Packaging

After researching the environmental impact of alternative packaging options, The Beauty Bazaar has decided to use LDPE mailing bags which are partially recyclable and these are printed using environmentally friendly water-based inks, along with cardboard boxes, shredded paper, biodegradable corn chips and recycled tissue paper dyed using acid-free inks.

There are fully biodegradable Jiffy Green bags but these are quite costly and we have to weigh up costs as a small company versus our environmental footprint.

We did consider the use of degradable polythene. However, there are issues with these bags potentially being mixed with LDPE recycling and in extreme case (e.g. the manufacture of motorway crash barriers) there are dangers in such mixed recycling where the resultant structure could be weakened. We also have been unable to find evidence that degradable bags actually disperse into harmless biological material despite enquiries made of the suppliers of these bags into this matter, and there is an absence of independent research.

All the packing "chips" we use are manufactured from a non-toxic cellulose substance and will simply dissolve on contact with water. These can happily be added to the compost heap or simply dissolved in the sink at home. Just add a little water, stand back and watch and don't forget to call the kids. They love watching the chips disintegrate.

Please note that any other types of non-biodegradable packaging that we may use – bubble wrap, packaging pillows, polystyrene chips – are all re-used materials. We do not purchase any of these types of packaging.

Should you have any questions or comments on our packaging policy, feel free to e-mail us at customerservices@beautybazaar.co.uk- we will continue to monitor this important area and ensure that we minimise our environmental impact as a company. Your views and input would be welcome.

An update on Air miles

Although we pay a lot of attention to the air miles used to produce individual products, very little attention is generally given to packaging. We ensure that our packaging is sourced from local manufacturers where possible.