Hull-based safety equipment specialist Arco has successfully reduced its carbon emissions and plastic use by adopting a more circular approach to the packaging for its products.
It has introduced mailing bags made from 80% recycled polythene to achievea 35% reduction in the amount of plastic used across its operations. Their production of the 400,000 mailing bags it uses every year has been relocated from China to Europe, resulting in an estimated carbon emission saving of 38%.
Arco has also changed to a new ‘void fill solution’, to improve the sustainability of packaging which protects products in transit. The new alternative provides a further 13% reduction in plastic usage and carbon emissions and results in 17% less waste. Arco’s overarching sustainability aim is to be carbon net zero by 2045.
Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco, said: “The introduction of these changes is a small, but important step that we have taken in support of our sustainability aims and is part of a planned approach to ensure we are carbon net-zero by 2045.
“We would like to thank our packaging supplier, Hazel 4D, for their advice and support in identifying and implementing these changes.
“As a responsible choice of safety partner, we are committed to taking action to reduce climate-related impacts and are focussed on wider sustainability opportunities that we can bring forward, including how we support our local communities.”
Arco’s new packaging has been developed in collaboration with Leeds-based packaging supplier Hazel 4D. The fifth-generation family business has worked with the packaging consultancy for several years, including on a previous project that reduced its plastic usage in pallet wrapping by 55%.
