We’re all guilty of it – a plastic bag here, a disposable coffee cup there – small instances of wastefulness in the name of convenience but the tide is turning. People are turning away from single-use plastic and embracing public transport. But for publishers it’s not just about a bag for life at the supermarket, they are fast becoming eco warriors – saving the world one starch or paper wrapper at a time.
As a 21st century consumer our decisions matter more than ever.
Publishers are leading the way with environmentally sustainable packaging, reducing their contribution to the world’s overflowing landfills by swapping plastic poly wraps for potato starch, paper wrappers or mailing their magazines completely ‘naked’ with no packaging at all.
We were an early adopter of the compostable wrap and led a new initiative to secure discounts for starch mailing packs. We’re now saving two tonnes of plastic annually – with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Benenden, the Royal Photographic Society, and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health among our clients that have made the switch.
Feedback on the new packaging has been overwhelmingly positive. One member of the Royal Society of Biology tweeted: “Bravo to the RSB for posting The Biologist in a compostable wrapper”, while a satisfied recipient of the RPS Journal said: “Love the fully compostable wrapper that The Journal now comes in! Brilliant move.”
Now we’re experimenting with printed paper wrappers which are 100% recyclable.
The UK government has said its 25-year environmental plan will eliminate “avoidable waste” by 2050, and “avoidable plastic waste” by 2042. But there are simple actions we can all take, now, that could add up to a big difference – steps such as carrying a reusable bag or coffee cup. And most importantly – making an easy win with your membership magazines by ditching plastic wrappers.
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