The unfolding Tariff War of 2025 caught Waterfall Glen Soap Company in a precarious position. After months of negotiation, we were on the verge of purchasing 10,000 lids from a Chinese supplier. At their request, we delayed the final order until the Monday following their China Holiday on Friday. That weekend, President Trump initiated the Tariff War. This delay proved fortunate; had we finalized the purchase on Thursday, the tariffs would have doubled the cost upon arrival at a U.S. port.
This stroke of luck, however, presented a new challenge. Our commitment since 2019 to being 99% plastic-free meant we couldn't simply source any lid for our skincare jars. This principle is fundamental to Waterfall Glen Soap Company; we believe in caring for the planet as much as crafting healthy skincare, a value deeply rooted in our founder's passion for the outdoors.
Our search for a suitable alternative was constrained by specific requirements: lid size, color, and material. While our original supplier remained an option, their costs, influenced by their own reliance on Chinese components, had become prohibitive. We urgently needed a more affordable solution.
We reached out to the Illinois Manufacturers Association, who responded swiftly, and simultaneously launched our own intensive search. A serendipitous discovery by a close friend offered a promising lead: a pure metal cap, distinct from the metal-shelled versions we had used for over a decade. Remarkably, it matched our size, color, and shape specifications. This unexpected U.S.-based supplier quoted a price half of our previous expense. Almost too good to be true, we now await a sample to confirm the fit.
