Sustainability in Shipping Practices
Hello everyone! As the driving force behind Ampersand, I’m thrilled to share how we’re making strides toward sustainability, particularly in our shipping practices. Acknowledging the significant carbon footprint shipping can have, we’ve implemented several key initiatives to reduce our impact on the environment.
1. Local Manufacturing for Eco-Friendly Packaging
One major step we've taken is sourcing our boxes locally. By doing so, we cut down on the carbon emissions otherwise generated from long-distance transportation. Here’s why this strategy is a win-win:
Reduced carbon footprint: Our boxes are delivered from a nearby town, minimizing transportation emissions.
Customization: We can design our boxes with unique features, like tulip vent holes, and ensure the boxes perfectly match our product sizes.
Optimized space usage: Efficiently sized boxes help us save space on trucks, further reducing emissions.
2. Eco-Friendly Packing Materials
We’ve always used recyclable paper tape for sealing packages. This ensures that all our packaging materials are household recyclable, aligning with our sustainability goals.
Plus, these sturdy twin-wall boxes are highly durable and ideal for reuse.
Reuse tips for our boxes:
Ship cut flowers during off-seasons.
Open and flatten boxes for use as weed suppressants in gardens.
3. Sustainable Bag Options for Smaller Shipments
For smaller quantities, we’re committed to avoiding plastic by using cotton bags from EcoBags. Here’s why we love them:
Environmentally friendly: These bags are biodegradable and help eliminate plastic waste.
Versatile & reusable: They’re perfect for storing toys, beach gear, toiletries, and more. Just wash them in hot water to maintain their durability.
4. Innovative Freight and Pallet Strapping
We’ve revamped our freight shipment process with PET-based strapping, which doesn’t require metal clamps. This strapping is the same material used for water bottles, making it suitable for household recycling.
5. Dual-purpose Hydro Trays
In an effort to maximize efficiency, we're combining shipments when possible by inserting liners in our hydro trays. This approach helps protect delicate products while minimizing packaging and postage costs.
Your Involvement Matters
We’ve also included a small gift in your packages as a token of appreciation. We’d love for you to share your unboxing experiences. Your feedback and stories are crucial for our growth and spreading our mission.
As a small, woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry, Ampersand is passionate about bringing high-quality, eco-friendly products to you. We cherish your support and look forward to continuing our journey together. Thank you for being a part of our community.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions on how we can further reduce our carbon footprint.
Linda at Ampersand