As sustainability and planet protection grows in interest amongst the general public, and with the airing of eye-opening documentaries on mainstream TV, and most recently the publishing of the IPCC report, there’s no wonder it’s such a prevalent and important topic. But what does sustainability mean within ecommerce and online retail, and what do consumers really want?
Search engine data shows that searches for terms such as ‘sustainable retail’ and ‘vegan’ are up by ~22% and ~46% respectively within the last 2 years, and with more than 4 out of 10 shoppers saying they would pay more for a sustainably sourced product^[1], it’s clear to say that sustainability is at the forefront of consumer’s minds; and therefore, the shift to sustainability and eco commitment within ecommerce is certainly a consumer-led movement.

We’ve taken a look at the eco consumer survey held by Sifted which asked 500 participants how much they care about sustainability when purchasing online, and here’s what we’ve found.

How important is sustainability to consumers?

When it comes to choosing suppliers, brands or businesses to purchase from, how important is sustainability to consumers? Well the answer is, very. Research has shown that two thirds of the 500 consumers asked said that their purchasing decision is influenced by the sustainability and eco-friendly practices of a brand or business^[2]. This shows that the majority of consumers are perhaps no longer led by price comparison, or brand name, but rather they are led by the sustainability of a brand and the actions they are taking to be more planet friendly. This is why authenticity is so important when it comes to brands telling their sustainability story, and greenwashing or un-genuine attempts at going green are no longer acceptable.
This is further exemplified by the findings that a mere 21% of those asked said that they never research the sustainability of a company before purchasing from them^[2]. That means an outstanding 79% of consumers will do their homework before committing to a purchase. Sustainability has never been so important, and with consumers demanding brands to be better, they have no choice but to step up.

Consumers who purchase online regularly and receive 5 or more packages a month tend to have higher eco expectations of a brand than those who have a lower online order frequency. 72% of regular online shoppers say that a business's eco-friendliness is important, or very important to them, compared to 65% of those who receive just one or two parcels per month^[3]. Although the research does not delve into the reasoning behind regular purchasers having high expectations of a brand, it could be suggested that due to the high order frequency, regular shoppers are more aware of the damage that online retail can have on the environment. From the shipping and packaging, down to the way products are manufactured, regular online shoppers may feel a responsibility to the environment to ensure the brands they purchase from are doing their bit.

What do shoppers think of the packaging they receive their goods in?

Packaging goods for despatch and shipping is an integral aspect of any online retail operation, and packaging choices can have a huge impact on consumer perception of brands and their eco values. When asked about the packaging that companies use to ship goods, 81% of consumers believe that companies use excessive packaging^[3], and 66% of consumers believe that the size of the package has a moderate to high impact on sustainability^[4]. And they’re not wrong. Oversized packaging that has to be filled with void fill in order to protect a small product in a large box is an example of shipping unnecessary air in despatches. Unfortunately, this is a widespread issue, and with 8.2 million parcels being shipped everyday in the UK, oversized packaging can add up to be a huge problem. Not only does oversized packaging lead to excessive use of void fill and other filler packaging, it also takes up more room than needed on delivery vans; consequently resulting in more vans being used. And we don’t need to tell you that this equals higher carbon emissions and a higher overall carbon footprint for the online retail industry as a whole.

With a whopping 74% of consumers feeling that packaging has a moderate to high impact on sustainability^[4], it’s more important than ever for brands and businesses to make responsible packaging choices. Making small swaps to recyclable or biodegradable alternatives, ensuring cardboard boxes are well sized for the goods they ship, and reducing single use plastics are all ways that brands can improve the sustainability of their operation through packaging. Consumers are very aware of the impact of packaging and therefore, it’s no surprise that shoppers are likely to base their purchasing decision on the efforts that brands are making to improve their sustainability.

Do consumers care about eco-friendly shipping methods?

With lots of online retailers offering next day delivery across their whole product ranges, consumers have become accustomed to speedy delivery processes that means their goods arrive with them almost as quickly as if they’d visited the shop themselves. This is clearly evident in the research with 74% of consumers stating that shipping speed is important or very important when making an online purchasing choice^[4]. However, 82% of those asked said that they would wait an extra day if it meant their goods were shipped in a more eco-friendly way, and 17% would wait an additional 3 days^[5]. Furthermore, 91% of consumers said that they would like to see an eco-friendly shipping option in the checkout when purchasing goods online^[6]. The fact that consumers are willing to compromise on the speed of their delivery in order to reduce the impact that delivery has on the environment shows that consumers truly have a genuine concern for the planet and want retailers to share that concern and act upon it.

How important is price to consumers?

So we’ve established that the majority of consumers are concerned by the sustainability of a supplier, business or brand that they purchase from, but with that in mind, how does eco concern match up against price? Is price still a leading factor in a consumers buying cycle? Or is the cost to the environment more important?

It’s not surprising that 92% of consumers still think that price is a ‘somewhat’ important factor when making purchasing decisions, however, that is rivalled by the 88% of consumers who think eco-friendly practices are also important^[7]. It appears that consumers are now at the point where the balance between sustainability importance and price importance are almost level, and that balance may be beginning to tilt even more towards sustainability. 57% of all consumers asked, stated that they would be willing to spend 10% more for eco-friendly packaging and shipping, and 80% are willing to pay at least an additional 5%^[8]. Even amongst the most price-conscious consumers, the willingness to spend more on a more sustainable shipping and packaging method is certainly a step in the right direction towards protecting our planet.

It’s evident that consumers want businesses to have sustainability at the forefront in all that they do, from eco practices within the company, to sustainable packaging and shipping methods. The ever-growing concern for the environment has only been escalated by the IPCC Climate Change Report, and it’s clear that consumers are driving the changes by expecting more from their online suppliers. All these small steps towards more sustainable practices are adding up to make a big difference to the future of our planet, and if we all continue to expect high eco standard from businesses, we are building a greener, more eco-friendly future.

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Priory Direct Affiliate Team

Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk

Last week, the IPCC released a landmark document on climate change which uncovered the implications and reality of the damage human behaviour has caused on our planet. ‘Bleak’ is an understatement for the general feeling after reading it, and even their ‘best case scenario’ wasn’t exactly enjoyable. It’s very easy to feel overwhelmed with so much negative news, but don’t lose hope, as one thing prevailed through it all - scientists think a catastrophe can be avoided if the world acts fast.

So, with that in mind, we want to help you with some simple ways you and your business can help - and whilst they’re seemingly small, if we all take note and act upon them, it’ll make a big difference.

With so much noise around climate change, carbon emissions, and the need for immediate action, we want you to know that we’re here to help. These points may seem obvious or small, but if everyone acted upon them, we would see a real difference in the world.

Small steps in the right direction are still steps in the right direction - we can’t all do everything, but we can all do something, so do what you can, and together we’ll make a difference we can be proud of. 

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Priory Direct Affiliate Team

Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk

By 2060, global consumption of pulp and paper is expected to double, so what does this mean for our planet?

Increasing consumption creates an increased demand for production, putting pressure on our forests that are already in a critical state. Unfortunately, deforestation is one of the key environmental issues that our planet is facing, with paper consumption accounting for 42% of all global wood harvest. Forests are the ecosystem for thousands of species that could face extinction whilst deforestation continues to increase at an alarming rate.

With a growth in consumption, comes a growth in waste.

During manufacturing, chlorine based bleaches are often applied to paper products, which when dumped in landfill, results in toxic by-products being released into our water, air and soil. By reducing paper usage, we can minimise our impact on forests, ensure our environment is not polluted, and produce less waste.

That’s why we’ve decided to go paperless with our delivery notes. Committed to reducing our impact on the environment, introducing paperless delivery notes will save over 50,000 sheets of paper annually. Instead, delivery notes will be added to order despatch emails instead.

That’s the equivalent of…

As you will know, forests help manage our carbon emissions, improve our air quality, protect us from natural disasters such as floods and landslides, and are great for creating a rich biodiverse community for nature to thrive. Without them, we will lose the battle against the climate crisis. It is imperative that we all do our part in reducing the need for deforestation, so that we can continue to live on a planet that we are proud to call ours.

With the ever increasing pressures of climate legislation and changes in consumer behaviour, the ecommerce and online retail industry is having to adapt, change and improve; reducing impact on the environment and striving for sustainability. Our Managing Director- Josh Pitman, joined Emma Herrod - Editor of RetailX and Sophie Moule - Head of Marketing at Pi Datametrics to talk about the steps that are being taken by retailers within the industry to become more sustainable.

Click here to watch the Webinar.

What the experts say:

Consumer behaviour and habits have changed significantly over the last few years and the focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness is more prevalent now than ever before. More than 4 out of 10 shoppers say they would pay more for a sustainably sourced product or service and a third have already done so; whilst 70% of shoppers say it’s important for them to buy from companies whose values align with their own^[1]. This shift in behaviour isn’t just noted in studies and surveys, Sophie Moule explains that search engine data shows that consumers are researching sustainable alternatives in their everyday lives, with searches for ‘vegan’ increasing by ~46% in 2020-2021 vs 2018-2019, and searches for ‘sustainable retail’ increasing by ~22% in the same time period^[2]. This search engine data shows real intent from consumers to change and opt for more planet friendly, sustainable options. Consumer demand is so strong that it cannot, and certainly should not, be ignored.

Due to consumer demand, commercial decisions are changing; what once was bottom line focused is now sustainability focused and the shift from brands and companies selling efficiency solutions to sustainability solutions is evident. The rising popularity of environmental documentaries and the Attenborough effect have certainly been influential in changing consumer habits and once that awareness has begun, it cannot be undone, so brands are forced to make better, more considered decisions that reduce their impact on the environment.

But it’s not just high-level sustainability efforts that consumers are interested in, there is a real demand for sustainability to be considered throughout every element of the production cycle, from product development and sourcing, in-bound logistics and supply chain, to sales, delivery and returns. Sustainability is not just a marketing tool, brands and companies who are embarking on their sustainability journey should be doing so from a truly authentic and genuine perspective. Consumers are aware of greenwashing and the unauthentic attempts at sustainability by brands and businesses, so authenticity really is key.

How packaging can impact brands' sustainability:

Josh Pitman talks about Priory Direct’s position within the packaging industry and states that; ‘as a packaging supplier, we actually try to get people to use less of it. That may seem counterintuitive but it is after all, a waste material, and waste and unsustainability increases a company's carbon footprint’^[3]. Shipping air, or over use of void fill due to ill fitting packaging is just one issue that is contributing to larger footprints within the ecommerce and online retail industry, and packaging as a whole holds one of the keys to improving sustainability.
Priory Direct is on a mission to make ecommerce a fully sustainable industry, and packaging is just one aspect of that, but it’s an important one. Packaging is the first time a brand meets the customer in the real world, so it’s a hugely important touch point, and poor packaging choices can damage not only brand perception but the environment too. The emerging trend amongst brands is to make sure packaging is communicating sustainability to the consumer; brands are making good, considered choices and explaining that with official markers on their packaging.. Not only does this increase awareness of sustainability and the planet friendliness of the packaging, it also adds character and perceived value, enhancing the brands journey and voice.

We at Priory Direct have created our own brand of planet friendly packaging - Priory Elements - that focuses on communicating our sustainability story, educating end users on the eco credentials of the packaging, and raising awareness of the environmental movement. We’ve also partnered with 1% for the Planet, so as a business we are able to help protect the environment with every purchase made with us. We have partnered with 1% FTP in two capacities; we donate 1% of all sales of our Priory Elements ranges, helping make meaningful change through customers purchasing these products. And secondly, we allow all our customers to donate their loyalty reward points to charity when they order with us. It is a simple, effective way for customers to support environmental charities when purchasing their packaging essentials, and it doesn’t cost them a penny. Larger customers have the potential to make huge donations through bulk purchases, and this type of partnership is something that can be emulated throughout the industry, making monumental change.

Ultimately, connecting to your customer base through your packaging and communicating your sustainability journey through customer interaction points, explaining why it’s important to your brand, is the key to raising awareness and truly using your business as a vehicle for good.

Brands that are setting excellent examples:

Finisterre

Finisterre are a great example of a brand using customer touch points to communicate their sustainability story, and really reinforce their planet positive sentiment in all that they do; truly encapsulating authenticity in their messaging. Their Positive Impact Report 2020 shows how they are dedicated to using their business for good and defines how they are using their B Corp certification and place with the market to affect real change.

Patagonia

Similarly to Finisterre, Patagonia really sells the lifestyle rather than just their products. Their communication and messaging to their customers is transparent, authentic and educational; putting a real focus on making change and protecting our planet for future generations. The ‘Activism’ section of their website is an innovative, revolutionary way of getting their customers invested in the lifestyle and not just the products.

With the textiles industry having a larger carbon footprint than all travel combined, it’s great to see brands such as Patagonia and Finisterre taking action to reduce their impact on the environment and reduce the industries footprint.

Mayborn Group

The Mayborn Group have set themselves the target to have a climate neutral supply chain by 2030, by the end of 2022 they will have removed all single use plastics from their packaging and have a fully sustainable operation across their entire organisation, as well as appointing an internal sustainability team dedicated solely to that. They are a shining example of a company setting ambitious targets whilst fiercely making change in every aspect of their organisation.

How the Plastic Packaging Tax will help:

Plastic itself has a low carbon footprint and is actually highly recyclable, however it becomes problematic when it is not disposed of correctly and it ends up in our environment.

78 million tonnes of plastic was used in the EU in 2018 and 98% of that came from virgin plastic feedstocks, which means only 2% of plastic was from recycled materials^[4]. The Plastic Packaging Tax is a way of incentivising manufactures and businesses to use post consumer waste. Under the new tax that comes into place in April 2022, any plastics that are made from less than 30% recycled materials will be charged at £220 per tonne^[5] - this could be a huge overhead for some larger organisations that are currently using plastic made from virgin feedstocks. This tax should bring around meaningful change in business behaviour and drive investment into the infrastructure for recycling; currently recycling rates of plastic are far from ideal and the Plastic Packaging Tax should give it the push it needs to make real change.

Of the 78 million tonnes of plastic used in the EU in 2018, 32% was leaked into the environment, polluting the planet and causing extreme damage, 40% ended up in landfill, 14% was incinerated, and just 14% was collected for recycling. Only 2% of the plastic that was collected for recycling was used to create the same or similar of the original product and 8% was used to create lower-value, or other products^[6].

With most plastics used only once, and such a high percentage of it ending up polluting our environment, something has to be done to bring around change. 8 million tonnes of plastic are leaked into the ocean every year, and if that continues, there will be more plastic in the sea than fish by 2050, so the Plastic Packaging Tax brings hope for the future of plastic recycling and disposal^[6].

The expert's key takeaways:

When it comes to sustainability and protecting the planet, everyone can agree that it has to come from a place of authenticity; and brands have to genuinely want to use their business for good. But before brands can do anything, they must ask hard questions of themselves and what they are currently doing in order to be better. Telling stories of sustainability and planet protection will change consumer behaviour, and doing so in an authentic way defines brand voice, making your brand synonymous with sustainability.

What steps do you take as a business to communicate your sustainability story? Have you seen consumer habits change from efficiency or price focused to environmental focused? Has consumer demand changed your business?

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Priory Direct Affiliate Team

Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk

References & Sources

[1] - RetailX Sustainability in Retail Webinar - https://retailx.net/ecommerce-world-review/

[2] - Sophie Moule - Head of Marketing at Pi Datametrics - https://retailx.net/ecommerce-world-review/

[3] - Josh Pitman - Managing Director of Priory Direct - https://retailx.net/ecommerce-world-review/

[4] - Ellen MacArthur Foundation - 'Plastics and the Circular Economy' https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/plastics-and-the-circular-economy

[5] - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-plastic-packaging-tax/plastic-packaging-tax

[6] - Ellen MacArthur Foundation - 'Plastics and the Circular Economy' https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/plastics-and-the-circular-economy

For the first time ever, the Amazon rainforest is emitting more carbon than it is able to absorb; but why is this important?

Our rainforests are one of the biggest carbon stores on the planet, and the Amazon has previously played an important role in helping stabilize the climate by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. However, due to deforestation and forest fires, the Amazon Rainforest, which once was a carbon store, helping to slow the climate crisis, is now accelerating it.

June fires in the Amazon rainforest are at their highest level since 2007, and last year deforestation rates have surged to a 12 year high; meaning that without intervention, the statistics are only going to get worse. Forest fires produce around 3 times more CO2 than the forest is able to absorb, and with most forest fires caused deliberately to clear land, the time for action to protect our rainforests and reduce carbon emissions is now^[1].

Chris Redston, Executive Director of Rainforest Trust UK, said: “Studies have shown that halting tropical deforestation and allowing for regrowth could mitigate up to 50% of net global carbon emissions in the next 30 years ^[2] – yet rainforests are still being cut down at a rate of 70,000 acres a day. And as well as storing billions of tonnes of carbon, the world’s rainforests produce 20% of the planet’s oxygen, stabilise global weather patterns, provide habitat for thousands of endangered species and sustain the livelihoods of millions of indigenous people. In short, we can’t really live without them.^[3]”

Lowering our carbon emissions and protecting our rainforests should be at the top of everyone’s agenda; it truly is everyone’s responsibility to look after our planet. So whether you’re a business owner, or an individual looking to do your bit, there’s lots that you, and your business can do to help in the fight against climate change.

What can your business do to help?

Partner with Rainforest Trust UK

Partnering with Rainforest Trust UK gives you the opportunity to protect threatened rainforests and use your business, and customer base as a vehicle for good. Rainforest Trust UK is fighting climate change by protecting the world’s most important tropical forests, and by partnering with them, you can do your bit to protect the planet.

Chris Redston of Rainforest Trust UK goes on to say: “Safeguarding existing rainforests is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways an individual can fight climate change, as every acre safely stores over 100 tonnes of carbon that could otherwise enter the atmosphere as the greenhouse gas CO2”^[4] It really cannot be overstated how important it is that our rainforests and tropical ecosystems are protected, and just a small donation can add up to make a big difference.

We are proud partners of Rainforest Trust UK and we offer all our customers the opportunity to protect 1000m2 of threatened rainforest with every purchase over £30. It’s one small act, but since partnering with them in February 2021, thanks to our customers, we have raised enough to protect over 1.6 million square metres of threatened rainforest. And it is so simple and easy for businesses to partner with Rainforest Trust UK and make a real difference.

Vicky Wallace, Fundraising Manager at Rainforest Trust UK, said: “We are all stakeholders in protecting our planet’s most threatened tropical forests, which is why we partner with UK businesses like Priory Direct to save rainforests and protect the climate. We are always happy to work with like-minded businesses of all sizes who want to do good for the planet, so anyone wanting to make a difference should get in touch – even if you’re not sure where to start!”^[5] You can find out more information about the work that Rainforest Trust UK do here, or if you’re ready to join the movement, then email Vicky at UK@RainforestTrust.org to get started.

Reduce inbound and outbound deliveries

Road transport accounts for around one fifth of global carbon emissions, and for some companies, transportation of goods can be one of the biggest contributors to their carbon footprint. Deliveries are, of course, an essential aspect of any ecommerce or online retail business, so ensuring inbound and outbound deliveries are optimised for ultimate sustainability is a great way to do your bit to help.

Ordering your business supplies in bulk reduces the number of deliveries you require, and therefore, reduces the number of delivery vans on the road. If you have your own delivery service, switching to an electric vehicle can reduce carbon emissions by around 73%, significantly reducing your businesses carbon footprint^[6]. Alternatively, using a climate neutral courier service such as DPD climate neutral is another great way of offsetting the carbon emissions associated with the delivery of your business essentials.

You could also encourage your customers to place larger, less frequent orders with you to ensure your outbound deliveries are as planet friendly as your inbound. Communicating this message to your customer base has the potential to make a big difference; altering consumers' purchasing habits for the better. We can’t all do everything, but we can all do something, and changing the way you order business supplies, and how often, can make a real impact.

Make sustainable packaging choices and use climate neutral packaging where possible

Choosing sustainable, planet friendly packaging options for your despatches is a simple, yet effective way of reducing your impact on the environment. Purchasing packaging that is manufactured carbon neutral, or is recyclable, biodegradable or plastic free is a great way of lowering the environmental impact of your business. And communicating the eco-credentials of packaging to customers is vital to ensure that packaging is disposed of correctly and responsibly.

Our own planet friendly packaging brand, Priory Elements, focuses on telling our sustainability story to our customers by printing the packaging with easy to understand eco markers. Priory Elements is a packaging range that is sustainably sourced and responsibly sold, and by telling our eco story, we are helping lots of businesses make planet friendly packaging choices.

Packaging isn’t just a means to an end, it really can be the difference between an operation being planet friendly or not; so considering your packaging choices is one of the easiest ways your business can become more planet friendly, reduce your carbon footprint, and do good for the environment.

What can you do as an individual to help?

Drive less; use public transport, cycle or walk to work

As we have previously mentioned, transport equates to one fifth of global carbon emissions, so reducing the amount you travel would ideally be the best plan of action. But we know that travel is essential in our everyday lives, so by making small changes and more planet-friendly choices, your individual travel habits can add up to make a big environmental difference.

Driving a medium sized diesel or petrol car emits between 171g and 192g per passenger km of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, whereas using the National Rail service, carbon emissions are around 41g per passenger km - so choosing to take the train to work rather than drive, could reduce your carbon emissions by approximately 78%. Opting to car share with colleagues or friends is another great option for reducing your carbon footprint and air pollution, and choosing to walk or cycle where possible, reduces emissions even further^[6].

When the time comes to choose your next vehicle, consider purchasing an electric powered vehicle. With the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans being banned in the UK from 2030, now would be the perfect time to consider a more planet friendly vehicle^[7].

Raise awareness of the climate crisis

One of the easiest ways to do your bit to help in the climate crisis and protect our planet, is to raise awareness of it. Too many people believe that as an individual they cannot affect change by themselves, but that simple isn’t true. As we’ve said before, even the smallest actions can make a difference, so raising awareness by getting involved in events like Rainforest Trust UK’s Hug 100 Trees campaign, or posting about your planet friendly habits on social media, you’re doing your bit to aid in the fight against climate change.

There are countless environmental awareness days throughout the year, from Earth Day and World Ocean Day, to Plastic Free July, so getting involved and shouting about it to your colleagues, friends and family is an easy, simple and fun way to help protect our planet.

Consider the sustainability of the businesses and brands you use

Lots of businesses and brands are taking steps to become more planet friendly and reduce their carbon footprint, however greenwashing is still prevalent within many industries, so ensuring companies are genuine about their eco-friendly actions is a must. As a consumer, you have the power to choose authentic, genuine brands that are serious about protecting the planet and raising awareness of the environmental crisis.

By choosing brands who are doing good, you in turn, are doing your bit for the environment too. So be sure to look for businesses that are open and transparent about their sustainability journey, who offer planet friendly options wherever possible, and package and ship those planet friendly options to you in an eco conscious way. More than four in ten shoppers say they would pay more for a sustainably sourced product and 70% of shoppers say it’s important for them to buy from companies whose values align with their own, so seeking out and using environmentally conscious businesses really is a consumer led trend^[8].

At Priory Direct we truly believe in awareness, access and authenticity when it comes to sustainability and our journey to becoming as planet friendly as possible. There is always more that can be done, and we work hard every day to ensure we’re doing our bit. To find out more about what we’ve been up to so far, check out our case study.

We know that not one business, or one individual can solve the climate crisis on their own, so it’s more important than ever before that we all pull together and take small, actionable steps to do our bit to reduce carbon emissions and protect our planet. Be the change you wish to see in the world and start your eco journey today.

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Priory Direct Affiliate Team

Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk

References & Sources

[1] - The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/amazon-rainforest-now-emitting-more-co2-than-it-absorbs

[2] - Rainforest Trust UK - https://www.rainforesttrust.org/climate-action/

[3] - Rainforest Trust UK - https://www.rainforesttrust.org/5-reasons-to-stop-what-youre-doing-and-save-rainforests/

[4] - Rainforest Trust UK - https://www.rainforesttrust.org/projects/conservation-action-fund-worldwide/

[5] - Vicky Wallace, Fundraising Manager at Rainforest Trust UK

[6] - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2019

[7] - BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54981425

[8] - RetailX - Sustainability in Retail webinar - https://retailx.net/ecommerce-world-review/

Cardboard boxes are the ideal option for a great variety of packaging needs. With over 200 sizes and styles of boxes available, we thought why stop there? 

With an ever-expanding range of packaging products, we want to ensure that there is an option to suit you. 

We have 18 new sizes of single and double wall cardboard boxes added to our range - these are a perfect low-cost packaging solution, made from high-quality corrugated cardboard that offers robust product protection. 

Our single wall cardboard boxes are fit for sending and protecting a whole variety of items up to 10kg, whilst our double wall cardboard boxes can cater for products up to 25kg.

Made using eco-friendly materials, our range of cardboard boxes are fully recyclable, sustainable, plastic-free, biodegradable and compostable - Shop now and ship your products in packaging that is great for the environment. 

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Priory Direct Affiliate Team

Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk

Did you know that the majority of people come into contact with a dangerous phenol-based chemical, commonly known as BPA, pretty much every day? Bisphenols and phenols are popularly used in the paper industry as a colour developer in coatings on thermal papers, such as receipts and packaging labels. 

Research has shown small dose exposure of some phenols can lead to various heart problems such as high blood pressure and even heart attacks, and long-term exposure has been linked to multiple health effects such as prostate and breast cancer. Not only do phenol chemicals cause health issues, they are also extremely damaging to the environment as they can’t break down fully and instead result in microplastics, which are ingested by wildlife, remaining in our oceans and environment forever.

Our new Priory Elements Ecolabels are completely phenol-free and work in just the same way. Suitable for direct thermal and water-based flexography, with a high sensitivity, natural vitamin C based thermal coating that provides your labels with great, long-lasting colour and print, without the hazardous properties of BPA. 

Made from eco-friendly materials, they are FSC Mixed Credit Certified, recyclable and 100% plastic-free. 

Head on over to our help & advice centre article to find out more about our phenol-free thermal labels and read up on the damaging effects that phenol chemicals have on our health and the environment. 

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Priory Direct Affiliate Team

Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk

Now the peak season is over, and the stress of Black Friday, Christmas and January sales are behind us, it’s time to evaluate how the eCommerce industry was affected by the global Coronavirus pandemic and the associated changes to consumer behaviour. Industry experts predicted that the eCommerce retail sector would experience the largest peak season ever, with a reported 73% of consumers in the UK anticipated to purchase online - but did those statistics hold up? Was 2020 the biggest and busiest peak season to date? Let’s take a look.

As you know, Q3 is the busiest time of the year for online retailers, with consumers taking advantage of seasonal sales and incentives to purchase their Christmas shopping, and 2020 was no exception. Internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales grew from 18.3% in Q3 2019, to 27% in Q3 2020^[1]; a dramatic increase far above the standard annual increase rate that would have predicted sales to be at 20.5-22%. But why did we see this sharp increase in online sales?

There is no doubt that Covid-19 had a substantial impact on the industry and the behaviour of shoppers. Widespread restrictions that were put in place earlier in the year directed consumers to online retail as a safe and risk free way of sourcing their essential and non-essential goods. Even after some restrictions were lifted in areas in October and November, it seems shoppers still chose to shop online as a safer alternative to high street Christmas shopping.

All online retailing in December 2020 saw a 61.4% year on year growth in the UK, a huge increase if you look back over the 13 years of eCommerce online sales. Starting at just 4.2% of all retail sales in December 2007, eCommerce has come a long way to 31.3% in December 2020^[1].

However the month on month growth shows that there was a 6.2% decrease from November 2020. The slight drop in online sales could be attributed to the fact that many areas across the UK experienced lesser restrictions on non-essential shops during the mid weeks of December, meaning they had a greater chance of purchasing their goods in person on the high street. Alternatively, we could speculate that consumer habits and FOMO (fear of missing out) would have influenced shopper behaviour to purchase earlier in order to not miss out on their goods before Christmas. And the concept of FOMO is clearly evident in the gift sector of the eCommerce industry.

Reporting a year-on-year growth of 103.4% in October 2020 and a -6.7% year-on-year growth in December 2020^[2], it is safe to conclude that the buying habits of consumers have changed drastically from 2019 to 2020. People chose to get ahead of the game and purchase their festive gifts early in October, rather than leaving it to the last minute in December (as seen in 2019). Lockdown restrictions are likely to have played a part in this; causing people to purchase early and online to ensure their loved ones didn’t miss out, and those who chose to purchase in December 2020, had more opportunity to buy in person in high street stores rather than online due to the brief relaxation of restrictions in many parts of the country.

So how did other sectors within the retail industry hold up in peak season during a pandemic?

Supermarkets & Food Stores

As we’ve already discussed, covid-19 related restrictions meant that many high street retailers had to close their doors, forcing consumers towards online shopping for all their purchasing needs, be it essential or non-essential. And with many shoppers having to shield due to health complications, or reluctant to visit supermarkets in person due to the coronavirus risk, there is no surprise to see that the percentage of online sales from food based stores increased from 5.6% in November 2019 to 10.9% in November 2020^[3]. Supermarkets also benefited from the closure of the hospitality sector, meaning consumers were more likely to have an increased food budget.

Home & Garden

The homewares and household goods sector faced an incredibly large and unseasonal peak during the first lockdown of 2020 in April that decreased again in July. However, they too saw a year on year growth throughout Q3, increasing from 15.8% of total retail sales in November 2019 to 35.1% in November 2020^[3]; more time spent at home meant that consumers were more inclined to invest in their homes and gardens. It’s likely that Black Friday sales contributed to the spike in sales in November 2020, indicating that more people took advantage of the retail sales in 2020 than they did in 2019. Reporting a year-on year growth of 89.2% in December 2020^[4], the Home & Garden sector likely benefited from the closure of the hospitality and travel industries, allowing consumers to spend more of their homes to create a more comfortable and enjoyable festive period under lockdown restrictions.

Clothing & Footwear

After a tough year, the clothing and footwear sector saw an increase in online sales around the peak season, increasing from 21.1% in November 2019 to 47.5% in November 2020^[3]. With a year-on-year growth of 6.4% in November 2020^[5], the overall clothing sector managed to end the year in a better position. Aside from the usual Christmas shopping that takes place in Q3, the increase in sales could be attributed to ‘retail therapy’. With restrictions on travel, shopping, socialising and even work, there is no doubt that the general public morale was low, and online clothes and footwear shopping brought some well needed relief. 

Electricals

The electricals online retail sector saw a boom in 2020 Q3, reporting a 116.9% year-on-year growth in December^[4]. Despite the Black Friday sales in November, December 2020 still managed to produce a high growth percentage.

With over a third of UK workers being placed on furlough during 2020, resulting in lower incomes^[6], the growth in the electricals market may seem uncharacteristically high. It was reported that 51% of shoppers did not plan to decrease their spend over the festive period despite experiencing household income cuts^[7]. As discussed earlier, this could be due to consumers wanting to make home life and the Christmas period more comfortable and enjoyable during lockdown restrictions; therefore causing an incredibly high market growth at the end of the year.

It’s safe to conclude that peak 2020 was indeed the largest, peak season that the eCommerce industry has ever seen, with the coronavirus pandemic and widespread restrictions playing a large and key part in that. As we head into 2021 with many of the similar restrictions still in place, how will the eCommerce landscape be impacted in the coming months?

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted your eCommerce business? Do you expect the pandemic to continue to impact online retail as we head further into 2021? Let us know in the comments below.

References

[1] - Office for National Statistics 'Internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales'.

[2] - IMRG Capgemini 'Sales Index - November 2020'

[3] - Office for National Statistics 'Retail sales index internet sales'.

[4] - IMRG Capgemini 'Sales Index - January 2021'

[5] - IMRG Capgemini 'Sales Index - December 2020'

[6] - HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics

[7] - Internet Retailing

Looking for environmentally responsible packaging made entirely plastic-free? Then our new planet-friendly additions are perfect for you, providing excellent paper alternatives that help remove the need for single-use plastics from your supply chain. 

Naturally biodegradable, our Eco-Friendly Garment Bags are made from FSC® Certified Paper and provide weather resistant protection to your clothing products preventing damage from humidity, moisture and dust. Highly durable, these plastic-free garment bags are designed to withstand their shipping journey and are the ideal alternative to poly garment bags; giving you all the benefits of traditional garment bags, without the environmental damage.

A decorative paper void fill that offers a truly unique design - Spiro Pack Void Fill takes up 80% less storage space than crinkle shred. The contiguous cut spiral creates a no dust no mess paper void fill solution that both looks the part and plays the part in protecting your products and the planet.

Both curbside recyclable and sustainably sourced, these products are a great eco-conscious option for packaging that cares for the Earth. So why not browse our new ranges today and ditch the plastic for good?

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Priory Direct Affiliate Team

Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk

We know that keeping both goods and the planet protected is important, that’s why we’re excited to introduce the innovative and adaptable range of Flexi-Hex products, providing the ultimate sustainable packaging solutions.

Completely eco-friendly, these Flexi-Hex additions are 100% plastic free, biodegradable and recyclable, carbon neutral and sustainably sourced - great for continuing on that journey to going green.

Easy to assemble, compact, and flexible, customers can choose from a range of multiple sizes designed to benefit them and their products.

From premium bottles and cosmetic goods, to electronic items and sports boards - The Flexi-Hex design guarantees protective packaging solutions to suit a wide variety of products. 

Flexi-Hex provides a premium gifting experience that is sure to impress.

The Flexi-Hex Drum and Slender offer great protective bottle packaging solutions. Or create your own kit using the Bottle Kit Components.

Protect a variety of sized surfboards using the Flexi-Hex Boardsports packaging or opt for the Flexi-Hex Air for lightweight protection to products such as homeware and electronics or beauty and cosmetics.

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Priory Direct Affiliate Team

Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk

Today is World Book Day, a time where authors and illustrators, books and readings can be appreciated and celebrated in over 100 countries around the world. With an estimated 130 million books worldwide and 22 genres, World Book Day allows us to acknowledge the importance of reading for pleasure, and encourage access to literature that has the ability to influence lives.

Here at Priory Direct, we love reading and believe in providing the very best protection to our books. Last year, the UK saw an increase of 5.5% in book sales equating to an estimate of 202 million books being sold. With this big volume rise in book sales, we want to make sending books even easier with our range of eco-friendly Book Wraps and Eco Mailers. They provide all-round cushioned protection to a range of products, particularly your books, and can be adjusted to match the depth of your book for a precise fit.

In light of this worldwide celebration of books and reading, we are offering our customers 10% off our whole book wrap and eco mailers range when they use the code BOOK-10 on their first order with us. For existing customers, double reward points are available when purchasing any of our books wraps and eco mailers with the code WBD-DOUBLE.

For more information on choosing the right book wrap for you, please visit our Help & Advice Centre article. Take a look at our post on how to pack your books with our 6 innovative book packaging solutions.

Don’t forget, we’re running great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 7.5% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven’t already, join us today!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk 

Here at Priory Direct, we recognise the effect that eCommerce businesses, including our own, have on the environment and how carbon emissions are generated from them. It is extremely important to protect our planet and that’s why we’re taking the necessary steps to do so and helping our customers in doing so too. In light of this, we’re extremely proud to let you know about our partnership with the Rainforest Trust UK, keeping our most endangered rainforests and tropical ecosystems safe.

We currently give our customers information on how eco-friendly their packaging choices are and have created our own range of planet-friendly packaging, of which 1% of our sales are donated to environmental causes.

However, we felt we could do more - from now on, our customers will have the opportunity to protect threatened rainforests every time they place an order over £30, at no extra cost. We offer our customers a free gift on their order as a thank you, which can then be given to the Rainforest Trust UK, protecting 1000m2 of rainforest.

The world’s rainforests are crucial for safely storing billions of tonnes of carbon and responsible for the protection and survival of our planet. Unfortunately, the equivalent of 50 football pitches of tropical rainforest are eradicated every minute, releasing carbon into the atmosphere and accelerating climate change further.

It is imperative that we take action - so when customers choose to give their free gift to the Rainforest Trust, they are safely storing more than 25 tonnes of carbon through saving 1000m2 of trees, without costing them a penny.

We are helping our customers to help the planet and make a change to the world we can truly be proud to call our home.

For more information about our partnership with the Rainforest Trust UK, visit our help & advice centre article here.

Don't forget, we're running great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 7.5% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk | Chloe Winsper | cjw@priorydirect.co.uk 

Today - the 4th February -  is World Cancer Day, an important day for us all to recognise the vital work cancer charities are doing for our futures.

I’m sure that nobody needs reminding of the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on people and businesses across the country and indeed, the world. And the charity sector has been one of the worst affected. The closure of trading shops, cancellation of fundraising events, and reduced supporter fundraising due to over a third of the UK workforce being on reduced incomes, means that this year alone, Cancer Research UK are expecting a drop in fundraising income of £160m which will rise to £300m over the next 3 years. Only able to fund half as many scientists as usual, Cancer Research UK’s goal to improve cancer survival rate is in jeopardy.

On World Cancer Day 2021 it is key, now more than ever, to raise awareness of this essential cause and their funding deficit. The reduction in funding has the potential to prevent 3.7 million lives being saved every year, so the time to help most definitely is now; and we are determined to drive action.

We’ve taken a look at what can be done by businesses and online eCommerce platforms to help provide solutions to the charity sector funding crisis. With online retail sales booming over the last 12 months, increasing by over 46% in 2020 compared with 2019, and responsible for £2,120,700,000 revenue on average per week, the answer could be in eCommerce.

Since the pandemic hit in March last year, if all online retailers donated just 1% of online revenue to the charity sector, they would have received on average between £15.2m and £32.6m every single week. That means that online retailers alone could solve this problem in just 5 weeks.

Here at Priory Direct we give our customers the opportunity to donate 1% of their spend to one of our four charity partners at no added expense to themselves through our Charity Rewards program. Since November 2020 we have raised over £2,000 for Cancer Research UK and today, on World Cancer Day, we will be doubling all reward points donated to the charity. Our customers choosing to donate their reward points rather than redeem as savings for themselves, means that we can help scientists and researchers get one step closer to finding the cure.

For more information about how businesses can help alleviate the funding deficit for the charity sector and how we’re offering a lifeline to local and national charities, read the full story here.

Don't forget, we're running great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 7.5% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

Here at Priory Direct our mission is to reduce the impact of ecommerce on the planet and also use our business as a vehicle for good. As well as focusing on sustainable, eco-friendly packaging and minimising environmental damage, we wanted to give our customers the opportunity to donate and give back to charitable causes; that’s why we’ve created the Priory Direct Charity Support Program.

Every order that is placed with us, we give 1% back to the customer in the form of reward points which are redeemable against future orders; customers now have the option to donate the monetary value of those reward points to their chosen charity. We have partnered with four wonderful charities to ensure that we - are our customers - are helping to make a real difference.

Our charity partners are:

• Cancer Research UK - We pioneer research to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. We fund scientists, doctors, and nurses to help beat cancer sooner.

• Save The Children - In the UK and around the world, we make sure children are safe and healthy. We support them to learn, grow and become who they want to be.

• 1% For The Planet - We fund forces for environmental good, supporting diverse environmental organisations to have a bigger and better impact; we can do more together than we can alone

• Heart of Kent Hospice - We make every day precious at the most difficult of times by providing exceptional care to people living with a terminal illness in Maidstone, Tonbridge, Malling and surrounding areas.

Donating is simple; once customers have put their items in the basket and gone through to the checkout, they will be presented with the option of donating their reward points to one of our charity partners. Once making that selection, we handle the rest from there, ensuring customers well earned points are correctly assigned and donated. Giving to charity has never been easier and never felt so good!

Don't forget, we're running great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 7.5% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

Peak season has arrived and sales via online ecommerce retailers are increasing, so we want to ensure that you’re getting the most out of us and achieving the highest commission rate with every purchase. With the holiday season approaching and tighter Covid-19 restrictions coming into place, more and more people are turning to online shopping - particularly first timers.

We have a great range of packaging products that are perfect for attracting new customers and first time purchases; and we offer a higher commission rate - 7.5% - for first time customers coming through our Awin channel. So make sure you’re doing everything you can to achieve that high commission rate with our product promotions and offer codes.

ColomPac Book Wraps

ColomPac CP020 Book Wraps are the perfect packaging solution for sending a wide range of goods. Featuring pre-creased depth grooves to ensure a snug secure fit around your items, and peel and seal strips for speedy packing and despatch, these wraparound mailers are the ideal efficiency increasing product. Constructed from robust  cardboard with reinforced edges and strong corners, these book wraps minimise postage costs while providing maximum security and reducing your impact on the environment. Enjoy 10% off CP020 book wraps with the code COLOMPACWRAP valid until 31st December 2020.

Postal Tubes

Perfect for sending, storing and protecting documents, posters, prints or any other kind of rolled paper, postal tubes are a versatile, reliable packaging solution. Available in narrow, standard, wide, triangular and trapezium style, we have a postal tube product suitable for your every need. Recyclable, biodegradable and made from sustainable sources, postal tubes are an excellent eco-friendly choice that are perfect for all kinds of despatch operations.

Sealed Air Mail Lite Bags

Sealed Air Mail Lite bags are a great addition to any pack and despatch operation, be it large or small. Ideal for sending a wide range of goods, these lightweight bags keep postal costs down whilst the aircap bubble interior offers ultimate protection for your items. Designed with recycling in mind, the Sealed Air Mail Lites are easy to separate, meaning recycling the inner bubble bag and outer paper has never been easier. Available in 10 popular sizes, we have a  Mail Lite to suit your requirements. Enjoy 5% off Sealed Air Mail Lite bags with the code MAILLITE-5 valid until 31st December 2020.

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer same day despatch before 5pm, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

We’ve got your packaging essentials all boxed up.

When it comes to packaging, sometimes simple is best; and you can’t go wrong with a cardboard box. Versatile and robust, this packaging classic is ideal for protecting a wide range of goods in transit or during storage. But finding the perfect size can sometimes be tricky, that’s why we’ve added an additional 10 sizes to our offering – ensuring you find the perfect packing carton that ticks all your boxes.

Whether you need single wall for everyday despatches, or double wall for added protection, our range of standard packing boxes has everything you need. As well as being an efficient packaging solution, our cardboard boxes are also super eco-friendly. Made from sustainably sourced materials, they are biodegradable, recyclable, compostable and plastic free; cardboard really is king.

To find the perfect cardboard box for you, check out our range today, and be sure to use our Search By Size feature to make choosing the ideal size even easier.

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 7.5% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch
Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

Ditching the plastic and going green has never been easier; say hello to our brand new Grass Paper Mailing Bags!

Yes, that’s right, these paper mailing bags are made entirely from grass; a renewable, fast-growing material that is locally sourced, natural, and planet-friendly. Not only are our grass paper mailers 100% compostable, 100% recyclable, biodegradable and plastic free, the manufacturing process uses significantly less water and energy than that of standard paper, totalling a 75% decrease in Co2 emissions; making them the most eco-friendly packaging solution on the market.

With the same life-span and features of the popular kraft paper mailing bags, but with more eco-credentials, our grass mailers are an excellent planet-friendly packaging choice for pack and despatch operations. Featuring a strong block bottom and gusseted sides to perfectly package all your bulky, voluminous, non-fragile goods as well as an easy to use peel and seal adhesive strip for fastpacking, these grass paper mailing bags are a reliable solution that ticks all the eco-friendly boxes. Made carbon neutrally from sustainable materials, our gass mailers are a 5/5 on our eco score; the ultimate planet-friendly packaging choice. 

Can you believe grass can do all that? Stocked in 4 popular sizes that are perfect for a variety of needs, be sure to check them out today and see how they can take your eco-friendly operation to the next level.

Make The Swap Today

You may think that you need to totally overhaul your whole operation, but even the smallest of changes can have the largest effect. If you need help making the switch to more eco-friendly products, or if you need advice about what kind of eco-packaging is right for you, then head over to our Eco-Friendly Packaging Page and Help & Advice Centre for all the latest products and articles.

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

It's that time of year again where new car registrations are being released and everyone wants to get their hands on a brand-spanking-new '20' number plate.

The increase in sales isn't the only good news if you sell number plates; we've got the perfect product which ensures they're exceptionally well protected and delivered safely.

Number plate sized Bubble Lined Bags are specifically designed for securely sending number plates; made with an extra strength oyster kraft paper outer for all-round reinforced protection and better puncture and tear resistance. The bubble wrap interior has a high slip coating to make packing quick, easy, and snag-free to keep your despatch operation running smoothly.

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=16865&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.priorydirect.co.uk%2Fplus-bubble-lined-bag-size-number-plate-blb-no-plate.html

Don't forget to add in your affiliate ID!

We offer mix and match savings across our full range of 2200 packaging products, same day despatch before 5pm and free delivery on orders over £250. We're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

Today marks the celebration of Global Recycling Day, a day to raise awareness and encourage action for the protection of our environment through recycling. But how much do you know about recycling plastics? Do you know your PET from your HDPE or PP from PS? Well, wonder no more, we have put together this infographic to give you all the information you need to know about recycling symbols and the types of plastic that can be recycled.

So now you know your symbols and facts about recycling, it’s time to start making a change. Shop all our Recyclable packaging products and make a difference today.

If you aren’t sure which type of eco-friendly packaging is right for you and your operation, check out our recyclable packaging guide and make the swap now.

If you have any questions or need any help at all, please do get in touch.

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

When it comes to packaging, we are all striving to find eco-friendly, plastic-free alternatives that continue to offer the best protection for our goods without compromising on quality. And as your packaging supplier of choice we want to make sure we are doing all we can to ensure you are using the most environmentally friendly, sustainable packaging possible.  That’s why we are continually adding to our ranges and stocking new, innovative packaging solutions that help reduce the impact that packaging has on the environment and work towards eradicating plastics for a greener future.

Priory Elements Eco Padded Envelopes™

The ideal eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic lined bags, our Priory Elements Eco Padded Envelopes are made entirely of paper and glue - no plastic included! Made from recycled materials, these paper padded bags are recyclable, biodegradable, plastic free and compostable, making them the ultimate eco postal packaging solution. 

Featuring a honeycomb-effect inner lining, these bags offer an excellent level of protection to your goods, ensuring they arrive safely with your customers, whilst the kraft paper outer creates a rustic, eco-friendly finish - helping you convey your eco message. Stocked in 6 popular sizes, shop the range today and pack your way to a plastic-free future.

Priory Elements Ecolopes™

Reduce your impact on the environment by sending your goods in our plastic-free, recyclable, biodegradable fluted envelopes. Made completely from paper and glue, these envelopes feature a corrugated inner material that offers just the right amount of protection to non-fragile goods and are lightweight enough to keep postal costs to a minimum. Stocked in 6 versatile, popular sizes, our Ecolopes are the ideal plastic-free alternative to traditional plastic lined bags. Check out the range today!

Make The Swap Today

You may think that you need to totally overhaul your whole operation, but even the smallest of changes can have the largest effect. By simply swapping your postal packaging to one of our plastic-free alternatives, you are working towards eliminating your businesses’ plastic consumption and helping to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our environment. See what simple swaps your business can make and find out more about how you can go plastic-free.

Don't forget, we're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

ColomPac packaging is renowned for creating innovative, efficiency-focused, premium packing solutions that are used by thousands of eCommerce businesses and despatch operations.

As the UK’s leading ColomPac service partner, we are proud to offer an extensive range of ColomPac packaging, from Instant Bottom Boxes and Extra Strong Book Wraps to Trapezium Postal Tubes and Printer Boxes.
Whatever your packing dilemma, ColomPac has the solution.

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=16865&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.priorydirect.co.uk%252Fcolompac%5D%5D

Don't forget to add in your affiliate ID!

We offer mix and match savings across the whole ColomPac range, same day despatch before 5pm and free delivery on orders over £250. We're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

We're offering a free tape gun with your first 36 roll box of Priory Elements Eco Tape with the code ECOTAPE. Made from paper, this eco-friendly packing tape is fully recyclable, biodegradable, made from sustainable sources, and is completely plastic free.

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=16865&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.priorydirect.co.uk%252Fpriory-elements-paper-packing-tape-peppt.html%5D%5D

Don't forget to insert your affiliate ID!

We're running other great promotions exclusively on our affiliate programme, offer 10% commission for new customers, as well as free next day delivery on orders over £250 - if you haven't already, join us today!

If you need any help at all then please get in touch

Lauren Churcher | lrc@priorydirect.co.uk | Samantha Holmes | sgh@priorydirect.co.uk

With every piece of plastic ever made still existing in some form, it's no wonder that more and more people and businesses are trying to eliminate unnecessary plastic as a starter, and eventually eradicate single-use plastic altogether. We can't all do everything, but we can all do something, so we've compiled our very best advice for how you can embrace eco, refuse single-use, and make your plastic free pledge – take a look at six of our top packaging picks:

PAPER MAILING BAGS

Out with the poly, in with the paper. If you're used to sending pre-packaged goods or non-fragile items in polythene mailers, why not swap to a paper alternative? Delivering on all of the same benefits of poly mailers but without the eco guilt, paper mailing bags are also recyclable and biodegradable unlike their plastic equivalents. With 79% of all plastic ending in either landfills or the natural world, making this simple packaging swap for your despatches would dramatically reduce the impact your business has on the environment.

CARDBOARD BOXES

Cardboard Boxes are a true packaging classic; one of, if not the most, common form of packaging there is. A simple, low-cost solution which works for practically every business, is plastic free, and widely recognised by people everywhere to be easily recyclable. Cardboard as a material is incredibly versatile; not only recyclable, but biodegradable too, you or your customer can reuse cardboard boxes time and time again, and they're even made from 75% recycled materials.

PAPER TAPE

Don't ruin your plastic free cardboard boxes by sticking a non-recyclable plastic packing tape to it – go for a paper adhesive instead! Paper tape is an easy eco-friendly swap which can easily be recycled and biodegraded in one go along you’re your cardboard packaging. Even stronger than regular packing tape, far more secure, and way more planet friendly, paper tape is a super simple, great value swap which delivers the best quality time and time again.

CARDBOARD ENVELOPES

If you need reliable, reinforced protection for your items and you find yourself typically reaching for classic plastic bubble wrap lined padded envelopes, give cardboard envelopes a go. Made from extra strength corrugated cardboard to provide the very best protection, these robust envelopes are plastic free, recyclable, biodegradable, and made from FSC approved sources – an exceptionally eco-friendly and high-quality product which we guarantee won't compromise on the protective perks of plastic packaging and will be an excellent sustainable swap for your business and your customers.

JIFFY GREEN

Another alternative to using Bubble Lined Bags or wrapping products in bubble wrap before going in their outer packaging, are the mighty Jiffy Green padded bags. Swapping the plastic bubble wrap interior for a fully recycled paper fibre lining, Jiffy Green bags deliver the same, if not better, level of protection compared to standard padded envelopes, are not only simple to recycle, but biodegradable and even compostable too. A smart swap which not only eliminates your business' plastic consumption, but actually enhances the environment too.

CORRUGATED CARDBOARD ROLLS

Whether you're just starting out on your eco-friendly journey or looking to improve individual aspects of your operation, we’re confident we have the products and the expertise to help you. As a business we have made a commitment to reduce our impact, and the impact of our industry, on the environment so you can be proud in the knowledge that your packaging and eCommerce supplies are manufactured and delivered in the most eco-friendly way possible.

ASK THE EXPERTS

We hope this has given you all the information you could need to know about going plastic free with your packaging, and probably a little bit more too. We pride ourselves on our service and sharing our knowledge wherever possible, so if you have any questions then please visit us at www.priorydirect.co.uk, speak to us on live chat, give us a call on 01622 580100, or use our Contact page.
eCommerce operations are our speciality and we can advise on all aspects of despatch to assist you in perfecting your process, so please get in touch - we'll be happy to help.