Packaging is necessary for every company; we can’t escape it.  But we should consider the environmental impact of packaging and how we can do it better. 

At Celtic Wind, we are continually trying to improve our practices and systems to benefit the environment and to work towards a sustainable future.  No one is perfect, but there are some things we can try get right, starting with our packaging.   

Something especially important to us as a company is supporting local Irish businesses.  As an Irish company, we understand the value of this.  We source the products and services we require in Ireland, buying from Irish businesses and stores.  Our packaging suppliers are based in Co. Louth and Cork.  We also try to minimise the number of suppliers we use, so we find a supplier that stocks the majority of the goods we need, instead of having multiple suppliers.  We order in bulk, minimising the number of orders processed per year.  The advantages of these actions combined results in reduced transportation.  Less transportation reduces our overall carbon footprint, benefiting the environment and carbon emissions.

At Celtic Wind, we use eco-friendly, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging, to lower the impact on the environment and to build customers confidence in purchasing our products.

Outer Packaging

A small note on outer packaging.  You will probably notice we don't have outer boxes for our range of CBD Hemp oils, as you will see with competitors.  Some people enjoy an outer box for additional information, but since day one, we have refused to have outer boxes as we have always had sustainability and the environment at the forefront of everything we do.  We wanted to reduce the amount of waste with our products, so we decided to eliminate boxes from our oils/capsules.  Yes, we have outer boxes for our skincare, but they are fully recyclable.  We try our best to get things right here at Celtic Wind, and with our high-quality Miron glass bottles, there is no need for outer boxes for our oils.  Miron glass is a unique biophotonic glass that protects natural products from light degradation.  Miron glass increases the shelf life of our oil as it shields the oil from light degradation, protecting its potency and ensuring it lasts for you to enjoy.

Envelopes

Our envelope is made from 60% recyclable material.  We use small, medium, and large envelopes to suit different size orders.  Using the correct sized envelope reduces the requirement for additional packaging and secures the product to prevent damage in transit.  The right sized packaging results in less waste and lowered carbon footprint.

How to dispose:  As you can see in the below photo, there is a step-by-step guide on how to recycle our envelopes detailed on the back.  Simply separate/pull apart the envelope and remove bubble wrap within.  Unfortunately, the bubble wrap is not recyclable which protects the products from damage.  It is disposed in the general waste bin.  The envelope can be recycled. 

Cardboard Boxes

Like our envelopes, we have varying sizes of cardboard boxes to suit orders of all quantities.  We use small, medium, and large boxes.  Using the right sized packaging means the items fit snugly, resulting in less void fill and less movement in transit.   In turn, this reduces shipping costs, emissions and decreases our carbon footprint.

With the right sized box utilised, transport efficiency increases as more packages can be loaded onto a single vehicle.  This reduces the number of vehicles required for deliveries, lowering fuel costs and carbon emissions. 

How to dispose: Firstly, remove outer labels and tape.  Then easily dismantle the cardboard box and place it in the recycling bin (or reuse it yourself).  Ensure cardboard does not get wet, as wet cardboard cannot be recycled.  Outer labels can be recycled or shredded for privacy purposes.  Read more to learn about our eco-tape.

Eco-Tape

We use 100% recyclable eco-tape for our packages, making it easier to dispose as you don’t need to remove it from packaging - it can all be recycled together.   Much more efficient and beneficial for the environment than using regular Sellotape! Every little helps.

Inner Packaging/Void Fill

Eco-wrap

Eco-wrap is a protective packaging material with a unique honeycomb design.  It replaces plastic products such as bubble wrap.  Bubble wrap cannot be recycled, but eco-wrap is 100% natural paper, that is fully recyclable and compostable.

Eco-wrap pads products, protecting them from damage, and has multiple uses as it tears easily into different sizes.  It is eco-friendly as it is reusable, compostable, and recyclable. 

How to dispose: You can reuse eco-wrap for your own purposes or recycle it in your general recycling bin. Alternatively, you can put it in your compost bin as it is compostable.

Biofil Loose Fill

Biofil loose fill replaces normal polystyrene foam chips, which are non-recyclable.  Loose fill is used to cushion and protect items in a box or envelope when required. 

Biofil is economical, lightweight and 100% biodegradable. These foam chips are starch based, meaning they can biodegrade naturally.  They are more cost effective than polystyrene loose fill products and massively reduce the impact of waste on the environment.

Using the right sized envelopes and boxes reduces the need for loose fill, but sometimes it is required for extra protection.  It is nice knowing the environment isn’t paying the price for this as our loose fill can be disposed of consciously and guilt-free. 

How to dispose: As this product is 100% biodegradable, you can dispose of this in your food waste bin. Biodegradable materials easily break down and decompose quickly without releasing toxic substances into the surrounding environment.

Kraft Paper 

Kraft paper is a recycled, void filling paper which provides extra protection to larger boxes, where loose fill would not be adequate.  For larger orders, we use kraft paper to replace loose fill as kraft paper is bulky and fills more space.  We mindfully try to reduce packaging where possible and use the most suitable packaging material depending on the situation.

Kraft paper is 100% recycled paper, and it is eco-friendly.  It is perfect for filling and padding boxes.

How to dispose: Re-use for your own purposes or recycle…simple!

Conclusion

Where possible, we re-use packaging (void fill) that we receive from suppliers instead of disposing of it.  Wherever we can, we apply ‘reduce, re-use and recycle’.   Eco-friendly packaging is beneficial for the planet as its versatility means it can be re-used or disposed of correctly without harming the environment, it reduces the use of harmful plastics and overall, it reduces the impact on the environment by decreasing our carbon footprint. 

We love using eco-friendly materials in our packaging process, hopefully it improves your experience unboxing our products!