As the founder of Sass and Belle, I believe it is essential to put sustainability and ethical trading at the forefront of how we operate as a company, to help us become the giftware market leader that puts the planet before profit. To practice what I preach, at home I try to be as sustainable as possible through championing reusable nappies (it gets messy, but it feels very rewarding), swapping to a plug-in hybrid car, shopping for food without plastic packaging, growing our own veggies, through to using renewable energy sources where possible. From materials and packaging we use, through to working practices, and the suppliers we work with, we are on a journey of change, putting global and social responsibility first and foremost.

Product design is at the heart of what we do, and a key area in which we can become more sustainable as a company. The Design Team are constantly questioning our choice of materials, and work closely with suppliers to source the most responsible options and processes. We aim to design functionality into our products, to make them useful and long-lasting, while keeping the playfulness and charm that we are known for as a brand. Being on the Sustainability Committee helps me to focus on concrete goals, and motivates me to always keep improving.

Being a part of the Sustainability Committee allows me to share ideas and initiatives with other areas of the business. My team have been working towards promoting the Sass & Belle brand in more sustainable ways, from less-wasteful packaging and gift wrap, to using local printers in order to reduce CO2. The biggest challenge I have faced is finding earth-friendly materials and processes that do not compromise aesthetic appeal – all whilst remaining cost-effective.

We believe in sustainability because we know the environmental impact of our products. At Sass & Belle, Our suppliers adhere to our sourcing standards and those of our customers by ensuring products are ethically sourced, produced, and handled throughout the supply chain.

To be a part of the Sustainability Committee is important to me in my role as Design Manager. I want to make positive change for the future of our planet & my role gives me the opportunity to learn and make better choices. My team and I are responsible for making conscious decisions throughout the design journey. This starts with the materials we plan to use and work with, along with the finish or embellishment we may add to the product or packaging. As designers we work closely with our Product Development team to ensure we are using manufacturing processes & materials that are sustainable for the environment.

I am excited to be part of Sass & Belle Sustainable team. We look for ways to use more sustainable products in our range. We don’t just worry about the product itself but we also aim to reduce as much transit and product packaging as possible, using recyclable materials where we can. I am also conscious in my personal life how I can live more sustainable way. Especially with plastic food containers, I use some of them as a seed tray. I compost my food waste. This a journey that I will always be in, for me and for our planet.

I believe by being a part of this sustainability committee I can help shape the future of Sass and Belle in this ever-changing environmental landscape. I have previously helped guide and implement changes across the warehouse and I am sure with the measures discussed we can collectively create a sustainable future amongst all our staff and customers that we trade with.