Carbon Offset Paper through the World Land Trust - Jan 2022
As from January 2022 all the paper we use will be carbon balanced by offsetting it through the World Land Trust.
The World Land Trust is an international conservation charity that protects the world’s most biologically significant and threatened habitats acre by acre. Since its foundation in 1989, WLT has funded partner organisations around the world to create reserves and give permanent protection to habitats and wildlife. To date, WLT has helped secure more than 881,000 acres of threatened habitat in 20 countries. WLT’s patrons include Sir David Attenborough OM CH FRS, Steve Backshall MBE, David Gower OBE & Chris Packham CBE.
Naked Mailing - Jan 2022
I know, it's a terrible description, but that apparently is the actual technical term for it!
In short, it means it's not posted in anything and just uses the back cover to featuring the mailing data. So while our old polybags were compostable in open air, if they find their way into landfill, that becomes a different matter. Mailing 'naked' removes this element altogether.
Royal Mail Delivery - 2022
90% of our journal deliveries take place in the UK through Royal Mail which is widely credited a being the most carbon conscious delivery company in the UK.
At the time of updating this post (Dec 2021), I'm still waiting to hear back from the Royal Mail Corporate Responsibility department to see how much data they can give me about the carbon impact of our quarterly mailing. Until I know that, I don't know what I should be offestting through a carbon offset scheme, so this is one in progress.
Journal Content Pages and Cover 2020
100% FSC Offset Recycled Paper (uncoated).
More info at this link https://denmaur.com/Paper_Products_Revive_Revive-100-Uncoated.html
Postage Polybag - Jan 2020
This compostable polybag uses biopolymers, consisting mainly of potato & maize starch which is fully sustainable.
The poly is compostable in open air as long as there are micro-organisms to break it down, and can be disposed of on any compost heap, in a household garden waste bin, a household food waste bin, or you can use it to line your food waste bin.
Inks and Printing 2005-Current
We have used plant-based inks in the printing of the Co-Kinetic journal for many years now.
It's a Work in Progress
While we’ve all been aware of the significance of carbon emissions on the environment, in practical terms it’s hard for any small business, particularly those working on small profit margins also coping with set-backs like Covid, to be able to afford the right expertise to calculate their specific carbon emissions. So this process is a work in progress for us at Co-Kinetic. As I commonly do, I’ve turned to the 80:20 rule, to identify the ways I can achieve the greatest results with the smallest impact on the business. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that the biggest carbon contributor in my business is the production and mailing of our quarterly journal which is why I've focused on the aspects I've detailed above.
Next Steps in Approximate Order of Priority
Understand the carbon impact of my full mailing delivery (both UK and overseas)
Understand the carbon impact of the printing/production process (we've covered materials but there's still the printing process to account for)
Understand the carbon impact of the day-to-day running of our business to deliver our online content and services (we already use a vast majority of cloud services but there's still energy consumption in the use of the computers etc.)
Understand my team's energy consumption and carbon emissions while they work for Co-Kinetic.
Challenges to Overcome
As I've mentioned above it's very hard for any small business running on tight profit margins to be able to afford the necessary expertise to get a clear picture of their carbon footprint. If anyone comes across any services or individuals who can help small businesses to understand this, please get in touch or refer them to me!