It's important to consider sustainability when running any business and plastic waste is prolific in the retail sector. With that in mind, we like to work with brands that help us reduce our plastic usage. Here are three brands we stock that not only minimise packaging and waste, but have gotten creative to thread sustainable practises throughout their business too.
Roake Studio is a garment and accessory brand based on the Isle of Wight. The studio is completely zero waste and every other aspect of their business is as sustainable as possible. Founder Rosie, knows exactly where all their materials come from and the process involved in the fabric production.
We love working with Roake as they never send any excess packaging and they get inventive to remain sustainable - like wrapping our wholesale parcels in scrap fabric ribbon. We stock their zero waste scrunchies which are made using fabric offcuts from the garments they make, leather goods made from industry waste leather that would have otherwise been thrown away, and brass hair pins made from low carbon footprint brass.
Based in Sweden, CHPO make affordable sunglasses from recycled plastic. Each pair comes with a pouch made from recycled PET-bottles and the sunglasses are packaged in biodegradable sleeves made from corn.
The brand values sustainability within every part of the making process and uses ethical practises incorporating seasonal charity donations into their operation.
Their designs are created for 'sunny days and hungover afternoons' which is a motto we can get on board with.
These colourful hold-all tote bags are made from 16 recycled plastic bottles per bag. Herd not only make their product out of recycled plastic but they're also partnered with Empower who clear up 1kg of ocean-bound plastic for every bag they sell.
These guys make perfect beach bags and they double up as a stylish solution for when we get a drop of rain too. Founder Nancy created the bags for "those who Herd." Do you?
In terms of our own sustainable practises, we try our best, and keep trying to improve everyday. Our carrier bags and gift boxes are made from paper for easy recycling and we only print your receipt if you need it. We also plant a tree with every online order. We planted 7,000 trees in 2022 and offset 5 tonnes of carbon (the equivalent of 4 long haul flights, 15 metres of sea ice saved and 12,405 miles driven in a car). We've contributed to wind power and biodiversity projects in Asia and South America.
We recycle and re-use as much packaging as we can. We keep a mountain of packing peanuts in our backroom collected from deliveries of stock, we often repurpose cardboard boxes for your orders and if you ever receive anything from us wrapped in beautifully scented bubble wrap - perhaps this was originally used to deliver a candle or a bar of soap to the shop!