From Passion to Practice: One Sustainable Sticker at a Time
Standing out takes courage. Staying true to your principles requires not just bravery but also a hefty dose of resilience. In a world buzzing with diverse opinions, ever-shifting trends, and constant consumer demands, it's often simpler to conform than to stand firm.
In the words of Vishen Lakhiani – there are two types of businesses - humanity plus and humanity minus. Humanity-minus companies are often businesses that exist solely for a profit motive. Other humanity-minus companies are founded on artificial demand – that is, selling products we don’t truly need and that might even be potentially harmful, but they are marketed as necessities for well-being or happiness.
Humanity-plus companies, in contrast, push the human race forward. Some examples include companies focusing on clean, renewable energy sources, companies that promote healthy eating and living, or companies working on new ways to elevate and improve life on our planet. (1)
Paper and Bloom unequivocally falls into the humanity-plus category. Founded by the talented French lady, Sarah, her graphic design background combined with a passion for sustainability has birthed a business crafting plantable cards and stationery. (2)
Paper and Bloom's beautiful plantable cards, recycled prints, and stationery offer zero-waste gifts. Embedded with Swan River daisy seeds, local to Western Australia, their plantable cards are not just cards; they're gifts and cards simultaneously. (2)
Made from 100% recycled paper collected locally, Paper and Bloom's seeded paper, along with their packaging, is an ode to sustainability. Using the smallest amount of packaging to strike a balance between protecting products and the planet, they say "No" to single-use plastics, embracing biodegradable materials. All orders are packed in 100% biodegradable and plant-based cello bags, they also use biodegradable stickers and packing tape. They say “No” to plastic-based envelopes from the Post office and “Yes” to paper-based ones. They don’t include paper invoices as standard, as all invoices and receipts are sent via email. They also turn their scraps and trial cards into Thank you cards to save them from the bin. (2)
Need we add more to sway you?
Here are some mind-blowing numbers for you - the global gift market’s worth is currently estimated at $62 billion and the global gift-wrapping sector is currently worth $17.43 billion. As much joy as a perfectly wrapped present may bring to the recipient, there’s a flipside one needs to consider. Namely, 2.3 million of the 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper produced each year ends up in landfills. (3)
Bows, bags and other holiday materials add 1 million tons of trash to landfills each week, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (4)
There are several reasons why sustainability is becoming a larger focus for companies and retailers.
A study by Nielsen found that 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods. This number is even higher for millennials—73% of respondents said they would pay more for sustainable goods. (5)
Publicly traded companies also see gains from going green. A study by the Keenan Institute for Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina found that companies with high environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings experience higher stock returns. (6) According to World Wildlife Fund, almost half of Fortune 500 companies are "capturing significant business value," from cutting emissions and using clean energy. (7)
Environmental considerations are no longer "nice to have." Nor are they only prioritized by companies catering to outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists. (8)
Sustainability is never so costly that businesses can't compete. It's quite the opposite: businesses won't keep up with international standards without going eco-friendly. (8)
This subject hits close to home for us at Chameleon Sand Candle, especially as we're on the brink of introducing our sand candle tubes. Anyone diving into this endeavour, committed to delivering a sustainable and eco-friendly product to the market, understands the frustration of navigating through various materials, seeking alternatives, and often realizing that opting for the best materials often comes with a hefty price tag. While we acknowledge that we're not perfect at Chameleon Sand Candle, we're dedicated to the journey of ensuring every aspect of our products—yes, even the small stickers needed for the tube—is genuinely and thoroughly environmentally friendly. As the world's leading brand in candle innovation, we refuse to settle for anything less.
When Sarah expresses her commitment to sparking change within the gifts industry, we wholeheartedly understand her perspective. Being the change, you wish to see in the world demands courage along with substantial patience. Just like Sarah, at Chameleon Sand Candle, we're fully dedicated to driving change—we're transforming the way people perceive candles and how they incorporate them into their lives. Our mission is to kindle imagination and encourage individuals to unleash their creativity. We firmly believe that for humanity to evolve, our ways and practices must also evolve—one sustainable sticker at a time.
References:
1. https://careers.mindvalley.com/manifesto
2. https://paperandbloom.com.au/about-paper-and-bloom-eco-friendly-plantable-seeded-cards/
3. https://savemycent.com/gift-industry-statistics/
4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2021/12/08/christmas-gifts-sustainable-holidays/
5. https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2018/what-sustainability-means-today/
6. https://kenaninstitute.unc.edu/kenan-insight/does-esg-investing-generate-higher-returns/
8. https://www.brandaddition.com/insights/shifting-to-sustainability-merchandising-and-gifting-go-green
