I’m making a change to my packaging. I’ve always tried to be environmentally conscious, and over the years, I have moved more and more to eco-friendly materials. I would like to leave as small a footprint as possible on our land.

Starting out…

In the beginning, I started out with fashion bags in a glossy black & white, and fuchsia & white. It went with my colours.

Original black glossy bags

Then I changed to recyclable and biodegradable white paper bags.

White paper bags with fuchsia tissue & ribbon

For shipping, I’ve always used white recyclable and biodegradable boxes.

Today…

Now I’m moving to kraft bags and boxes. Perhaps not as pretty but more natural looking and kinder to the environment.

I’m also not going to use ribbon anymore after the current spool is used up. It’s been on my mind for a while. My niece, a biologist who works to protect endangered species has told me how ribbon and plastic rings harm wildlife on land and in water. I don’t want to add to that.

Using up the last of the fuchsia ribbon

One more thing, the bright fuchsia tissue paper is being replaced by plain white. I thought about using no tissue paper but it cushions the garments in the box minimizing creases and wrinkles.

Unboxing…

I know some of you love my gift box packaging. You’ve told me unboxing is a treat. It’s like opening a present. It will still be the same carefully wrapped packages to protect the clothing inside. The only difference will be the natural colour as opposed to white, white tissue instead of fuchsia, and no fuchsia ribbon. I think the benefits to the environment outweigh the slightly less pretty unboxing experience.

My inspiration…

This change was inspired by a customer and fellow business owner, Pamela George of Sand Dollar Financial Literacy Counselling, Pamela is the most environmentally conscious person I know. She walks the walk in all aspects pf her business and life. I know when Pamela purchases a COKANNA garment, she wants little to no packaging. If she’s picking up, she asks for only the piece of clothing, please. If shipping, she asks for the bare minimum of packaging. So I pack it in a kraft box with nothing extra.

I’ve been thinking if Pamela likes it that way, then likely many of you would appreciate the minimalist approach too.

Plus, I’ll also be honest with you. Kraft bags and boxes are slightly less expensive. It’s a bit of savings for me as I’m not increasing my clothing prices despite escalating costs in everything from fabric to transaction processing fees and shipping.

Orders packaged up and ready for shipping

Reusable bags…

Another thing I thought about was reusable cloth bags. However, if you’re like me, I have so many reusable bags now that I don’t know what to do with them. I didn’t want to add to your supply. And, the paper bags are reusable anyway up to a point, and then they can be recycled.

For in-person shopping events, I’ll ask people to bring their own reusable shopping bags. When shopping online, if you prefer no bag, like Pamela, then simply request that in the notes section when you place your order.

And don’t forget…

If you’d like to see my new packaging, keeping in mind I still have a few white bags & boxes and fuchsia ribbon left to use up, then take advantage of my Summer Blowout Sale. It’s storewide. No items are left out. That means everything is between $5 and $60.

Shop the Summer Blowout Sale

Until next time,

~ Colleen

I’m a recovering Chartered Accountant and Breast Cancer Champion turned Fashion Designer. My COKANNA Canadian-made bamboo clothing is all about comfort and style. Giving back to the community is important to me so I support local breast cancer organizations who treat the whole person and not just the disease.