Sustainability
A great deal of the imagery we use at The Pattern Book depicts animals, plants, insects and sealife (see our extensive Natural World collection).
We are acutely aware of how human activity, including our own, continues to impact biodiversity, habitat and climate, threatening the flora and fauna of our precious planet. It is only through the actions of individuals, communities, businesses and governments that we can seek to limit these impacts to a sustainable level.
Below we have set out a list of questions and answers detailing steps we have taken.
Sustainability FAQs
When will you become Net-Zero?
The Pattern Book continues to strive for sustainability, and we aim to become a net-zero company by 2030 (preferably much sooner).
What paper do you print on?
Our greeting cards and note cards are printed on carbon-neutral paper made from 100% recycled fibres. The mill in Italy uses renewable energy sources to manufacture the paper and offsets unavoidable emissions by purchasing carbon credits.
For more information visit https://www.favini.com/gs/en/products/shiro-echo/
Are you Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved?
All the papers we use, including the ones we use for our poster-wrap, envelopes and packaging, are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved. Because the papers are uncoated and printed using vegetable-based inks, they are fully recyclable and biodegradable (unlike many ‘coated’ or shiny greeting cards).
Are your envelopes and wrappers sustainable?
Our envelopes are made from 100% recycled ‘fleck kraft’ paper which has a unique look and feel. We protect our uncoated cards and envelopes using compostable wrappers. While not perfect, they are made from the plant-based material Nativia and can be collected and composted by local councils in their industrial composting units which achieve high temperatures. In reality, a well-managed home composting site can successfully compost these wrappers. However, if it is not possible to compost the bag then they must be disposed of via normal refuse and not the recycling bin.
What is your approach to packaging?
We use recycled and paper-based materials in much of our packaging, and our use of plastic is limited to the packaging of our poster-wrap for wholesale shipping as it requires more protection from the unpredictable knocks and drops experienced during shipping. We also use a robust plastic packing tape for overseas orders. We are always on the look-out with our fulfillment partner, JBH, for a more environmentally friendly packaging solution.
Partnerships and Collaborations?
We also work with partners committed to maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change, including the Royal Entomological Society, Science Museum and Wellcome Collection, and regularly
make donations or pay royalties to these excellent charities amounting to 10% of the net sales value of our many co-branded cards.
