With our environment under threat, businesses large and small are seeking new ways to minimise their environmental impact. For luxury brands, this has never been more important.
According to Selfridges, more than 60 per cent of its customers now want to shop sustainably, while 84 per cent consider the social and environmental impact of a purchase to be important. With consumers demanding greater transparency, luxury brands are responding. In fact, many are leading the way, shunning a trend for using sustainability as a mere marketing tool and instead embedding an environmental conscience at the very heart of their brand culture; redefining the way they buy, work, produce, package and sell.
Every item that is recycled, repurposed or reused is a positive step in the direction of protecting our environment. Both as businesses and individuals, the more we embrace this approach, the more positive the impact will be. So, what steps can manufacturers and retailers of luxury products take to ensure their packaging is as ethical and sustainable as possible?
1. If you are using paper for your packaging, consider the benefits of applying the FSC® logo. FSC® is the stamp of integrity associated with all wooded products including papers, packaging and boxes – basically anything that is derived from wood pulp. The FSC® stamp tracks the product all the way from its sustainable origins to its recycling. Your packaging supplier must be FSC® certified in order to apply an FSC® Label to their products. To verify whether your supplier is certified, you can check the FSC® certification register here.
2. Look out for other sustainable innovations in the world of paper. Forward-thinking manufacturers are exploring new ways to reuse production by-products such as ground cocoa shells from the manufacturing of chocolate goods or other plant residue from leaves and stems discarded during agricultural processes.
3. Try to avoid mixing materials; a product that is made 100% from wooded products such as paper is easier to recycle than one that is manufactured from mixed materials. If you do need to include elements such as metal hinges, try to ensure they are as easy as possible to separate from the rest of the item in the recycling process. Minimising finishes is also a good approach, for instance avoiding plastic coating and foiling which can render your packaging non-recyclable.
4. Consider reducing the quantity of packaging you use per item and minimise the use of filler. Paper-based fillers make a popular alternative to traditional polystyrene chips, bubble wrap, foam or other non-biodegradable protective packaging. Look for paper that can easily be recycled, is made from recycled material itself, and will biodegrade rapidly if exposed to the elements. A reduction in filler material can even have the additional benefit of reducing shipping costs at multiple stages in the supply chain due to the reduced weight.
5. If you must use plastic in your packaging, consider options such as biomass plastics made from sustainable corn, bamboo or soya.
Fleet Luxury Packaging specialises in the manufacture, supply and distribution of quality, sustainable packaging for a range of retail sectors including fashion, cosmetics, beauty, jewellery and watches. Marrying elegance and luxury with contemporary design and functionality, we are the supplier of choice for many of Europe's leading brands.
For bespoke boxes, bags, tags, tissue, hangers, garment covers and more, contact us on 01634 730334 or at info@fleetluxury.com. We look forward to hearing from you.