Impact & Sustainability

Recycled Materials

Wherever possible, we use a minimum of 90% recycled cardboard for our gift boxes. Some of our gift boxes are delivered in wicker or rope paper hampers. The wicker hampers are finished in untreated willow whilst the paper rope is a paper derivative used frequently in packaging. Both of these are recyclable through your local recycling systems.

We also encourage you to reuse the boxes when you can to minimise the onward environmental impact. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to re purpose your hamper boxes or baskets, why not explore this article from logistics company Parcel Force.

Void fill

In packaging your order, we cushion the contents using a fully biodegradable fill. So whatever you’ve ordered, it will arrive in good condition without damaging the environment. Win, win.

Our packaging is designed to have as little impact as possible. You can throw the shredded cardboard fill in the recycling. Plus, what looks like packing peanuts are actually made from potato starch, so can go straight into your compost bin. Alternatively, you can dissolve them in water.

Plastic Waste Minimisation

At Social Supermarket, we endeavour to be as environmentally conscious as possible. We always aim to minimise plastic waste throughout our packaging and products. We work with brands who see this as a priority too. If you spot anything which you think has gone overboard on packaging (plastic or otherwise) please do let us know and we would be happy to look into it.

Printing Methods

We use digitally printed water-based ink for our boxes, which is more eco-friendly than alternatives.

Carbon Offsetting

Every year, we look at how we can tread more lightly on this earth. We donate as best we can to offset any carbon emissions we might create in running our hamper business. We are always looking for ways to improve what we’re doing.

Hamper baskets

All the production sites for wicker hampers are full Sedex members. This involves being inspected regularly by independent ethical auditors. Our wicker hamper supplier’s Ethical Trading Policy is publicly available https://www.gadsby.co.uk/92/business-ethics-csr. It’s adapted from the base code of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), which enshrines important workers rights and ensures living wages are paid.

Social Supermarket boxes

All our Social Supermarket gift boxes are made from minimum 90% recycled cardboard manufactured in the UK. We also encourage people to reuse the boxes and give them a second life.

Fulfilment

We work with two fulfilment sites to pack our gift boxes and hamper. One of our partners is Mail Out, a social enterprise based in North London who provide valuable employment and training for people with disabilities. The second fulfilment centre we work with is carbon neutral, powered by on site renewable energy. They have also been shortlisted for the 2016 Business in the Community Environmental Award. You can find more about them here – https://www.lanchestergroup.com/sustainable-wine-business/.

Partners

We are also committed to spend at least 50% of non-labour costs with local and independent suppliers who prioritise sustainability.

If you would like to learn more or have ideas for how we could collaborate to become even more sustainable, we’d love to hear from you.