Our Plastic Free Journey - #5 Happy Earth Day 2021
Our Plastic Free Journey - Be your eco best!
22nd April 2021
It’s Earth Day today which seems like a great moment to consider the eco crafting journey I’ve been on so far with Craft Box Club. I also want to offer you one single thing that you can do to contribute to combatting climate change, to helping our environment, to making a better world for everyone.
The journey
It’s been over a year now since Craft Box Club pledged to go entirely plastic free. Can I be honest with you? I was worried. When I got “PLASTIC FREE” printed on the box, friends said, “WOW, you’re just a small business dude! Are you sure you want to sign up to that? Are you really sure that you can design a new kit every month without using any plastic?!”. I really wasn’t sure. But I had to try because that’s the sort of world I want to see. I don’t want products made as cheap as possible containing tonnes of plastic. I don’t want to switch on the TV one day and see a piece Craft Box Club kit wrapped around a turtle! Horrendous!
I’m pleased to say that, a year on, it’s been surprisingly easy to keep the kits coming without including a shred of plastic. I have loved educating myself about different craft materials and innovative types of packaging. Doing something different has often helped inspire me to create something unique and really hasn’t held me back.
Please pack plastic FREE!!!
It’s not all gone smoothly! The hardest part for me has been finding packaging to hold powders of all kinds. Thanks so much to the select few customers who patiently waited for a resupply when they found powder explosions in their kits! I'm excited to have recently discovered cellulose bags which I am hopeful will finally rid us all of any more crafty surprises!
Luckily, the UK is absolutely fantastic at supplying craft materials. I’ve been able to work with several trusted suppliers who provide top quality materials such as wool, rope and powder paints with minimal packaging. Finding UK suppliers also really cuts down on any environmental impact from transport.
What I’m finding harder is sourcing tools from the UK. Although I am able to find great quality tools which are plastic free internationally, it’s very hard to explain that I want them shipped without plastic wrapping. Step one was to make sure that tools are not wrapped individually. I’ve had a decent amount of success with this and has massively reduced the amount of plastic in my supply chain. However, I still get situations like this…
When I ordered the cutters for the lino cutting kit, I had a long conversation with the supplier over 4 days about getting the tools without plastic. I convinced them to go and find a paper alternative. I was delighted! However, when they arrived a month later, the handles were packaged in paper but the blades were in plastic! My heart sinks at these moments but I promise, I will do everything in my power to improve this and that every single order I ever place comes with the note. PLEASE PACKAGE PLASTIC FREE. I encourage you to do the same. It usually works!
I’m really pleased to have started working with a few independent tool makers in the UK this year that share my values! I can’t wait to work with them again and to find more!
My number one tip for a better planet
People always want to know what the one thing is that they can do to help combat climate change, to make a better world. Ever had a straight answer? NOPE! Well that’s because it’s complex right? It’s also a huge deal? How can any of us make a difference on our own? Surely it’s impossible! NOPE AGAIN!
Here’s the answer. You need to pick a cause that you are most passionate about. Decide on the way that you want to make a better world and throw yourself at it. You can’t do everything so pick something that gets you excited. Then think about what you’re best at. Where can you make the most difference. Can you organise a demonstration? Can you inspire people? Can you educate people? Can you decide to buy more ethical product? Where do your skills overlap with your cause?
Once you’ve decided, tell everyone about it. Get other people involved. That’s where the real power of your project comes in. When you inspire people to act together you transform your individual action into global action!
I’ve chosen plastic free crafting but there some many good causes to fight and they all need help! What’s your cause? What change will you commit to?
I promise I will…
Remain independent – Without the pressure to act in the interest of external financial demands I can stay true to what I believe in.
Keep making my craft kits plastic free and as sustainable and low impact as I possibly can. Next step, removing it from my supply chain.
Continue to promote environmental issues.
Be true to the Craft Box Club values in the whole of my life. Links to some people that help me with this at the bottom.
Make sure that Craft Box Club growth and scale makes it more sustainable not less.
JOIN THE eco crafting MOVEMENT
If you’d like to learn the skills to start making your own beautiful and useful things, join us today! It won’t cost the Earth!
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