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Packaging

Packaging plays a vital role in our organization. It ensures our products can be delivered to customers across the globe in perfect condition. Our packaging solutions are constantly updated to ensure they meet our evolving standards. Packaging made from non-renewables like our plastic bags is being replaced with less impactful alternatives.

Due to its complex role and important responsibility, our packaging is constantly under review. It is often being updated and optimized to find the most appropriate solution to both e-commerce and in-store packaging. Approaches to packaging improvement include better labelling, using recycled and recyclable materials, reducing material use, and using mono-material packaging. We aim to reduce the number of resources used in our packaging while increasing the quality of the materials. We must also ensure that our packaging has the smallest environmental impact possible, by utilizing reusable or recyclable materials, taking into account the wide range of customers, their locations, and recycling facilities.

We use several types of packaging, which can be divided into three types: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

  • The primary packaging has several functions including protecting, containing, preserving, and communicating the product. Currently, we use robust clear plastic bags with a reusable zip-lock.

  • The secondary packaging is the term for the packaging used to contain a number of items of the same product during transport and handling. We currently use paper bags and cardboard boxes from responsible sources.

  • The tertiary packaging is used to transport large volumes of products between our partners. This includes our Tier 1 and Tier 2 partners, along with our warehouse and stores. We currently use a combination of cardboard boxes and shrink wrap.

Our packaging goals include reducing and eliminating unnecessary packaging, moving to materials with a lower environmental footprint, and optimizing the sizing to reduce shipped air.

Definitions

Biodegradable - can be changed by the action of bacteria to a natural state that will not harm the environment.

Compostable - can be placed in a home compost bin or industrial composting facility to decompose into a natural state.

FSC - the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. The FSC system allows businesses and consumers to identify, purchase, and use wood, paper, and other forest products made with materials sourced from well-managed forests or recycled sources.

Recycled - produced using material that has already been used and recirculated.

Recyclable - produced using material that can be used and recirculated.

Reusable - can be used more than once due to its design and use of durable materials.

Primary Packaging

Clear Bags

Our clear plastic bags protect the packed products, reducing the likelihood of damage. Most bags have a resealable zip-lock to enable reuse. There are three sizes designed to deliver an optimal fit for the products inside.

What are the drawbacks?

The bags are currently made of plastic. They are hard to recycle, so they should be reused for as long as possible, then disposed of as general waste. They are highly durable, meaning they can be reused for travelling or storage.

What are the opportunities?

The bags could be made of recycled and less impactful materials. The material could be changed to improve the recyclability of the bags. There could be more information regarding disposal. We are working on improved packaging and aim to test a new approach in 2022. 

Secondary Packaging

FSC Certified Recycled Cardboard Boxes

We have designed multiple sizes of boxes to fit the products inside. They are made from FSC certified, recycled paper. They are reusable and recyclable.

What are the drawbacks?

Box sizes are limited, and creating a box size perfect for each order would require significant long-term system change.

What are the opportunities?

We are looking to implement more box sizes, designing them to improve their fit for our products inside.

FSC Certified Paper Mailer Bags

These mailer bags are used for larger orders because of their capacity and flexibility. They are hard-wearing and water-resistant, without the need for any plastic. They are FSC certified and recyclable.

What are the drawbacks?

While these provide good protection, the size can not be optimized for each order.

What are the opportunities?

We are designing these in more sizes to ensure they are optimally used.

Paper Tape

The tape we use is responsibly sourced, fully recyclable, and biodegradable.

What are the drawbacks?

It is more expensive than regular tape, but it makes our shipping packaging 100% recyclable.

What are the opportunities?

We are looking into making the tape from recycled materials.