SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS
Green Party
Sustainability is becoming a key focus for businesses worldwide, and the party industry is no exception. There is now an impressive amount of innovation in product and manufacturing processes being implemented to ensure the least possible damage to the environment, throughout all categories of the industry. Progressive Party sat down with some key manufacturers to find out what they are doing to make parties more eco-friendly…
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ith a foundation based largely around disposable items, there were many areas in the party industry where sustainability could be addressed. But the party business has in fact gone above and beyond switching to recycled and recyclable materials and the like, and fully embraced creating pioneering
eco-friendly practices throughout, and continues to bring in constant changes to further improve the situation. Sebastian Kutzner, regulatory compliance and sustainability at Folat, explains: “Sustainability as a principle and mindset is key for our industry and its future success. As EBPC’s chairman, I strive to embed sustainability in our daily routines within the industry through encouraging action and engaging a sustainable business strategy within our own operations.” There is a myriad of ways suppliers are making changes throughout their product ranges to improve their carbon footprint, and packaging is one of the key areas in which improvements can be implemented. Elliott Peckett, director, Smiffys, says: “At Smiffys we’re always Left: The full package of Amscan’s sustainable costume portfolio is ecofriendly – the garment is made from recycled materials and packaging can be fully recycled and features a craft activity on the underside of the slipcover.
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trying to find ways to become more sustainable. We have already made the move from plastic wig boxes to cardboard to reduce our plastic usage.” Fran Hales, head of content and marketing at Rubies, comments: “We have for many years been adapting our model for packaging and materials, to develop more sustainable products and solutions, at every stage of production, from design to distribution, with the aim to cut down our carbon footprint. “Already, Rubies has implemented 100% recyclable paper packaging for a range of our products stocked in major retailers nationally and are now looking to expand this successful initiative further across the whole business.” Ross Feeney, director of operations, Club Green, adds: “Our HootyBalloo range has already become a market leader in providing products in fully recyclable paper pouches, and moving forwards, we are working with our suppliers to remove all plastic bags and pouches from our range. “Many of our suppliers are in China, and we are also working with our suppliers and shipping agents to look at how we can reduce the carbon footprint of our manufacturing and transport activities.” Many are now also launching full ranges of green products, as Stephanie Buckley, product development coordinator at Club Green explains: “I am extremely proud of our new ‘Eco Range’ of birthday items. We have worked hard with our suppliers to
SEPTEMBER 2021 PROGRESSIVE PARTY EUROPE
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02/09/2021 14:26