet in the process.

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Beekeepers in West Africa trained in best beekeeping practices and paid fair living wages
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Increase in crop yield and food production from farms using bees as pollinators
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People in rural West Africa positively affected by our sustainability efforts and local partnerships
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Contributed to Collaborations with USAID in West Africa

Every day, Koster Keunen goes to great lengths – inventing scientific ways to improve waxes, sending our people around the world to support beekeeping efforts, and placing the fruits of this labor right in your hands.

Stay up to date with our Sustainability Initiatives