Briman Voice – Green Shoots

Briman members are demonstrating greater sustainability, says Mark Alderson.

Merchandise World offered Briman members a fantastic opportunity to meet with distributors and reinforce the key and varied benefits of buying British manufactured products. In this respect, distributors were equally enthusiastic in wanting to discuss the current industry buzzword of ‘sustainability’ in relation to British-made merchandise. Instead of answering the usual queries about new products, suppliers were happy to respond to questions relating to eco-friendly or sustainable products.

A major driving force in thrusting sustainability into the spotlight was the BBC series Blue Planet. The documentary highlighted a selection of the negative impacts our lifestyles are having on the environment; in particular, those associated with single-use plastic. Many Briman members have taken steps to improve product and packaging composition while others have created non- plastic packaging alternatives and a variety of sustainable products.

First Editions has developed a range of sports bottles that are not only reusable and recyclable but will also biodegrade when they enter an active landfill. CHX Products is literally turning waste into products with the whole of its extensive plastic range moulded from 100% waste plastic. Sales manager, Max Rutland, said: “We’ve recently commissioned a machine that’s able to turn all our ‘waste’ back into granules in house.

Essentially this means we are now making 100% recycled promotional products, from recycled promotional products.” WCM&A has taken a stand against unsustainable packaging by removing all single-use plastic from its range of name badges, which are supplied in a recycled card and paper-based packaging with plastic-free badge carriers and even use plastic-free packing tape. Numerous other members have invested in packaging shredders which turn waste cardboard into plastic-free packaging.

The range of Seed sticks offered by Sow Easy provides the ultimate sustainable promotional item. Jamie Gray, sales director, explained: “As well as bringing flashes of colour and fragrance to our environment, plants provide an array of benefits. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find they play a vital role in creating a feeling of wellbeing, improving air quality, balancing the ecosystem, and teaching our little ones some important life lessons.”

Mark Alderson is chairman of the Briman Group.

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