BLUEBELLA - Sustainability

Every step we take – from initiatives in our Head Office, such as our active diversity committee, to our supply chain factories, to the wider community we work in - before we take a step, we do our utmost to make sure it’s a step in the right direction. A step that looks after the Bluebella community and the planet.

We don’t always get it right, but we are committed to making a difference, and are constantly working towards a more sustainable and ethical way of life for everyone.

Here is where we are so far.

Bluebella - Trading Ethically and Responsibly

Product

• Vertical production – Bluebella product is sourced and produced in one country – which reduces the need to transport fabric or componentry – reducing carbon emissions
• All our cotton is organic cotton
• We have designed new ranges into our Autumn/Winter 2021 collection that contain eco and sustainable fabrics. Our priority in the coming seasons will be to increase the percentage of sustainable ranges
• Garment care labels will be produced using recycled and recyclable fabric from Spring/Summer 2021
• We reduce wastage by limiting our sampling requirements
• Actively look for ways to cross utilise base fabrics across ranges
• Sourcing fabrics from externally audited suppliers
• Our end of season samples are donated to charities
• Two new shades of skin tone hosiery coming in early Summer 2021 – Caramel and Berry

Factories

• Our factories are audited each year by 3rd party external audits
• They adhere to the Modern Slavery Act
• They contractually sign up to the Bluebella Ethical Trading Policy
• Our audits and code of conduct ensure workers are paid a fair living wage
• We are a member of Sedex – empowering responsible supply chains
• We work with suppliers who share our values and environmental ethos

Packaging

• Mailer Bags - recyclable - Always looking for ways to improve – even when a product is recyclable - We will introduce in early 2021, a paper-based mailer bag which is easily and fully recyclable
• Mailer Boxes – recyclable
• Gift Wrap Packaging - recyclable
• In Parcel Marketing Leaflets - recyclable
• Garment Poly Bags – Autumn 2020 – introduction of a recyclable poly bag. This is a temporary step in the right direction, our aim is to remove all poly packaging and only use sustainable tissue to protect product.

Carbon Footprint

• EcoCart: picking up the tab on carbon costs
  • Our new initiative with EcoCart means that the carbon cost of shipping every order is now calculated at checkout.
  • EcoCart lets us know the carbon impact of shipping each order, and how much it would cost to offset.
  • We then donate that amount to carbon offsetting initiatives that are planting trees all around the world.
  • The best part? There’s no extra cost to you, the customer.
  • So, you shop, we offset, more trees are planted and the world benefits.
• Look to source from the UK across the business – our new paper-based mailer bags – introduced from early 2021 are manufactured in the UK
• Concise management of our logistics operation to reduce the number of deliveries to our warehouse
• Encourage our customers – through our wash care labels – to wash at cooler temperatures
• Ensure that when our team have to fly on business, they use their time away productively and effectively and only fly when a physical presence is absolutely necessary 

Head Office

• Cut down printing – sometimes you need a paper copy – but everyone is reminded to ‘stop and think – before you print!
• Look Books and Line Sheets – We limit our commercial printing and actively encourage the use of online materials
• Monthly team meetings to assess progress and how we can improve sustainability in the workplace
• Encourage reusable water bottles – filtered tap water readily available
• Recycling bins given prominent office space – think before you bin it
• We use eco-friendly products within the office
• Merit plants – sustainable wins by our team are rewarded with real life plants for their desks
• We even moved our office to make it easier for our team to walk or cycle to work! 

The Future is Female

• Female CEO and Founder
• Female Brand Director
• Board members – 66% Female
• All female senior management team 

Community

• We donate to UK and global charities such as Beam, Rainn and WGEP
• We provide product donations to higher education establishments for charity fashion shows
• We encourage the Bluebella Head Office team to take part in volunteer days – and give holiday days in lieu in return