Why choosing UK manufactured is more important than ever

posted on

23rd September 2021

In today’s world it is rare that a day goes by without climate change being in the headlines or debated across social media platforms, and with reports like the August 2021 Improvement Panel on Climate Change being commissioned and others regularly released it really is hard to miss!

The latest report had world leaders including the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson saying it was a ‘wake-up call to the world’*. Alongside reports, TV programmes such as Blue Planet have really inspired audiences of everyday people to make conscious changes to the way they live. All of this has only increased demand for climate friendly and sustainably sourced products from consumers. So, we are asking how, we as retailers, can minimise impact on climate change and what choices we can make.

One of the key contributors to climate change is carbon emission and the UK has committed itself to slash these by 78% by 2035**, which is in just 14 years’ time! Choosing products that are manufactured in the UK, offers significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to those products that are manufactured and then shipped from overseas.

Presuming the manufacturing process is the broadly the same in each location, the CO2 emissions below represents the rate for shipping from different locations around the world. The data is based on shipping 1 pallet of 539299 to Greenham Midlands (WS9 8UY).

· Far East – 53.03kg CO2 ***

· Western Europe – 29.76kg CO2 ***

· UK – 4.53kg CO2 ***

(**** See below for port assumptions)

It’s clear to see that buying products manufactured in the UK, reduces the product miles, considerably and therefore reducing the carbon footprint of the product.

Within the Pristine paper hygiene range, there is a full breadth of products with a complete life cycle within the UK, meaning the raw material, conversion and shipment is all within the UK, giving the

product a low carbon footprint. Below is an indication at some of the sustainably sourced products we offer:

539283 – Pristine 2 ply, white Hygiene roll, 25cm x 50m, 100% recycled paper, 18 rolls per case.

539299 – Pristine 2 ply blue centrefeed roll, 175mm x 120m, 100% recycled and food safe paper, 6 rolls per case.

539289 – Pristine extra soft eco 4 pack toilet roll, 2 ply, 320 sheets (90mm x 29m), 100% recycled toilet roll, 36 rolls per case.

539298 – Pristine ultra soft luxury 4 pack toilet roll, 3 ply, 104mm x 20m, pure pulp, 40 rolls per case.

539292 – Pristine 2 ply mini jumbo toilet roll, 90mm x 200m, 76mm core, 100% recycled paper, 12 rolls per case.

539294 – Pristine 2 ply jumbo toilet roll, 90mm x 400m, 60mm core, 100% recycled paper, 6 rolls per case.

539314 – Pristine 1 ply, blue z-fold hand towel, sheet size: 240mm x 230mm, 250 towels x 12 sleeves (3,000 towels) per case.

All of the Pristine paper hygiene products are also FSC® certified, a certification given to products that are sustainably source and reduce harmful demand on our world. Many of the products are also made from 100% recycled paper, further reducing the impact on the environment and worlds forests. Recycled base sheet also has a lower output of energy during conversion compared to pure pulp. Recycled paper is sourced and converted with in the UK at the manufacture’s own mills, which also reduces waste during production as offcuts and rejects are sent back to mills to be recycled back in to product.

Another key aspect of sustainably sourcing is choosing products with packaging that reduces the environmental impact. Plastic packaging is often found with paper hygiene products as a case wrap to keep products hygienically clean, from October the LDPE plastic used will be made from 30% PCR (recycled – Post Consumer Resin), plus, it is already widely recyclable. Other product packaging includes 100% recycled cardboard boxes and cores, which can also be recycled after use.

So, in conclusion the choices we make in sourcing and choosing our products does impact the environment and climate change. We as retailers can choose our products based on where they are manufactured clearly UK manufactured products offer a lower environmental impact and carbon footprint making them a more sustainably sourced option. As pressure continues from the government, media, and consumers these conscious decisions will become more prevalent in everyday life and drive consumer choices.