The stock in my shop is vintage, antique and sustainable. I’m always charmed by the story attached to vintage items, as it adds another layer of unique richness. It feels good to find new homes for the preloved treasures I’ve sourced and sending them out to be reloved is the start of a whole new chapter.
If this is the story of the stock in my shop, then it follows the journey and continues reflecting this in the new home and beyond. It feels right that I should put as much thought into the packaging at the end of their time with me.
Don’t we all love the unwrapping, it’s one more exciting part of the buying experience. I remember the magic of gifts from my step grandmother. Wrapped in crunchy recycled tissue the parcels were often embellished with a gift tag cut from scraps of printed pictures, the wrapping secured with reused velvet ribbon, coloured twine or glossy embroidery floss. I remember the heady excitement of wondering what precious surprises were carefully nestled in the layers of crinkled paper.
Our resources are a precious commodity to be used sparingly and where ever possible given new life. Surely designing a packaging livery that reflects the company’s sustainable ethos and reusing packaging, can be as attractive as any using new materials? My mission is to create a parcel that brings delight, while still being desirable and mysterious. A theme that’s not rigid, so it can develop and flex according to the available materials as we go along. I’ve long been cutting out the plastic and packaging, now it’s time to show intention following through in the shop.
Learning by example is always solid. I’m not alone looking for a more sustainable way forward so I’ve turned my attention to checking out the parcels that arrive from online retailers. Silver antiques dealer Natasha @the_ urban_ vintage_ affair has a super positive blog about the do’s and don’ts of sustainable packaging. Hayley @shopivyjoan sources gorgeous vintage homewares and has a wonderful brand image as does the upmarket product designer extraordinaire Snowden @snowdenflood Both source packaging from suppliers Kite packaging who have a strong ethical message. And last but not least you might never buy packaging again by following the brilliant advice from Louisa, vintage garden and lifestyle online supplier @Sugdenanddaughters who puts out a message for unwanted packaging to her local community.
Moving forward to the actual wrapping, it’s about keeping materials once manufactured out of landfill for as long as possible and using product that can ultimately break down into compost. Starch based packing peanuts that dissolve in water are always great for padding. For fragile and bulky parcels often plastic bubble wrap has to be used, I reuse and when I source new it’s always recycled. So it can be reused keep the pieces as large as possible and fold for extra layers. There’s a stash of reusable materials that I have gathered along the way ready for sending out parcels, a collection of stationery, cardboard, paper and twine. And don’t overlook textiles I love a torn strip of tattered silk, course linen or a gaudy print cotton for tying a parcel. Lastly I have a selection of bespoke rubber stamps for stamping brand identity onto recycled paper and labels.
I’m forever hatching new ideas, the plan is guaranteed to evolve. While moving forward I intend encouraging others to reuse, spreading the word one parcel at a time. Let me know how you get on,watch this space, Ill be back!
If you like this post check out my posts on Plastic Free Kitchen , La Rentre: The Start of My Plastic Free Journey and Ditching The Plastic One Step At A Time: Herbal Tea Bag