Sustainability is an essential benchmark for Esschert Design. We are constantly looking for new ways to sell our products in the most environmentally friendly way possible. This means that we consider the product's life cycle as well as the materials and natural resources used. This allows us to also make existing products more sustainably and give them a more sustainable package.

We use natural resources made from renewable materials like wood, bamboo, and glass for example, but we also choose long-lasting materials like waxed canvas. We also took a close look at our existing packaging and improved or replaced some less sustainable versions with durable alternatives. For all the new collections we create, sustainability is a big part of the development process right from the start.

1. Biodegradable products

Even before plastic disposables were banned, you could come to us for more environmentally friendly options. The reusable bamboo straws, disposable paper cups, napkins, placemats, and tablecloths, as well as the palm leaf plates from the Secret du Potager collection, are made of natural materials and are thus totally biodegradable. Read all about our environmentally friendly tableware here. Aside from dinnerware, our brooms and cleaning brushes are also constructed of natural materials, allowing us to use less plastic overall!

2. Recycled-materials-based products

Many of our goods are already made of recycled materials. We build children's swings and rubber baskets out of used vehicle tyres, for example. Furthermore, the backing of our printed doormats is made of 100% recycled rubber. The glassware in our terrariums, sunken flower vases, and peanut butter pots is also manufactured from recycled materials, allowing you to choose for sustainability when purchasing these items. We are currently in the process of replacing our existing plastic watering cans with watering cans made from used plastic. For all new watering cans we develop, we already look at the possibilities for a sustainable material during the production process.

3. FSC® labeled products: wood, paper, and cardboard

Esschert Design has had an official FSC® certificate since 2006 on which we are tested every year. Currently, 491 products (and counting) made of wood, cardboard, or paper are certified. This means that our wooden, paper and cardboard products and packaging have been obtained from legal woodcutting. They come from forest areas that are not threatened by other management activities or that have been converted to a non-forest use. Additionally, trees that are used have not been genetically modified. You can discover the certifications our products have in the web shop's product specifications. Read more about it here.

4. Product packaging

Our packaging plays a significant role in the sustainability chain. We've already switched to FSC® certified cardboard (in our premium food product line, for example), biodegradable plastic, and water-based ink, and we're selling more and more fat balls without nets. In addition, instead of plastic aired bags, the outer box of your order is filled as much as possible with cardboard or shredded paper. Also, many products are packed knockdown so that they are easier to ship. In this way, less emitting freight traffic is needed for the same quantity of products.

Looking for more sustainable solutions for your shop? Filter on the tag 'Sustainable' under the tab 'blogs', here you will find all topics that involve sustainability.