Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. A recent documentary opened my eyes to the devastating impact of plastic on wildlife and our planet. Birds mistaking plastic bottle caps for food and feeding them to their chicks, ultimately dooming them, is just one heartbreaking example. This documentary underscored the pervasive nature of plastic, infiltrating every corner of the earth over the past few decades.
Despite our best efforts, plastic is everywhere. Trying to shop ‘plastic-free’ can feel like an impossible task, especially in major supermarkets. It’s in our mail, our packaging, and even in our clothing, furniture, and children's toys. As businesses, we have a crucial role in reducing the use of non-degradable materials like plastic. At CUP O FLORA, we have committed to this cause over the past eight years by taking concrete steps to minimise our product’s environmental footprint.
1. Using Glass for Our Pots Instead of Plastic
At CUP O FLORA, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality, durable pots made from strong, long-lasting glass. We also provide spare parts online to ensure that entire pots aren’t discarded unnecessarily.
2. Stopping the Use of Bubble Wrap
Since 2018, we have requested our manufacturers to stop using bubble wrap for our pots. Our products are robust enough to travel without it. By the end of 2020, all our vessels were bubble wrap-free. For any necessary wrapping, we collaborate with Reverse Garbage, a fantastic organisation in Marrickville, Sydney, where one person’s waste becomes another's resource.
3. Continuously Researching Environmentally-Friendly Alternatives
We are constantly exploring different alternatives to protect our pots without plastic or Styrofoam. Our focus is on recycled and recyclable materials like paper and cardboard. In 2023, we introduced new cardboard 'cushions' to reduce the risk of breakage. These cushions will be found in our Large pots from February and in Medium pots later in the year. Although we currently use silicon rings to separate the inner cup from the outer pot, we hope the new cushions will allow us to phase out these non-recyclable rings after thorough testing.
4. Using Recyclable Materials
All our shipping and packaging boxes are made from recyclable cardboard, as are our tags and welcome cards, which are free of plastic linings. Additionally, we use fit-to-order boxes to minimize unused space and compostable bags for our soil, which can be added to compost bins or worm farms, or even placed in green bins in some areas.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Our mission is ongoing. We are continually striving to reduce our use of plastic tape and our delivery footprint. As our business grows, so will our innovative approaches to minimizing our environmental impact. Businesses play a crucial role in reducing plastic usage, but individual actions are equally important. Here are three simple things you can do to help the environment:
Reduce your use of plastic. Say NO next time you are offered a non-essential bag or coffee cup.
- Pick up rubbish to stop it from entering our waterways (try it, it feels great).
- Use reusable or compostable alternatives.
At CUP O FLORA, we strive to be responsible corporate and individual citizens of this planet. We are confident that together, we can make a difference.