It’s a topic none of us can ignore and, for the beauty industry more than others, this problem is a particularly pertinent one, with a recent study reporting 70% of waste from the beauty industry is caused by packaging.
In an industry where luxurious – and, yes, often excessive – packaging and beautifully crafted bottles are what helps a brand stand out from the crowd, we have to ask ourselves what sustainability really means to us and what we can do to make a difference.
Today, we are, thankfully, evermore conscious of this crisis and much creativity and innovation is taking place in our industry that enables us to produce solutions… something we, at Chämpo, have wholly embraced from day one.
From day one, we set off with the right intentions, adopting a low waste model. The decisions she made about our formulas, bottles, packaging and distribution were ever conscious of the responsibility each and every one of us has towards our environment. Yes, the plastic crisis is on a global scale, but if we all play our small part, then it’s a positive step in the right direction.
Beyond packaging
Aside from the vessels that hold our precious formulas, a primary consideration of ours was the very considerable matter of environmentally unfriendly ingredients. Yes, wastewater passes through treatment plants, but ingredients such as synthetic fragrances, surfactants and silicones are hard to remove entirely and therefore enter – and pollute – our seas. Thankfully, we have never and will never use such ingredients in our formulas.
Chämpo formulas are 98% natural, cruelty-free, vegan and GMO free (read more on what’s Inside our Formulas). In addition to this, we aim to source sustainable ingredients. The Sandalwood essential oil used in our Vata blend is sustainably sourced from Australia (rather than from India), the Himalayan Jatamansi essential oil in our Pitta blend is from an ethically wild-crafted and sustainable source, and the Turmeric Root Extract in our Kapha blend is also from a sustainable source.
Alongside this, we proudly and purposefully craft formulas that are especially concentrated (much more so than other haircare brands today – a subject we discuss in this journal article). We have always communicated that a little of our formulas goes a long way, and your feedback since launching earlier this year has confirmed this...
“I’ve been using Pitta for several months now and absolutely love it!
A bottle lasts a long time as you only need a small amount.
I would definitely recommend it.”
Pauline Kennedy on Facebook
The average Chämpo customer is using half – if not less than half – the amount of formula they were using previously, yet enjoying superior results. Feedback states our bottles last almost three months… meaning customers use just four bottles of shampoo per year, in comparison to the 12 they were previously. Less waste, more progress and more value. Everybody wins.
The business model we consciously chose to adopt is also, perhaps surprisingly, sustainable. Deciding to retail to you directly, avoid physical stores and remove any third parties considerably lowers our environmental footprint (while also, rather conveniently, lowering our costs, reducing our price point and thus saving you money). More progress!
Positive packaging
Cardboard is, as we all know, entirely recyclable. Though if brands continue to use new cardboard, rather than recycled cardboard, for their packaging, then this only adds to our planet’s sustainability problems.
The outer packaging that your Chämpo products arrive in are made from 80% recycled cardboard. If you receive a leaflet inside the box, it’s printed on FSC certified paper. Those of you visiting our pop-ups or meeting the team at events receive products inside a Fairtrade, biodegradable and recyclable cotton bag.
Onto our bottles. Our full-size 260ml shampoo and conditioner bottles are made of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). We chose this material specifically because of its strength, thermo-stability, lightweight, shatter-resistant and recyclable qualities. With regards to the caps, we operate a return-to-recycle scheme where we clean and re-use all caps, so simply separate them from the bottles and please post them back to us at:
SW Group Logistics,
Unit A, Chelworth Industrial Estate,
Chelworth Road,
Swindon,
Wiltshire
SN6 6HE
Our 50ml discovery size tubes are made of a mix of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), meaning they’re lightweight yet strong, waterproof and weather resistant – as well as, of course, recyclable. The caps on our ‘little ones’ are made of Polypropylene (PP), which is again recyclable.
In summary, the debate around sustainability – while not at all new – is very much in its infancy. More research uncovers more information and innovation each day. We know we’re not perfect, but we promise to continue limiting waste and are committed to doing all we can to avoid negatively impact our planet… and, hopefully one day, we’ll positively impact it. We’ll keep you posted.
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