PACKAGING MATERIALS

Packaging Materials   

Protecting the 1000s of products we ship to our customers each month, ensuring they arrive safely and without damage, is essential to us. Protecting and preserving the environment is also important to us. It's why we're constantly looking at how we can reduce the impact our packaging materials have on the environment whilst also ensuring that what you order from us arrives with you safely.   

Today, we are using more environmentally friendly packaging products than ever before; all the packaging that arrives in our distribution warehouse is either re-used or recycled, and we aim to recycle as much of the packaging we use as possible, minimising what is sent to landfill.      

Small steps   

Every document wallet containing your delivery note, which is attached to your parcel, is now made from recycled paper; that is nearly 10,000 document-enclosed wallets a year. Each despatch note is printed on 100% recycled paper too.      

The adhesive paper tape we use for sealing boxes is now entirely recyclable. We use over 32,000 metres of tape a year to pack boxes, so a move away from plastic packing tape that couldn't be recycled will quickly add up! We have also sourced a bubble wrap that includes 30% recycled material.

Where we can, we now use recycled or re-cyclable void fill (the material we put inside the box to protect the goods in transit); it can be challenging to obtain this product, but we order this in preference to other materials. We have also invested in an air-bag style machine to fill the void fill material with air in preference to polystyrene or shredded paper void fill. So, if you get polystyrene chip void fill from us, it's because we are re-using some that has been sent to us – this is the most environmentally friendly thing to do and much better than putting it in a landfill.    

We re-use cardboard packaging where appropriate, but due to the number of packages we ship every day, we need to supplement the recycled boxes with new cardboard boxes; we have now sourced cardboard boxes that are made from 70-80% recycled material, the insides and fluting are 100% recycled and the outer is made from virgin material for strength & quality.   

 The OpusLighting Kits were designed with sustainability in mind, which is why the packaging used for them is fully recyclable.   

What is there still to be achieved?   

We are constantly looking for more environmentally friendly packaging. We want to find a more environmentally friendly pallet wrap. Unfortunately, so far, the alternatives we have looked at just aren't strong enough. But rest assured, we've not stopped looking for the right products, and we won't.   

What can you do? Re-use the packaging we send out with your order, if you can't re-use it, please recycle it rather than send it to landfill.