Eco Pledge
Our Eco Pledge is our sustainable promise. It focuses on the steps we have already taken, and those we plan to take, putting the environment and our planet at the forefront of our strategy and business decisions.
Puckator has always had a green focus. As the world continues to recognise the need for change, we are challenging our processes and those of our suppliers to become even more sustainably driven.
What is our Eco Pledge?
Remove
We are reducing and removing single-use plastic and other hard-to-recycle materials from all our product packaging. We have reduced this by 20% since 2020, and have a target of zero plastic in our packaging by the end of 2030.
Research
We explore new and innovative materials through research and development, working closely with suppliers and contractors within our supply chain, to create a more sustainable eco-friendly range.
Recycle
We recycle more than 75% of our packaging in our UK and European warehouses via shredding, reusing, or recycling.
Renew
We work to offset our carbon footprint by investing in renewable projects worldwide.
Product Materials
We are committed to sourcing and developing eco-friendly and sustainable materials with suppliers and contractors in our supply chain.
Our buying and design team develop this through visiting local and international tradeshows, online research, industry publications and seminars, and communication with our suppliers and manufacturers.
What eco-materials do we already use?
- All our food use plastic products such as lunch boxes and water bottles are BPA and phthalate-free.
- We offer a broad range of reusable bottles, shopping bags, lunch boxes and cool bags which help to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
- Our beauty products are vegan, gluten-free* and cruelty-free. The majority also contain no palm oil or where palm oil is included it is sustainably sourced.
- Our incense is vegan and cruelty-free.
- RPET (recycled plastic bottle plastic) is used as an alternative to certain plastics across our product range, including shopping bags, food storage, bottles, and stationery.
- FSDU display stands are made from a mix of virgin and recycled materials in the UK.
- Our bamboo cutlery and toothbrushes are made from 100% biodegradable bamboo.
*Excludes SOAP27 which contains honey and gluten
Ideas for the future
We are continually looking for products using alternative eco-materials such as rice husks, sugar cane plastics, cork, recycled rubber, jute, and more sustainable materials.
We are also looking at where our products come from and researching manufacturers and suppliers in the UK and Europe so that we can source locally and reduce our carbon footprint.
Product Packaging Materials
Our focus since 2019 has been to work with all our manufacturers and suppliers to develop our current product packaging, as well as researching new sustainable eco-material packaging suppliers and factories in China, the UK and Europe.
Our Commitment:
- To replace inner plastic bag packaging with recyclable textile bags, paper separators or natural string ties where possible.
- To replace plastic tags and other microplastic fastenings with natural string or twine, or other recyclable materials.
- To remove or replace polystyrene and bubble wrap filling with paper, cardboard or alternative recyclable materials, which protect the product from damage.
- Record and report all waste packaging through local and international reporting agencies.
- Identify areas where excess packaging has been used.
- To remove or replace glitter, shiny finishes, and metallic foils in our gift packaging to make our packaging more easily recycled. Where glitter cannot be removed we replace this with biodegradable alternatives, that do not add to microplastics in our oceans and ecosystems.
- Replace high gloss printing finishes with matt alternatives, maintaining our brand continuity but producing a more easily recycled packaging material.
- Apply full information on our packaging on recycling each component in compliance with local and international standards, encouraging and enabling the end user to recycle.
- Replace printing inks with plant-based and biodegradable inks which are better for the environment and recycling.
- Identify products where packaging reductions can reduce the size of the packaging at all levels, therefore reducing CBM (volume) allowing us to ship more in each container and directly reducing our carbon footprint.
Distribution Centres
Our two distribution centres in Cornwall UK and Wroclaw Poland, are leading the way in our environmental and sustainable pledge.
Our commitment:
- We choose packaging suppliers that can provide documentation of their own eco-credentials and environmental policies.
- All cardboard sourced in the UK is 100% recyclable and made from 100% recycled materials.
- We recycle over 75% of our packaging waste either by shredding, reusing, or separating and recycling.
- Pallets are sourced locally in both the UK and Poland and use softwood rather than hardwood which is a more sustainable material. Damaged pallets are returned to the supplier and recycled or reused.
- Packing methods are constantly reviewed and adapted to make packing more efficient and reduce the amount of packaging used.
- Working with our packaging suppliers and partners we trial new and innovative packaging materials. In 2020 we were one of the first in the UK to trial recycled air bubble packaging.
- We use recycled pallet wrap in both of our warehouses.
- We review and implement energy-saving tools, such as timers, sensor lighting and low-flush toilet devices.
Ideas for the future
We are continually looking to improve our eco-pledge. As new materials come on the market we look to trial these to see if they are practical for Puckator.
Current new materials include recycled grip bags, retail mailers, and jiffy bags, as well as alternatives to solvent-based tapes.
Recycling & Reduction
Through education, training, and awareness, we are committed to sharing the recycling potential of our products and packaging and reducing the amount of material that goes to landfill instead of being recycled.
Our commitment:
- As kerbside recycling varies widely depending on where an end user lives, our product packaging includes information on the type of packaging materials used and the recyclability.
- To increase the number of our products that include information on recycling the product material at the end of its life.
- Offer easy and variable access to recycling facilities in our offices and warehouse, using dedicated recycling points for employees and visitors.
- All non-tainted boxes are shredded for packaging.
- Our bespoke order management system is paperless, and we continue to reduce the amount of paper printed.
Ideas for the future
As part of our ongoing research into alternative packaging and product materials, we are looking to become a reference point for our employees, suppliers, and customers so we can educate and inspire recycling and care for the environment on a local and global scale.
Travel & Communication
Products and packaging are not the only areas in which we work hard to build a greener future for the planet.
We have offices in the UK, Spain, Italy, and China, as well as our Distribution Centres in Cornwall UK and Wroclaw Poland.
We are committed to reducing the number of journeys and travel carbon footprint by using online meeting tools as an alternative to face-to-face meetings.
Where travel is unavoidable we aim to maximise the meetings and communication done when visiting other offices, tradeshows, or distribution centres
We also use hybrid electric vehicles within our fleet and rechargeable forklifts and mobile picking platforms in our warehouses.
Wildlife
Wildlife at our sites is a big part of our eco-pledge, especially at our Cornish site as we have developed and extended over the last 20 years, and the impact on the surrounding environment has always been at the forefront of each development project.
Our commitment:
- We have designated bird and dormouse boxes positioned around our Cornish site.
- Areas of grass and insect-friendly plants are located around our warehouse in Cornwall and offices in Sheffield, creating natural habitats and encouraging small animals and amphibians.
- In 2018 we installed a new sewage treatment plant at our Cornish site that generates clear water which is filtered back into the land and surrounding area.
Communication
We are committed to sharing our eco pledge internally and externally, through this document and our Environment Policy, with directors, senior management, employees, customers, suppliers, and contractors.
Our eco pledge is shared through multiple channels, via this document, and through our website, tradeshows, and sales and customer service team.
We are dedicated to making the environment and our Eco Pledge at the centre of our business strategy, and we welcome ideas and suggestions from staff and customers to help us move forward together.
Responsibility and Review
Green issues, ocean plastic, sustainability and recycling are just a few of the many topics that are being raised by consumers, businesses, governments and industry worldwide.
To find a lasting solution that has a real impact now and in the future, we must work together and make sure we are reviewing processes and asking the right questions as a business and as individuals.
We will continue to collaborate closely with our suppliers, employees and customers to find innovative and sustainable solutions and maintain our brand and core company beliefs.
We will review this Eco Pledge annually, assessing targets and performance as part of that review.
Implementation of this Eco Pledge is the direct responsibility of the directors, senior management, employees, and contractors working for the organization.
This policy was last updated in January 2024 and will be next reviewed in January 2025.
Downloads
If you want to find out more, you can download our Eco Pledge and Environmental Policy.