47-49_51-53_Sustainability.qxp_Grid 05/10/2024 13:23 Page 47
FOCUS ON…SUSTAINABILITY
As an industry that is totally reliant on a natural resource in the shape of paper and board, the greeting cards sector has been one of the most enthusiastic and self-driven exponents of the sustainability movement. From naked cards to recyclable wrap, biodegradable glitter to BCorp status, PG spotlights how just some of the industry’s publishers and suppliers are doing their bit to safeguard the planet.
Plans for the planet To BCorp or not to BCorp Earning BCorp certification shows a business is fully committed to sustainability on both the eco and staffing fronts and the greetings industry is embracing the move. Of the 8,814 B Corp firms across the globe, there are 2,890 in the UK, and these include greeting card and allied companies Wrendale Designs, Talking Tables, Once Upon A Tuesday, paper company G.F Smith and most recently, Ohh Deer. As Ohh Deer co-owner Mark Callaby explained: “This means that our company meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.” The globally-recognised certification confirms a business meets and maintains high standards of social and environmental impact, and is actively engaged in the building of a better world for us all. It addresses the entirety of a company’s operations, covering five key impact areas of governance, workers, community, environment and customers, in rigorous process where applicants must provide evidence of socially and environmentally-responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency, and legally embed their commitment to purpose beyond profit in their company articles. “This is a huge milestone for our company and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our business positively impacts our customers, our community, our colleagues
and the planet,” Wrendale Designs’ founder Hannah Dale said. At G.F Smith, the company has further underlined its sustainability commitment by being granted global exclusivity for selling Notpla’s fullyrecyclable board made from seaweed, and MD Gareth Sheekey said the values represented by BCorp “go hand in hand with our long-term Above: (top to bottom) Ohh Deer, G.F Smith and Wrendale strategy”, adding are all BCorp certified. that “it is not a badge of honour as much as a declaration of intent”. As well as being a global leader in designled table and party products, Talking Tables has celebrated its 25th year with BCorp status, and diversified into giftwrappings which it unveiled at PG Live in June, and earlier this year Good Tuesday – just renamed from Once Upon A Tuesday – is among the first stationery brands to become certified.
Wrapping it up Constantly reviewing the product allows giftwrap company Penny Kennedy to continuously look for more sustainable solutions. “All our luxury rollwrap is already recyclable and FSC,” explained brand manager Emma Puzey, “and from January 2025 certain ranges will be available either wrapped in recycled shrink wrap or in a non-wrapped solution with a paper sleeve and tear tab, reducing our impact on the environment.” On top of this, its bags are recyclable, tissue comes in recyclable packaging and its Christmas crackers have plastic-free content. “We do all of this while making sure that both the product and the design are of the utmost quality and desirable,” assured Emma.
Above: All Penny Kennedy bags are recyclable.
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 47