As you may know, Lowie is committed to bettering our practices as a label to lessen our environmental impact and to be as sustainable as possible. It’s exponentially easier to use single-use plastics, to consume products that aren’t produced ethically, and so on without thinking of the consequences. Sadly, it’s that kind of mindset that’s landed the planet in the situation it’s in. So, we’ve always got eyes peeled looking for ways we can change our actions for the sake of sustainability. 

We love having an online store because it means that we are able to share our pieces with women all around the world. But, the logistics of sending out orders is where things get a little dodgy. Plastic is great for mail. It’s waterproof and lightweight, so it’s perfect for sending clothes to wherever they need to go. On the other hand, plastic is not great for the environment and especially not great for the oceans. 

Previously, we sent out orders in oxo-degradable bags. This means that the bags are made with an agent that allows them to break down quicker than conventional plastic. However, this kind of biodegradable bag still releases trace amounts of microplastics into the environment. 

So, for a while now we’ve been looking for bags that will be just as functional as our current ones but that are better for the environment. We’re so excited to say that we finally found one! 

Our new shipping bags are from the aptly named Australian company The Better Packaging Co. Although we were hoping to find bags from somewhere in the UK to lessen the carbon emissions produced by shipping the bags to us, we were unable to find any that suited our needs. So, for now, we have decided that the reduction in plastic waste will offset the impact of bringing in the bags from Australia.

The bags are made from cornstarch, Polylactide (which is made from plant starches such as rice and wheat straw), and PBAT. PBAT is a non-toxic agent that speeds up the rate at which the bags degrade. The only downside is the PBAT is partially derived from petrochemicals, which are non-renewable resources. But we really appreciate the company’s transparency and efforts to find a renewable alternative and hope you will too.

The bags have been certified to biodegrade in a standard home compost in 90-180 days, which is about the same length of time as an orange peel. The bags have also passed the worm-toxicity test which means they’re safe to be eaten by our friendly composting pals and other microorganisms.

Well, you might be asking yourself, what does this mean for you? It means that you can shop our products and not have to worry about any additional plastic being put into the environment. Once you receive a package from us, simply add the bag to your home food scraps, garden waste, or local compost point. You can also reuse the bag for up to 6 months if you so choose.

To learn more about what we’re doing to make Lowie more sustainable and ethical, read through our other journal entries or send us a message. We can’t wait to send you one of our new shipping bags.