Sustainability Matters

Kew enterprises prioritises the sourcing of sustainable products in our on-site and online retail outlets. Kew Enterprises has its own Ethical and Environmental Sourcing Policy, and a robust process for ensuring that crucial sustainability certifications (such as FSC and RSPO) are evidenced by our suppliers. While we do not always have the buying power necessary to drive major change in supply chains, we will continue to ask challenging questions of all our suppliers and seek out those suppliers willing to deeply engage with sustainable supply chains. Through our retail outlets we have worked to rapidly remove single-use plastics, measure and reduce packaging, optimise delivery numbers to minimise transport emissions, and select peat-free horticultural products wherever they are available. (RBG Kew: Sustainability Strategy (2021)

Note from our buyers

We are always looking to improve the sustainability of our ranges, whether it is working with suppliers to change the packaging they use such as the introduction of corn-starch wraps on our cards and sweet ranges, or sourcing new brands who have found sustainable alternatives to everyday products like Cork Bags as an alternative to leather.

We also work with suppliers who set up initiatives to give back to local communities or the environment where possible. We set out to reduce and ultimately remove plastic pick up gifting for kids, bringing in FSC Wooden alternatives that last longer.

We strive to ensure that we are sourcing paper material that is made only from paper from a proven sustainable source. Our books and print product are made from 100% FSC accredited printers and we always try to source our greeting cards and prints from local suppliers within the UK.

Packaging

The cardboard boxes and packaging we use are compostable and made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sources. Where possible we repurpose boxes and packaging we receive from our suppliers to minimise waste across Retail and ECommerce. Additionally, we use Hivewrap or recycled paper as an alternative to bubble wrap and plastic packaging.

Couriers

We largely ship online orders with Royal Mail who already have the lowest reported carbon emissions per parcel of any major UK delivery company and have the UK’s largest electric van fleet of any major UK parcel operator. Royal Mail aim to be net zero by 2040, bringing forward the initial target by ten years.