I previously wrote a bit about running sustainable business – see one of my first posts here. I had a lot on my mind then and I still do. Fortunately, there are quite a few more things that have been able to be done for us afterwards, so the topic will just have to be brought up again :-) Because in my world you can't sell organic, sustainable and plastic-free products, and then send them off in plastic bags or wrapped in bubble wrap. It doesn't make sense. And by the way, plastic is not a material that I like very much either, so I will not contribute to the production of plastic for packaging (or anything else for that matter). A couple of weeks ago I received a computer monitor for the home office that I had bought second-hand on a second-hand portal. I myself think that I had thought about and prioritized buying a slightly older screen, which still has many good years left in it. The only problem was that the screen came in a giant box filled to the brim with bubble wrap. At the bottom (!!) was the screen – also wrapped in bubble wrap. It was quite a task to get the parcel home from the parcel shop, it was REALLY big. And I actually also thought what the heck I had ordered, since I had to have SUCH a big package. But yes – it was mainly bubble wrap I had bought. I was really frustrated, because in my world the used goods industry is a super sustainable industry – so I had expected that they also thought about this sort of thing. But unfortunately it wasn't like that.
In return, I do everything I can to make a difference with my own webshop.
Sustainable webshop
After all, we run a webshop, so we depend on packaging our goods properly. Believe me, we have already discovered how the packages are treated on their way, so optimal packaging is unfortunately just necessary. But our sustainable and biodegradable packaging still lasts 100% – and do the job exactly as it should. Our packaging principles are:
- We recycle all the packaging that we receive our goods in – and which we can otherwise get our hands on around. Then you receive a package in which there has previously been a lampshade – so it's not because we've started selling lamps, we're just hoarding cardboard boxes where we can now get to them. Because it really doesn't make much sense for us to buy new cardboard boxes when used ones can do exactly the same thing – and otherwise had just been thrown out.
- We only send out our packages in recyclable and biodegradable materials: Cardboard boxes, paper bags and paper tape, which can be reused together with the cardboard box and are also biodegradable.
- We fill the cardboard boxes with corn chips – if that is necessary. They are in principle edible and also biodegradable. The corn chips can be composted, so definitely do it if you have the opportunity.
Sustainable suppliers
In addition, we try to find suppliers who think as sustainably as we do. Most recently, I got straws at the shop in stainless steel and bamboo. They are delivered by ecostrawz, who are happy to send them without packaging. Absolutely fantastic and right by our book. The straws are therefore sold individually, so that you can decide for yourself how many you really need.
The same applies to our supplier of soaps, shampoo bars and body care. Grims Have also supplies all soaps and shampoo bars with the least possible packaging. Because they are beautiful enough in themselves – and one of the advantages of using soap bars and shampoo bars is that you can get rid of a whole lot of unnecessary plastic packaging. So it makes perfect sense.
But most of our suppliers really also prioritize sustainability. It lies deep in the heart of the entire industry. Living Crafts, our supplier of basic clothing, does not support air transport when transporting their products. The goods are transported by ship, so occasionally there is quite a bit of delivery time for some of their basic goods, but I just have to live with that – because it therefore takes time and also costs money to choose a more sustainable path. Both as a private person, but also for us as a webshop.
We cannot buy the goods in at unheard of low prices and this means that we also cannot sell the goods as cheaply as conventional shops can. However, I think that most people are now aware that price and quality have that connection, so I am super optimistic about it.
And I'm just happy that more and more people are prioritizing buying sustainably, organically and plastic-free. I am proud and happy every time there is a new order in my webshop. Primarily because I know that the products will be able to make a huge difference. And that's the point of it all to me.
If you have tips or comments on other things that I can prioritize in order to make my webshop more sustainable, you are very welcome to leave a comment – either here or on Facebook or Instagram. Good Sunday evening.