26 April 2018

Paper Packaging - Going Plastic Free

Paper Packaging - Going Plastic Free

Going plastic free has become a really hot topic of late.  It's something we've been working on for some time, and have removed plastic from most things we do; Axel even wrote one of his dissertations at The Open University on microplastics which is something close to his heart.  

We've been zero waste-to-landfill for over 5 years now.

And our target for being plastic free is latest 2020, which means in practice we're aiming to be close to being plastic free next year.

Firstly, we'd like to reassure our customers that our core range of herbs and spices and baking extracts is all in recyclable or reusable glass, even the lid is recyclable, usually through kerbside collections.

In addition when we pack up your parcels to protect your order this is in a cardboard box, with paper tape and we use a paper protective system called Geami. All of this is recyclable, reusable or compostable.

Bubblewrap Steenbergs style, fully compostable, recyclable, plastic free

No Bubblewrap Here! Steenbergs internal packaging is fully compostable, recyclable, plastic free

The tricky area is the plastic film we use in teas and our refill bulk bags.  We are working on changing the film for our tea to a compostable film but this won't be recyclable.  But in the meantime we offer to recycle the film - if you return it to us, giving you a 5% discount on your next order.

The next area for us to tackle will be our bulk bags.  We currently offer an alternative if you ask when ordering - old fashioned paper bags are possible. Some of the ground spices do leak into the paper so it doesn't work for paprika, ground cumin and turmeric, but it is available for many other products. We are working on a more permanent solution because currently we are having to pack the paper option on the date of dispatch on an order-by-order basis.

We will continue to look at this whole area, as we have always done, as we have always viewed the environment and eco-friendly solutions as at the heart of our business.

If you have any additional queries please don't hesitate to contact us.

Alternative packaging for bulk spices and teas at Steenbergs

Plastic Free Alternative - Paper packaging option for bulk spices and teas at Steenbergs