Sustainability
By shopping from my small business, you are already making a huge impact supporting an independent and ethical female-owned brand. There are many fashion accessory manufacturers out there, some who use unsustainable mechanisms to mass produce non-durable items, so thank you.
I predominantly work with polymerclay, a PVC-based product and because of this, it’s important to me to use it responsibly and to implement other sustainable practices in my business in order to minimise my impact on the planet. Here are some ways in which I strive to uphold eco-conscious practices within my business and my pledge to run Reflings Accessories in the most sustainable way that I can.
Packaging
My courier boxes are reusable and recyclable.
I also use shredded tissue paper to protect the contents of the package (if I ever use bubble wrap it’s almost always reused from orders I’ve received).
I use acid-free tissue paper which can be reused in any way you choose and is also perfect for wrapping little gifts later on.
My thank you/care guide cards double up as free pieces of artwork designed by either myself or independent artists, encouraging my consumers to keep and display them rather than throw them.
Manufacturing Processes
I also take steps to ensure my manufacturing processes are as sustainable as possible. The earrings in my collections are carefully made to hopefully last you for many years. In all the years I have been using polymerclay, I have never thrown away clay pieces, cured or in its natural form. Offcuts and scraps are put aside to be reused later on.
Nothing ever goes to waste. Defects are either chopped into smaller pieces and re-purposed into unique artwork like sculptures or one-of-a-kind chunky necklaces.
I cure larger batches at once rather than little and often to conserve electricity.
Sustainability is at the forefront of my mind and I am always open to discussion, so feel free to have a chat with me if you have any suggestions!
Regards, Refiloe