Sustainability is not the sole responsibility of the end user.

When we think of sustainability, people often think of recycling, placing the responsibility on the end user to dispose of a product responsibly. Unfortunately, not enough emphasis is placed on the manufacturer’s role in the product’s journey from cradle to grave. According to the Ellen Macarthur foundation, decisions made at the design phase influence how long something lasts, what it is made of, and what happens to it at the end of life. In fact, 80% of a product's environmental impact is influenced by decisions made at the design stage. Further considerable influence is bestowed on the product at the packaging stage, before it even reaches the shelves.

“80% of a product's environmental impact is locked in at the design stage”

Mark Aldrich, Category and Procurement Manager at Weatherdon says it's critical that manufacturers and distributors minimise their reliance on the end-user to do the right thing.

"We need to be accountable for the products we bring to market – and the way they are distributed. Our brands are eradicating all unnecessary plastic from their packaging, We are removing toxic inks and plastic wraps, doing our best to bring responsible products to customers around the country".

We are proud to partner with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and ECOVADIS to bring better solutions to our customers. Such endorsements help differentiate us from other products on the market that rely more on marketing than actual credentials. We need to work closely together to “Go to market responsibly.”

Australian-owned electrical brand Nero has made the brave choice to steer away from fancy attractive packaging to prioritise their footprint, and reduce cost for end users. "When we consider the volume of products reaching our shores every year, the simple removal of a plastic cable tie or wrapper represents hundreds of kilos of plastic not entering the country, let alone our oceans". An initiative celebrated by our customers who can reduce their own footprint as a result of our partnership.

"We're not perfect yet, says Aldrich, but we're serious about being part of the solution".