Sea Green - Reducing our Carbon Footprint
We all want to lessen our impact on the environment, and over the past couple of years we've been making positive steps towards just that. In 2020 we removed the plastic from almost all of our products, postage and packaging and were delighted to receive recognition from Surfers Against Sewage for our efforts and become Plastic Free Champions!
In 2021 we extended that through our remaining products. Of course, it is never quite that simple trying to do the right thing, but this is where we are:
- Calendars are supplied unwrapped, but sealed with a small clear disc - introduced 2022
"The plastic calendar wraps traditionally used have been removed from the majority of our stock. Calendars are now sealed with a tiny clear disc, which is perforated to easily break apart on opening and which can be easily and cleanly removed.
Rather than putting our remaining stock of wrappers into landfill, we are using them to supply those of our retail partners for whom they still make sense. We had actually been selling our calendar in a biodegradable wrapper for several years. They are made from PLA (Polylactic acid), derived from corn-starch which fully biodegrades down into water, CO2 and biomass in 60 days under Industrial Composting conditions (58 degrees C) or incineration, or can also be put in some (non-dry) land-fills. So it can go in appropriate kerbside recycling, although it may still be identified as plastic and picked out. Unfortunately home composting may not reach the correct temperature and humidity, or the necessary microbes and bacteria may not be present."
Rather than putting our remaining stock of wrappers into landfill, we are using them to supply those of our retail partners for whom they still make sense. We had actually been selling our calendar in a biodegradable wrapper for several years. They are made from PLA (Polylactic acid), derived from corn-starch which fully biodegrades down into water, CO2 and biomass in 60 days under Industrial Composting conditions (58 degrees C) or incineration, or can also be put in some (non-dry) land-fills. So it can go in appropriate kerbside recycling, although it may still be identified as plastic and picked out. Unfortunately home composting may not reach the correct temperature and humidity, or the necessary microbes and bacteria may not be present."
- New product ticks all the boxes! - introduced 2022
"Our latest product, the Evocative Cornwall Diary, is fully recyclable when it's no longer needed. Made from card/paper and steel, all elements are easily recycled once separated."
- Fossil-fuel free delivery - introduced 2021
"Our new (second-hand) vehicle is an all electric Renault Zoe, with the perfect range for our deliveries around the Duchy. It's charged with 100% renewable electricity (from Good Energy) and so chuffed with it are we that we've also got some branding on it (thank you County Signs at St Column Major). Also perfect for nipping out with the camera!"
- Plastic-free packaging for Christmas cards - introduced 2021
"From 1 September, all packs of Christmas cards will now be held together with a narrow cardboard 'bellyband', rather than the old PLA plastic wrappers. We think they look rather smart, and look forward to developing this idea in the future."
- All blank greetings cards plastic-free - introduced 2020
"Since 2020 our blank greetings cards have all been individually prepared with an envelope inserted and closed with an easy-peel, biodegradable label. Our first attempt at this had some teething difficulties, and we are now using new, improved labels supplied to us by our production partners on a trial basis. This highly technical, less sticky glue has overcome the issues previously experienced, although we would always encourage customers to remove the tabs as soon as it's convenient. Multi-buy discount still applies for orders of 5 cards or more."
- We offer retailers the option of unwrapped calendars and have produced counter-top display holders for sale purposes - Introduced 2018
"Not all retailers have space for this and may prefer to stick with displaying calendars for sale on hooks for now ..."
- All bubble-wrap lined parcel envelopes have been replaced with shredded paper products, meaning that all of our postal packaging is entirely plastic-free - introduced 2021
"Again, we've been moving towards this with cardboard envelopes for small calendar orders. We are now using a range of plastic-free envelopes - which of course are odd sizes, more expensive and heavier to send (so more expensive in more ways than one!). This raises other sustainability issues, but we are dealing with them one at a time."