Online gift retailer PersonalisedGiftsShop is aiming for zero waste, with all outgoing packaging recyclable within the next 12 months.
The company currently recycles 90% of incoming packaging and, over the next year, is aiming to have all its outgoing packaging to customers 100% recyclable, as well as improving the amount of incoming packaging recycled. Currently, if an incoming box is sturdy and reusable, then it is reused for outgoing deliveries.
The online gift retailer has recently invested £7,000 in a commercial shredder, which shreds all incoming packaging and boxes which cannot be reused. The shredded material is then used within packages sent out to customers to protect the gift item. Additionally, all incoming plastic cushions, bubble wraps and paper wraps are reused within outgoing parcels as protection.
In an average week, PersonalisedGiftsShop anticipates sending out around 15,000 personalised gifts, peaking at almost 300% to 400% during busy periods such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and during the wedding season.
“Sustainability is a massive buzzword for businesses, and in industries like ours, where we’re receiving and delivering millions of packages every year. It’s become central to what we do,” states PersonalisedGiftsShop.co.uk founder Jane Gokgoz. “Recycling as much material as we can is vital as part of our ongoing environmental commitment but there is room for improvement and that’s something the team will be working hard on. By 2021 we’re aiming for 100% recycled outgoing packaging and I’m confident the team will achieve the goal.”
Jane continues: “As we continue to grow, our commitment to the environment and sustainability will grow with us and we’ll invest the time and capital in the appropriate systems, materials and machinery to make this happen.”
PersonalisedGiftsShop delivers thousands of personalised gifts every year. In the run up to Christmas, over 125,000 parcels were sent out to customers with a further 30,000 items shipped for Valentine’s Day.
National figures from 2017 indicate that 3,754 tonnes of paper and cardboard were recovered or recycled from UK businesses, giving a 79% achieved rate. That compares well to the 60% set by the EU.
Top: By 2021, PersonalisedGiftsShop is aiming for 100% recycled outgoing packaging.
