Right from the start, when Tim Mergelsberg initiated the production of birch bark vessels as part of his voluntary service in the taiga, initially in a workshop for disabled people, the idea was to strengthen the potential of individuals in their environment through gentle interaction with nature. A win-win situation, as long as there was no exploitation of any of the factors in the sensitive interpersonal structure and in the relationship between people and nature.
Under these circumstances, the company was able to grow steadily and accompany the growth of the tree and partner companies. Our friendly relationships made it possible for us to take part in the birch bark harvest several times and to understand how it can be removed from the living tree: In spring, when the sap rises in the trees due to the warmth, the harvesters set out like countless generations before them, travelling long distances and walking long distances to find suitable trees. They usually spend several weeks in the depths of the forest. Once they have found a suitable birch, they climb the tree and remove the birch bark with safe cuts. It is stored flat and pressed and then made into vessels by the artisan families.
It was also a particular pleasure for us to be able to support the family of Oksana and Denis, who produce vessels from birch bark for us in the old tradition (vegan and glue-free), with a loan: For many years, the family had lived in different flats for rent. One day, their hut, in which they stored several hundred bread boxes for sagaan, was vandalised and set on fire. Thanks to our regular visits to Denis and Oksana, we are aware of the needs of our partners. In 2017, Denis and Oksana asked us to help them buy a typical Siberian wooden hut. We recognised that they needed stable housing to give them more energy for their family and their work with birch bark. As a result, sagaan pre-financed the entire purchase price of their wooden house in two instalments. For two years, Denis and Oksana worked off their debts and paid them off in the form of bread boxes and craft kits. In 2019, they sent us their last products.
As the discoverers of birch bark for the German market, we see ourselves as pioneers in the field of renewable added value systems. Our sales partners actively approach unpackaged or organic shops that sell our containers to the relevant target groups. As a pioneer, we want to show what renewable raw materials can achieve in the area of reusable packaging. When shipping our products, we make sure to use cardboard packaging, e.g. from retailers, that has already been used. By directly recycling cardboard and other packaging materials and by largely avoiding returns, sagaan saves up to 500 kg of CO² every year.
