Sustainability in e-commerce often focuses one-sidedly on production and logistics. What about packaging?

Unrecyclable packaging is still commonly used. Especially a lot of plastic packaging cannot be recycled with current recycling technology standards. It instead often ends up being exported, being burned for energy, or put with household waste. Which then ends up in landfill sites.

Although many e-commerce retailers are starting to get rid of plastic packaging and beginning to use paper-based alternatives, is this the best way forward?

Switching to paper also has its environmental issues. For example, cardboard production is water intensive, generates emissions and runs the risk of encouraging deforestation if not sourced sustainably. On top of that it is difficult to recycle if contaminated with food or other waste.
So, are paper and cardboard really more eco-friendly than plastic?
 
Consider an alternative. WOOL.

A versatile material. Sheep’s wool regrows over and over again, is natural and because of it’s complete composability, sustainable. In addition, wool has an insulating effect, so it is ideal to be used as packaging. Wool is a naturally high-tech fibre. Its elasticity, water repellency and resistance to temperature extremes make wool a perfect material for packing items that need extra cushioning. In addition, packaging made of wool is durable and can be reused multiple times.

At Edward Clay & Son Ltd we manufacture Wool Felt using 100% British wool, that can be used to pad and protect items or wool balls that are perfect as void fillers.
 
For more information, please contact us on 01924 273994 or [email protected]

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