August Newsletter

Welcome to the August edition of our new Priory Direct Newsletter! This month, we're diving deep into the heart of sustainable packaging, unboxing the stories behind our products, and celebrating the positive impact we're making together.

Get ready to unwrap a world of inspiration, innovation, and positive change. From unboxing experiences that leave you delighted, to B Corps that are transforming industries, we're here to share stories that matter. Join us on this journey to explore the heroes of sustainable packaging, the trailblazers in sustainability, and the exciting events that connect us all.

This edition will feature:

• Eco Spotlight -Our monthly content round up all about LCAs and why they are important.
• Packaging Heroes - Embracing sustainability with Bamboo Clothing.
• Proud to be B - B Corp of the Month -Champion of change, Grain Sustainability, helping us and others on their B Corp journey.
• Brighten your day - find out how scientists could use AI to identify different species in water.
• Join the conversation - Sustainability Live London 2023 - 6-7th September & Great British Beach Clean - 15-24th September.
• Offer of the month - check out your monthly exclusive savings

Eco Spotlight

This month, we're shedding light on Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and their role in understanding the environmental impact of packaging. LCAs empower us to make informed decisions by considering a product's entire lifecycle, from production to disposal. They help us see beyond the surface, and quantify factors like resource usage, emissions, and waste - LCAs guide us towards choices that minimize harm to our planet. 

Eutrophication Potential:
Eutrophication potential refers to the measure of a substance's potential to cause excessive nutrient enrichment in water bodies, leading to an overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants. This can result in oxygen depletion, harming aquatic life and disrupting ecosystems.

Acidification Potential:
Acidification potential quantifies the ability of a substance to contribute to the acidification of the environment, particularly soils and water bodies. It assesses the potential impact of emissions that lead to increased acidity, which can harm aquatic life, soil health, and ecosystems.

Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential:
Photochemical ozone creation potential evaluates a substance's potential to contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone through complex chemical reactions involving sunlight, pollutants, and volatile organic compounds. Ground-level ozone is a major component of smog and can have adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Global Warming Potential:
Global warming potential (GWP) measures the capacity of a substance to trap heat in the atmosphere over a specified time frame, usually 20, 100, or 500 years. It quantifies a substance's impact on the greenhouse effect and climate change relative to carbon dioxide (CO2), which is assigned a GWP of 1. Higher GWP values indicate greater warming potential.

Did you know...

Ever wondered which packaging is greener? We conducted an LCA comparing paper mailing bags and poly mailers across four key environmental assessment areas: Eutrophication potential, acidification potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, and global warming potential.

Spoiler alert: Paper mailing bags emerge as the winners, boasting better scores in resource usage, emissions, and more.

Packaging Heroes

Bamboo Clothing stands as a trailblazing sustainable fashion brand, harnessing the remarkable versatility and inherent eco-friendliness of bamboo to craft premium-quality clothing that transcends mere fashion. With a commitment to both style and sustainability, Bamboo Clothing has emerged as a beacon of conscious consumerism, offering a greener alternative to conventional apparel choices.

Going beyond their dedication to sustainable textiles, Bamboo Clothing demonstrated true leadership by taking an audacious step against the prevailing tide of single-use plastic packaging that has dominated the apparel industry. Fueled by a desire to align their brand ethos with a more responsible approach, they embarked on a transformative journey that would redefine industry norms.

In a profound testament to their environmental stewardship, Bamboo Clothing opted to transition from traditional plastic packaging to the eco-forward Priory Elements Paper Mailing Bags. This pivot showcased their unwavering commitment to sustainability and their bold willingness to lead by example in championing eco-conscious packaging solutions.

By adopting Priory Elements Paper Mailing Bags, Bamboo Clothing illuminated a path that others can follow in the pursuit of greener practices. This conscientious choice not only echoes their values but also resonates with a growing community of individuals who seek fashion that aligns with their environmental beliefs. As Bamboo Clothing continues to blend fashion and responsibility, they inspire a movement towards a more harmonious relationship between style, nature, and conscious consumer choices.

B Corp of the month – Proud to be B

Grain Sustainability are a sustainability consultancy on a mission to empower businesses to become advocates for both humanity and the planet. They helped us in our journey to becoming a B Corp to become advocates for positive change in our industry and beyond.

The array of services Grain provides, ranging from net zero consultancy to ESG advisory and sustainability communications, demonstrates their comprehensive approach to sustainability. By offering a holistic toolkit, they assist organizations like us in assessing their environmental impact, crafting effective sustainability strategies, and seamlessly integrating these strategies into day-to-day operations.

Brighten your day

In the vast and mysterious realm of the oceans, a new symphony is being composed, not by instruments, but by the sounds of marine life. Scientists and researchers are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and a remarkable database of aquatic sounds to unravel the secrets hidden beneath the waves. This exciting blend of technology and marine biology is offering insights into the underwater world that were once unimaginable.

1. Soundscapes of Marine Biodiversity

Imagine identifying different marine species not just by sight, but by their distinct sounds. The underwater realm is alive with a cacophony of clicks, whistles, and calls, each unique to a particular species. With advancements in AI and machine learning, scientists are developing algorithms that can distinguish and catalogue these sounds. This auditory exploration opens doors to understanding the biodiversity of our oceans in ways we never thought possible.

2. Following the Trails of Marine Migration

Tracking the movement of marine life is no longer confined to the realm of fiction. By analysing the patterns of sound emissions and reception, researchers can create detailed maps of marine species' migrations. This knowledge goes beyond merely observing their movements; it helps us comprehend how populations are changing over time and highlights areas where marine life faces threats. By identifying these danger zones, we can take steps to protect and conserve marine ecosystems.

3. The Treasure Map of Biodiversity Hotspots

Every nook and cranny of the ocean holds secrets of biodiversity waiting to be unveiled. By analyzing the variety and intensity of sounds in different regions, scientists can pinpoint areas of high biodiversity. This invaluable information serves as a treasure map for conservation efforts, allowing us to prioritize the protection of crucial marine ecosystems. From bustling coral reefs to serene seagrass meadows, these areas can now be safeguarded for generations to come.

4. Eavesdropping on the Health of the Seas

As climate change and human activity reshape our planet, marine ecosystems face unprecedented challenges. AI-powered acoustic monitoring allows us to eavesdrop on the health of our oceans. By studying shifts in the soundscape, researchers can detect early signs of stress caused by factors like warming waters and pollution. This real-time data equips us with the knowledge needed to take action and mitigate the effects of environmental changes on marine life.

Offer of the Month

Join the Conversation

Interested in getting involved in some sustainability awareness this coming month? Check out these two events:

Sustainability Live London - 6-7th September

Great British Beach Clean - 15-24th September

Let's talk

Want to feature in our next newsletter or have any sustainability stories you wolud like to share with us? Let's chat - we'd love to hear your thoughts and if you have any questions we're happy to help.