With increasing pressure in the current world climate for sustainability, recycling and eco friendly products, small businesses need to get with the game and try and be more sustainable within their business..
I am aiming to take the following steps to help make my small handmade business more sustainable in the future.
I am now trying to cut down on my feather use, thinking about unnecessary packaging and I am thinking up new designs, without feathers and using sustainable materials.
These include using more sinamay, which is made from the abaca plant, some of the qualities of Abaca fibers that make it desirable are its sustainability, strength and durability, relatively low production cost, lovely texture and the fact that it is biodegradable and earth friendly.
Also fabrics and wool felt, all my fascinators are handmade and with care should last for years and years, hence the sustainability and can be classed as Slow Fashion..
Slow Fashion is an awareness and approach to fashion, which considers the processes and resources required to make clothing, particularly focusing on sustainability. It involves buying better-quality garments that will last for longer and values fair treatment of people, animals and the planet.
All my designs are available without feathers also, especially the Pandora and Cecily larger hats.
I am working on my packaging and most items are sent in a recyclable cardboard box with tissue paper.
Bubble wrap is used to the very minimum, only to wrap small items..
I can also offer a ReUse, Revamp service where old fascinators can be freshened up and a hire service on some of the ready made designs.
So hopefully looking good for 2020..
So have a lovely Christmas and New Year.
Penni