We recently applied for a Green Growth Award through Small Business Britain. We don’t shout about our focus on sustainability enough, and it was thought that this would give us a push in the right direction. Read our application below:
Tell us about your business
Keeley Packaging designs and supplies custom paper-based sustainable packaging. We operate mainly in North Wales and North-West England, with a remote service throughout the UK. We help other small and medium sized businesses find corrugated and solid board solutions to their packaging. The nature of our business oozes sustainability. We can design out polymer-based materials, and the use of wire staples, that make packaging difficult to recycle. We also hold a small range of paper based complimentary items for our customers, such as paper packing tape, paper document enclosed envelopes, and corrugated DO NOT STACK cones.
How does sustainability play a role in your business?
Sustainability is one of the core values of our business. Every pack design we work on must consider the UK Government Guidelines for the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2015, which means we consciously look at the following points in collaboration with our customers:
1. How much material is being used – if the design offers the minimum amount of material and weight of material for the design brief.
2. Can it be reused or recycled – we look at ease of recyclability and environmental impact.
3. Are any hazardous substances in the design that would affect the environment if incinerated or in landfill.
What’s more, we always make our customers aware of any finishing materials that would affect the recyclability of their packaging and encourage an alternative manufacturing process where necessary. It’s surprising the lack of knowledge from packaging buyers when it comes to sustainability in manufacturing and distribution. We aim to educate without being patronising and come up with solutions for a true circular economy. We also encourage the use of material identification symbols for any printed or moulded designs.
How have your sustainable practices benefited your business financially?
Our small business is there to help other businesses be more sustainable and environmentally aware when it comes to their packaging, so sustainability is our bread and butter. Spreading the word and educating our customers helps us gain more business and grow. We’re looking to take on another salesperson to assist in this.
What would it mean for you and your business to be recognised as part of the Green Growth 100?
Being part of the Green Growth 100 would mean being part of something bigger, which is what most small businesses need – we certainly do! To be part of a collaboration of like-minded entrepreneurs would be the most supportive thing we could achieve at the moment. It would also be something we’d be proud to shout about, which would help to bolster the message of sustainability in business.
If you were awarded the £5,000 grant, how would you use it to grow your sustainability ambitions?
It has taken many years to lay the foundations of this self-funded business with the support of a long-term customer base. However, we now need the resources to allow us to help more businesses in the same way. If we were awarded the grant, we would use it to do just that. We would like to employ a new person to spread our message and gain new business, supplying more businesses with eco-friendly and sustainable packaging. This grant would contribute towards getting someone on board and enabling our business to grow.