This year the Observer Ethical Awards are going to be tougher than ever as we find ourselves up against the supermarkets. Whilst all initiatives are to be applauded we wanted to tell you why we believe we deserve your votes.
Those of you who know us well will be aware of the pioneering standards we have set in ethical retail over the years. From the support of many fair trade projects, to the promotion and support of small eco businesses and innovations. Our latest initiative is one we hope you will agree is worth voting for and supporting:
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May 2007: Our current ‘RE-BOX’ initiative is launched. The mission was to send out your orders using discarded boxes and packaging collected from local businesses. Estimated impact? Our purchases of recycled cardboard boxes were reduced by 75%.
2008 Onwards: Let’s hope this initiative once again sets the agenda for others.
Thanks to you, our customers, business is changing for the better. Our business has a long-term mission to contribute wherever we can to a better world. Please show us your support and stand with us as we take things to the next level. Watch this space. It’s going to be an exciting year…
The Observer is asking its readers to vote and we would love your support in the ‘Best Supermarket or Online Retailer Initiative’ for our RE-BOX initiative:
VOTE HERE: observer.guardian.co.uk/ethicalawards
Vote Before: 14th March 2008 |
Here are just a few of the many other agenda-setting initiatives we have introduced that you may not know about:
TOUGH ON TOXICS
Natural Collection has long been committed to avoiding certain chemicals and materials.
1999: We have avoided both PVC products and PVC packaging since 1999.
2000: We have not carried NiCad batteries since 2000.
2002: We have not sold anything containing Parabens since 2002. Even other eco retailers said we were crazy. Now, it's an accepted eco standard.
RECYCLED CASH
2006: Our catalogue has helped numerous environmental organisations raise hundreds of thousands of pounds and of course our catalogues were one of the first mainstream full colour catalogues to be printed on 'post consumer waste paper' (that’s the paper we all throw away – recycled paper can often be the off cuts of virgin paper from the paper mills)
RETHINK PALM OIL
2003: We started doing research.
2004: We offered palm oil free soaps.
2006: We began eliminating non-organic palm oil in bar soaps we sell.
2007: Mainstream retailers start addressing complex issues surrounding palm oil.
TAKE CARE WITH NANO
2006: We said ‘Careful with Nano particularly when in contact with our bodies’.
2008: Soil Association says no to organic certification of products containing nanoparticles.
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