Sustainability isn’t just about reusable products.
It’s about sustaining the brands trying to build better alternatives in a disposable world.
And lately, that’s felt heavier than usual.
I don’t usually write about the behind-the-scenes side of running a small product-based business. But with tariff uncertainty and cost volatility increasing, I think it’s important to share what that actually looks like from this side.
Not politically.
Practically.
What Happened Last Week
Last week, two separate suppliers contacted me.
My packaging supplier — the one who produces our custom boxes — increased their prices.
My tote bag supplier also raised their costs.
Around the same time, material pricing shifted again.
These aren’t dramatic increases individually.
But they stack.
And when you’re a small sustainable brand operating on slim margins, stacking costs matter.
Like most small businesses, I do everything I can to avoid raising prices for customers.
I don’t want BYOB to become inaccessible.
I don’t want to compromise on materials.
I don’t want to cut corners.
But when tariffs shift or import costs fluctuate, those pressures don’t stay abstract.
They show up in real invoices.
Why Small Product-Based Brands Feel Tariffs Immediately
Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods or materials.
For many small businesses — especially those creating physical products — certain components or raw materials simply aren’t available domestically at scale.
When those tariffs change suddenly or unpredictably, it creates:
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Increased material costs
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Higher freight expenses
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Pressure on packaging
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Margin compression
Large corporations can often absorb or negotiate around these shifts.
Small brands usually can’t.
We don’t have the purchasing volume.
We don’t have layers of financial buffer.
We have intention.
We have values.
And we have very real spreadsheets.
Why Sustainable Brands Operate on Slim Margins
Choosing better materials isn’t the cheapest option.
Safer, food-grade silicone.
Thoughtful packaging.
Smaller batch production.
Those choices are intentional.
They’re also more expensive.
Sustainable brands often operate with tighter margins from the start because we’re building alternatives to disposable culture — not competing in a race to the bottom.
So when tariff uncertainty increases costs even slightly, the impact multiplies.
The Reality: Small Business Closures Are Rising
In a recent 12-month period, over one million U.S. business establishments closed.
Retail store closures increased by over 100% year over year from 2024 to 2025.
Not all of that is due to tariffs.
But cost volatility — including import duties and supply chain instability — adds pressure to already thin margins.
When sustainable brands close, we don’t just lose businesses.
We lose alternatives.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m not writing this to complain.
And I’m not writing this to justify raising prices.
I’m writing this because supporting sustainable brands during uncertain times is part of building the world we say we want.
If we want fewer disposable containers…
If we want safer materials…
If we want alternatives to single-use culture…
Then sustaining the brands building those solutions matters.
How You Can Support Small Businesses During Tariff Uncertainty
If you’ve ever wondered how to support small businesses right now, here are ways that genuinely make a difference:
⭐ Leave a review
📲 Share products you love
📧 Join email lists
🗣 Recommend brands to friends
💛 Send encouragement
These actions reduce marketing costs and strengthen stability — especially when operational costs are fluctuating.
And yes, shopping small when it makes sense helps too.
Sustainability Is About What We Sustain
Sustainability isn’t just about reusable products.
It’s about sustaining the brands trying to make them.
I’m doing everything I can to keep prices stable, maintain quality, and protect what we’ve built.
And if you’ve supported BYOB in any way — purchased, shared, reviewed, replied — I’m deeply grateful.
Because when you support small sustainable brands, you’re helping keep better options alive.
And that matters more than you might realize.
—
Bring Your Own Box,
Rachel
Frequently Asked Questions About Tariffs and Small Sustainable Businesses
How do tariffs affect small businesses?
Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods or materials. For small product-based businesses, especially those that rely on specific materials or packaging sourced internationally, tariff shifts can increase costs immediately. Unlike large corporations, small businesses often operate on slim margins and have limited ability to absorb sudden increases.
Why can’t small businesses just switch suppliers to avoid tariffs?
Switching suppliers isn’t simple. Tooling, molds, safety testing, quality control, and long-standing relationships take time and capital to build. In many cases, certain materials or production standards are not easily replicated domestically at scale. Changing supply chains can take years — not weeks.
Are sustainable brands more affected by tariff uncertainty?
Often, yes. Sustainable brands typically use higher-quality materials, smaller production runs, and responsible sourcing practices. These choices already create tighter margins. When tariffs or shipping costs increase, the financial pressure compounds more quickly.
Do tariffs cause small business closures?
Tariffs alone don’t cause closures, but cost volatility — including tariffs, freight increases, and supplier price changes — adds pressure to already thin margins. In sectors like retail, closures have increased by over 100% year over year, reflecting broader economic strain.
How can consumers support small businesses during tariff uncertainty?
Consumers can:
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Leave reviews
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Share products they love
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Join email lists
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Recommend brands to friends
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Offer encouragement
These actions strengthen visibility and reduce marketing costs, which helps small businesses navigate periods of economic instability.
