Well those 3 months went in quickly..!
When we started we wrote a blog about sustainability in LocalBox and said we would review this periodically. This is our first review, we want to look at what we are doing and include any improvements or changes.
This is what we said we are going to do now:
- Our delivery boxes are made in the UK, from 95% recycled plastic
We are really happy with how our delivery boxes are faring so far. So much so that we ordered a huge pallet’s worth more of them. Some of these boxes will already have been used 10 times and they aren’t showing any wear.
One handle broke off on a delivery day but we were able to ask our supplier to send a couple of handles that we can use as replacements. This is amazing because that box with a broken handle was not been wasted.
The boxes get a soapy wash when they come back to use and then get a spray down again before they go back out the next time.
2. All our packaging is 100% reusable
Our cool bags and freezer packs are also working really well. They are quick to wash and dry, the cool bags come out of the washing machine looking exactly the same! Our cool bags are recyclable so when they do eventually come to the end of their life, we will make sure they get recycled.
3. We deliver to areas on certain days, to minimise mileage
For now we are still delivering in the Belfast area only. We have a custom built delivery logistics system which maps out the shortest route for deliveries. This is great because it keeps our miles down!
4. Learning what sustainability looks like in food and deliveries
Every week when I wash the boxes I put on Sustainable Food Trust podcast, which only started recording at the beginning of the pandemic so it’s really topical. Sustainable Food Trust has been a great way to learn about current challenges and potential solutions around sustainability of food. I’ve learned about abattoirs in the UK and the need to localise them; I’ve learned more about soil health; and I’ve thought a lot about buying locally and directly from farmers and producers.
I really recommend the podcast, newsletter or following them on social media if you’re interested in learning more about food sustainability and how our food supply system currently operates.
I also got a copy of chef Tom Hunt’s new book ‘Eating for Pleasure, People and Planet’. It’s a great book that is full of lovely recipes and photos but Tom wants the reader to learn how to get comfortable with sourcing, cooking and eating locally, seasonally, ethically.
What does this mean for LocalBox? Well it keeps us thinking and reflecting on our choices of products we stock and how we can best be interacting with local suppliers and local food supply. Already some of our thinking about what LocalBox would look like has shifted. We were keen to have meat, fruit and vegetables but we think at our current scale and capacity, it’s best for the farmer if customers buy directly from them.
Watch this space for an upcoming blog on local farms you can buy from directly.
5. When you’ve finished your crisps, wash the packet and return it in your Box. We’ll take it to a Terracycle point to be recycled.
This is working really well. We’ve had over 70 crisp packets returned. We still have some way to go before we are getting back 100% of the crisp packets we sell so we will keep shouting about it!
What’s next?
1. We have just launched our first return and refill product with Morning Glory Granola. Using 100% recycled plastic Lock and Lock boxes we are buying our granola loose from the producer and then will box it for the customer. The customer can then return the box to be reused. If this is successful we will do this with more products.
2. We will keep conversations going with suppliers about packaging and how we can reduce it.
3. We are going to draw up criteria for how we choose products and suppliers, sustainability and packaging will be part of the criteria.
4. We are going to keep learning about food supply and production locally and think about ways we can best be engaging with it.
5. We will review and update in 6 months- mid-January 2021.
If you have any ideas or feedback on what we could be doing better please let us know at hello@localboxni.com
