OUR CONTINUOUS STRIVE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
In celebrating Plastic-Free July, we want to show you our choices and efforts to be the brand that you can trust to continuously implement sustainable practices. Through our practices, we aim to preserve and care for all that is green and play our part in minimising waste and plastic pollution.
PACKAGING OF OUR PRODUCTS
OUR CHOICE: GLASS AND ALUMINIUM
We chose glass packaging to ensure the quality and longevity of our naturally sourced ingredients and different types of organic blends. Glass packaging plays an important role in sustainability and natural skincare. It is a completely recyclable material but which, due to its durability, can also be re-purposed for storing products at home, fulfilling our aim of minimizing waste.
We also chose aluminium containers as they provide a reliable protective barrier for the products. Specifically, aluminium is a material that can be continuously recycled without losing its initial properties. This gives both you and us the guarantee that the material will be in an ongoing recycling loop. It’s a win-win!
SHIPPING OF OUR PRODUCTS
OUR CHOICE: RECYCLED PAPER BOXES
Sometimes, finding the right supplier can be an arduous task. However, once you find the right one, which can fulfil your sustainable and recyclable requirements, it is like a breath of fresh air.
We have mindfully chosen to use cardboard boxes that are fully made from recycled paper and entirely recyclable. In addition, the boxes contain innovative wood fibres, which allow for continuous recycling of the packaging. With this, we can be confident that the material is re-usable and utilised to its fullest potential whilst avoiding the need for plastic components often seen in packaging.
OUR CHOICE: BIODEGRADABLE FILLING & COTTON BAGS
To safely deliver our products to your door, we have several types of sustainable fillings that you may already be familiar with, which we love to use. Our favourites fillings include:
- Zigzag shredded paper, which is fully recyclable and biodegradable
- Teal-coloured chips made from fully recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) can be re-used and re-purposed
- Foams made from starch from renewable sources which are fully biodegradable and compostable
Our cotton bags are made from Oeko-Tex Certified Cotton, and they are loved and re-used by our customers.
OTHER WAYS OF STAYING SUSTAINABLE
OUR CHOICE: RECYCLED PAPER & T-SHIRTS
Sustainable practices should not end behind closed doors or when nobody is looking. At Elan, we are committed to making sustainable choices. For any form of office tasks, we use 100% recycled paper.
Our marketing materials e.g. product cards and business cards are also made from either fully recycled paper or cotton t-shirts, re-purposing the waste from the fashion industry.
SUSTAINABILITY AS A FORM OF LIVING
Whilst listing out how we, at Elan, strive for sustainability and protect our natural environment may appear as though we have done enough, we must not forget that sustainability is an ongoing work in progress.
There will always be new practices and innovative solutions. Just like in life, this means that we, as a brand, need to continuously learn, adapt, and improve our current ways to fulfil our commitment to sustainability.
From working with local suppliers, choosing recycled and recyclable materials to saving water, or using LED bulbs, the sustainability journey starts by taking small steps and making conscious decisions about how and what we consume.
Currently, we are looking into a sustainable, fully recyclable postal tape and are on the search for schemes to collect our products for recycling, such as the recycling programmes of Terra Cycle. Our next step is to replace plastic tops used in some of our glass jar packaging with aluminium tops.
Don’t forget, upcycling starts with you and us! Finding ways to re-purpose the packaging of the products we buy is the mindful choice that makes the difference.
Share your upcycled Elan packaging @elanskincarelondon to get featured! :)