Sustainability
As a small business, I am very conscious of the impact that my products have on the environment. I continuously review my processes, suppliers and materials to ensure that my business and products are as sustainable as they can be.
Since starting my business in 2016, I have made many changes - some big (overhauling all packaging and switching my energy provider), some small (switching to using recycled paper in my printer). What follows is a list of all the materials that are used when I make your orders, and everything that you will find in your parcel when receiving an order from me. For each material I have included details on the source of the item, how it was made, how it can be recycled, and if it is vegan or not.
If you have any suggestions for areas in which I can improve, please let me know.
Paper Mail Bag
Made from: strong kraft paper.
Manufactured… in Birmingham (UK).
How to recycle? These bags are strong enough to be re-used (several times) or can simply be put in your paper recycling at home.
Vegan? Yes, to the best of my knowledge.
Excess or waste product: Any mail bags that I am unable to use to send out (for example, if they are damaged) would be used as scrap paper in my studio or recycled.
Tissue Paper
Made from: FSC certified, acid free paper and soy-based inks.
Manufactured… and printed in Hong Kong and the USA.
How to recycle? Simply put it in your paper recycling at home.
Vegan? Yes.
Excess or waste product: Any tissue paper that I am unable to use (for example, if it is damaged) is recycled.
Paper Tape
Made from: 60gsm semi-creped recycled paper with a solvent adhesive
Manufactured… in Birmingham (UK).
How to recycle? This paper tape can be recycled - simply place in your paper recycling at home.
Vegan? Yes, to the best of my knowledge.
Excess or waste product: I have very little waste tape, but any that I do have is recycled.
Paper Invoice, Kit Instructions and Designs
Made from: FSC certified paper.
Manufactured… in Portugal by a company who have significantly reduced their energy and water use and continue to do so.
How to recycle? Use as scrap paper where possible - to do lists, love notes, doodle pad, etc! Once done, simply put it in your paper recycling at home.
Vegan? The paper is vegan, but as some inks use organic compounds in production I am unfortunately unable to verify whether my printer ink is vegan.
Excess or waste product: In my home studio I re-use scrap paper until it is completely unusable, at which point I then recycle the paper.
Flyer
Made from: 95% of the paper used in production is FSC certified.
Printed… in the UK.
How to recycle? Simply put in your paper recycling at home.
Vegan? As some inks use organic compounds in production I am unfortunately unable to verify whether the flyers that I use are vegan.
Excess or waste product: Any excess or scrap flyers that I have are recycled.
Swing Tags
Made from: Printed on sustainably sourced, chlorine free (ECF) paper.
Printed… in the UK.
How to recycle? Simply put in your paper recycling at home.
Vegan? As some inks use organic compounds in production I am unfortunately unable to verify whether the swing tags that I use are vegan.
Excess or waste product: Any excess or scrap swing tags that I have are recycled.
Swing Tag String
Made from: 100% cotton thread (leftovers from embroidery).
How to recycle? Cotton thread can be composted.
Vegan? As some colour dyes use organic compounds in production I am unfortunately unable to verify whether the thread that I use is vegan.
Excess or waste product: Any scrap threads are re-used in embroidery or as swing tag strings. Any smaller scrap bits that cannot be re-used are added to my colourful ‘ort jars’.
Ribbon Label
Made from: 100% polyester.
Printed… in Canada by Bedros and his friends (I love my ribbon supplier!), using an OEKO-TEX® Standard process.
How to recycle? See below, as part of t-shirt recycling.
Vegan? As some inks use organic compounds in production I am unfortunately unable to verify whether the ribbon that I use is vegan.
Excess or waste product: Any scraps of ribbon that I have are added to my fabric scraps pile. I use fabric scraps as stuffing for things such as pin cushions.
Embroidery Thread
Made from: 100% cotton.
Manufactured… in France. You can watch the threads being made here.
How to recycle? See below, as part of t-shirt recycling.
Vegan? As some colour dyes use organic compounds in production I am unfortunately unable to verify whether the embroidery thread that I use is vegan.
Excess or waste product: Any scrap threads are re-used in embroidery or as swing tag strings (see above). Any smaller scrap bits that cannot be re-used are added to my colourful ‘ort jars’.
T-Shirts and Baby Grows
Made from: 100% GOTS Standard organic cotton.
Manufactured… in India. Production undergoes annual audits to comply with the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) Code of Labour Practices. Furthermore, production is climate neutral, wind powered and fair trade with a low water footprint. Nothing is shipped by air-freight, and when I receive stock it is always packed in biodegradable bags and recycled boxes. This company are doing such an incredible job of striving for sustainability - you can read their FWF performance checks here. You can watch a video of manufacture here.
How to recycle? If your item is in an appropriate condition to wear, please give to charity so that it can be re-used. If not, it can be cut up and used as cleaning rags. Alternatively, any textile waste can be recycled at a Clothing and Textile Bank.
Vegan? PETA approved vegan.
Excess or waste product: I have multiple uses for t-shirts and baby grows that I cannot sell (for example, if they are faulty or damaged). Sometimes I'll wear them myself as pyjamas, or cut them up and use them as rags for dusting. Mainly I upcycle them into reusable make up pads.
Baby Cardigans
Made from: 100% acrylic yarn.
Manufactured... within the E.E.C.
How to recycle? If your item is in an appropriate condition to wear, please give to charity so that it can be re-used. If not, any textile waste can be recycled at a Clothing and Textile Bank.
Vegan? Yes, to the best of my knowledge.
Excess or waste product: The only reason I would need to dispose of a baby cardigan would be if it was damaged to such a degree that it could not be worn. In this case, I would recycle it at a Clothing and Textile Bank. Cardigans that have small imperfections but are still wearable would be sold as part of a 'seconds sale', or donated to charity.
Embroidery Backing Fabric
Made from: acid free, non-woven nylon.
Manufactured… production country and source unknown.
How to recycle? See above, as part of t-shirt recycling.
Vegan? Yes, to the best of my knowledge.