In 2023 New Balance commissioned Better Packaging Co. to make customised POLLAST!C Mailers for their eCommerce apparel orders and we're thrilled that our collab has been highlighted in their latest global Sustainability and Impact Report. This report details the strides New Balance has made in reducing their environmental footprint.
The Journey to Sustainability
In 2023, New Balance set out to find packaging alternatives that aligned with their sustainability and environmental goals. Recognising the environmental harm caused by traditional packaging, which often consists of virgin plastics; they launched a pilot program focused on testing more eco-friendly mailers for apparel orders.
We became a partner in this pilot, offering innovative POLLAST!C mailers designed to replace virgin plastic with recycled Ocean Bound Plastic waste rescued from SE Asian coastal communities.
Our POLLAST!C Mailers are not only more environmentally friendly but also embody the quality and durability that customers expect from a brand like New Balance. This collaboration demonstrated how businesses can drive change by embracing sustainable alternatives without having to alter internal processes or systems.
(🔍 Spot us on page 55!)
Why Impact Reports Matter
What exactly is an impact report, and why is it increasingly becoming important for businesses like New Balance to create and share them? An impact report is a comprehensive document that outlines a company’s environmental, social, and economic impact over a specific period. Impact reports should be about transparency. They should go beyond just financial results and even the 'triple bottom line' to acknowledging how a company’s operations affect the planet, people, and communities ... and importantly, what the company is doing to improve that impact. As we always says, sustainability is a journey and an Impact Report is about letting stakeholders know where a company is on that journey and where it's going.
Impact reports are key for several reasons:
- Transparency: By publicly sharing their impact (positive and negative!), companies build trust with consumers, investors, and stakeholders who are increasingly looking for brands that align with their values.
- Accountability: Impact reports provide a platform for businesses to assess their progress toward sustainability goals, identify areas for improvement, and hold themselves accountable for their environmental footprint.
- Driving Change: By tracking and reporting their impact, companies can inspire others to take similar steps, creating a ripple effect that drives positive change across industries.
For New Balance, releasing this Sustainability and Impact Report is a clear indication of their commitment to transparency and a better future. It shows that they’re not just talking about sustainability but taking measurable steps to make it a reality.
Championing Sustainability and Transparency
Transparency is key to creating truly more sustainable outcomes. It is key to avoiding greenwashing and for improving accountability. Our commitment goes beyond providing eco-friendly packaging solutions; it’s about being part of a movement that values honesty, accountability, and real change.
By choosing to track, measure, and report their environmental impact, New Balance sets an example for other brands, proving that sustainability and transparency are not just buzzwords but essential elements of modern business practices and we're proud to have supported them, and all our customers with full transparency and traceability of the inputs and their own impact reporting.
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