We don’t believe people exist in isolation; we are connected with our environment. Therefore, sustainability is no passing trend for us. It’s in our DNA and an indispensable part of how we work. We continuously strive to make Erwin’s even more sustainable and, therefore, consider carefully any new steps we take in this light. Because sustainability isn’t something you can plug into a company. It calls for constant dedication to working as sustainably as possible.
“We don’t cut corners! Many companies sometimes cut corners, and we are determined not to do that at Erwin’s. Our commitment is long-term: How are we currently doing, and how could we do better? We regularly talk with other sustainable brands to pool our strengths and learn from one another’s business practices.”
GO BEYOND THE HYPE & TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
1. LOCAL & ALL NATURAL
Our balm is made from all-natural ingredients, from 100% pure pine oil and essential mineral oils to organic beeswax. It suits your leather heritage goods, the environment, your skin, and your conscience.
We only buy these ingredients from local and small business owners to make our original Dutch blend. Therefore, we support the local community, and the products don’t have to travel. Consequently, we reduce transportation and lower our CO2 emissions as a company.
2. CLEAN & STRAIGHTFORWARD
We’re a small artisan business and want to keep it that way. Of course, we want to grow as a business, but we keep making all our original blends manually and not outsourcing anything. We would like to keep it simple and stupid- or clean and straightforward, like a good Dutch habit.
3. ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING
Our commitment to sustainability extends to the store itself: We ship our products in biodegradable packaging so we can minimise the environmental impact right through to the end of the chain. We also supply shops that sell our products with organic cotton carry bags to give to their customers or pay an additional fee for wrappings that are not eco-friendly.
The tins
Our tins are recyclable aluminium with Eco-friendly labels (stickers) without plastic laminate printing.
Cardboard with FSC-label
We send our products in recyclable (FSC label) cardboard packaging with fillings. Once you’ve got your products at home, please don’t throw them away with regular rubbish but with recycled paper waste.
Promotion
We are stringent about the number of magazines and show cards we produce. If we choose to use paper, it always carries an FSC label (sustainably sourced paper).
4. REUSE OF PACKAGING MATERIAL
As shop owners, we receive countless products from our suppliers, mainly in cardboard boxes. We wondered what to do with these boxes. Should we throw them away? Or can we still reuse them for shipping, and would our customers appreciate this? We believe so, so we decided to reuse all undamaged boxes, which are environmentally friendly and sustainable to relieve the environment and our rubbish man.
Your items may be delivered in a box that has already been used. Of course, we ensure we only use undamaged and unbranded boxes & packaging materials, so you don’t notice this!
