Sustainability doesn’t cost a thing
Have you heard how small business owners complain that sustainability is too costly to maintain? Is that true? Is sustainability expensive, does it cost a thing?
When I first realised how much I wanted to start a shop, I found myself becoming paralysed. I couldn’t move forward with the many considerations but my desire to share a piece of my art to the world was too strong to ignore. Plastics, cellophane soft plastics, toxic inks, long-distance shipping for cheaper boxes, fsc paper… where do I begin?
I was convinced that starting right is vital. I didn’t want to be stuck with a bunch of plastics that would end up in landfill after one use. I also didn’t want to place the responsibility of recycling properly on my customers. Last but not least, supporting the local suppliers may be more expensive, but it was healthier for the economy as well as to the environment when you consider carbon emissions. See my mindscape? I felt like a kangaroo in the headlights. But here was my process, and maybe it’d help you too.
In summary, there were at least two main concerns.
One, proximity. Where I got my resources, packing as well as materials for print and how I ship my final parcels. Using local suppliers means you are helping to reduce carbon emissions resulting from shipping these materials long-distance to you. But, question is, are you able to get them at a cost that your business can find sustainable to keep up? I wanted to find a balance of excellent quality, quality control, and affordability. Shipping frequently internationally means more carbon-emissions. Can I go carbon-neutral? Here’s what I arrived at:
Genuine inks purchased within Australia, for the archival-quality prints for my custom artworks. Genuine inks also tend to be better for the printer.
Museum archival-quality etching paper. Each one is 100% cotton for vibrance in colours that will last 100-300years if kept away from the direct sunlight.
Home studio individual printing. I have full control over the quality of every single print when they are individually printed from my little studio in Perth. Waste is also kept to a minimum or zero.
Which ethical shipping companies can I trust to ship my parcels? (eg. B-corp Sendle)
Two, eco-sustainability of packing materials used. Some questions I asked were:
How were they acquired?
Where were they produced? (goes back to proximity and lowering carbon-emissions)
Can I afford using them in the long run?
What are their impacts to the environment?
How much does this inconvenient your recipient? (It shouldn’t only be the responsibility of the customer to recycle or reuse your packaging.)
Quality and sturdiness of packing materials
Weight of packing materials (always take this into account when shipping)
Do you have access to recycling soft plastics? (In Australia, #redcycle helps recycle all soft plastics)
Can I go plastic-free altogether, omit all plastics including soft plastics from pvc tape/stickers?
Are they reusable-friendly for the customer? (Creative packaging can be fun for customers to continue to use beyond single-use)
I think it’s important to note that you may not be able to check off every single environmental concern off when you’re first starting your business. When I sent out my first few parcels, I transitioned from cellophane bags for protecting artworks to glassine bags which are water-resistant, 100% pulp and fully kerbside-recyclable in Australia. Slowly, I was able to offer a plastic-free shopping experience for the customers. The important thing is to continue to educate ourselves, share it with others on the way and choose better each time.
Cost-wise, I wouldn’t say my upfront cost was plainly low. It’s a chicken or egg problem isn’t it? Old machines and factories that stick to their old ways because there are people voting for convenience and dirt-cheap. But these old ways continue to consume the earth at the rapid rate. If more of us say yes to going green, and with more competition, it wouldn’t take long before the green and good become more ubiquitous and even more affordable.
So, yes it costs something. It costs the earth, the earth. That is, koalas with no paws, burnt fur, homeless people, viruses from habitat infringement from excessive logging. And for us, it really starts with our yes to make a more eco-conscious decision.
Does this all confuse you? I explain these ‘green terms’ in my private podcast exclusive to my email subscribers, and also share easy steps you could take immediately in the free workbook that comes with it. It may not be possible for us to go zero-waste or zero-plastic immediately, but we can start here.
I leave you with B-corp shipping company Sendle’s mission statement:
We’re game-changers. Through great technology, design, and people, we build things that matter and truly make a difference for our customers and the world. We do good by our customers and we do good by our planet.
- Sendle
x
Juliet