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At CamBuy, we recognise the importance of environmental sustainability,
and our organisation introduced CamBuy Green Policy at the beginning of
2011. The environmental policy is integrated into every aspect of
CamBuy’s business activities and following our green policy is the
responsibility of every CamBuy employee. Since at CamBuy we pack and send several thousands of products every year, the focal point of our green policy is the 3R's of reduce, reuse, and recycle of cardboard boxes and other packaging materials. |
Reduce
We source our shipping boxes in many different sizes to ensure products are shipped in optimal sized cartons providing perfect protection. Using boxes that are too large would require more void filling materials, which increases waste. We also use inflatable packaging in our shipping boxes; it is recyclable and can reduce disposal volume by 99% when deflated.
Reuse
If possible, we try to reuse cardboard boxes we receive products in as long as they are in a good aesthetic condition and more importantly, they can offer the protection of a new box to the products being shipped. As of today, approximately 70% of all the boxes we use for shipping are reused. We also reuse inflatable packaging and paper pads.
Recycle
We only buy cardboard boxes that are made from 100% recycled materials. All our shipping boxes are recyclable, too. If we cannot reuse a shipping box, we make sure it is collected and recycled by our recycling company.
Why recycle cardboard?
When cardboard breaks down in landfill it creates methane, a major greenhouse gas with the global warming capacity 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Cardboard is one of the easiest and most environmentally effective materials to recycle since the fibre in cardboard has already been processed. Therefore making cardboard products from recycled material, rather than virgin fibre, saves not only trees, but also large amounts of water and energy. Manufacturing from recycled material also produces up to 90% less by-products such as chemical wastes. For each kilogram of cardboard recycled, we can save up to one kilogram of greenhouse gases.
In addition to the 3R's, we try to protect and sustain the environment in which we operate by:
- using only environmentally friendly office paper: our paper is sourced from forests that are sustainably managed
- reduce the amount of paper you use each day by
- using scrap paper for notes
- setting our printers to print double sided
- using toner-saver mode
- only print our emails or documents when absolutely necessary
- minimising energy use by reviewing monthly data from energy monitor and electricity bill, and reporting monthly usage to all staff
- using in-house printers and consumables that are sourced from Brother who are committed to minimising their environmental impact and who are working together with Earthwatch Institute Australia to find practical and sustainable solutions to global environmental challenges
- using ENERGY STAR® enabled equipment. Power-saving modes have been installed on all computers and staff are reminded to turn off lights, computers, printers and all electrical appliances when not in use
- arranging desks near windows or re-paint in pale, reflective colours to maximise natural light in the office
