Plastic Free Way Before 2042!
- 12 Jan, 2018
Plastic Free Way Before 2042!
Over the last year we have been looking to reduce our plastic use. We set to work looking at what WE could do to reduce OUR own use.
We have always used recycled packaging and paper produces as well as reusing packing materials that products have been sent to us in.
Our main use is plastic is currently:
Group 1 plastic use:
Bubble wrap – used for packing
Bubble wrapping - wrapped fragile goods
Plastic bags – used for our Sage products
Packing peanuts – packing in fragile goods
Group 2 plastic use:
Plastic thread organza bags – used for crystals storage
Jiffy bags – protect the crystals and product being delivered
Packing Fragile Tape – warn of fragile items and seal materials
Plastic foil pouches – Used for Salt products
Vacuum wrap – used for white sage loose products
We were able to put these products and uses into 2 groups based on need, impact and impact on our service to our customers. From this we made the following judgements
All group 1 plastics will be phased out by 01/02/2018
- Instead of Bubble wrap we will increase our use of wrapping paper and tissue paper
- Instead of packing peanuts we will increase our use of recycled shredded paper and natural hay and straw
- Instead of plastic bags we will be using acid free paper bags
Group 2 use will be posted on our social media for ideas about how we can reduce use
- Instead of our plastic and foil pouches we are looking at the use of recyclable paper bags for our salt products
- For our plastic tape we will look at the availability of composable
plastic tape.
- The use of Padded ‘jiffy’ bags is difficult as they are light weight and therefore low cost for fuel when delivering. They can be recycled but need to be pulled apart. They can also be used again. Changing to pulped paper bags would mean a lot more weight and much higher cost.
Maybe it would be worth giving our customers the option by including this as a postage upgrade?
We could stamp the ‘jiffy’ bags explaining how to effectively recycle!?
We really do want to look at improving our plastic use and carbon impact. Any feedback would really be welcomed.
Thank you
Grant
I would welcome any company that is actively trying to reduce their plastic use. I think jiffy bags are tricky and a message saying how to recycle would be useful (although sadly most would ignore this). I recently received my first order from you and loved the organza bag (no plastic bag in sight) but did note the bubble wrap jiffy bag. Have you thought of a small thin box with tissue/shredded paper?