As an artist who’s always striving to make a positive impact, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: we are introducing Ecocaps, the world’s first zero-plastic, sustainable packaging solution for single-use end caps. This development is a game-changer for artists like me who care deeply about reducing plastic waste and promoting eco-friendly practices for you and our planet.
Ecocaps are made in-house by our printing partner, Prodigi, using 100% recycled paper products, including a unique blend of newspaper, cardboard, and pulp. These end caps are fully compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable, effectively eliminating the need for traditional plastic end caps. Each Ecocap saves 10 grams of plastic per shipment, which also adds up significantly over time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It might not seem like much at first glance, but consider this: by replacing plastic caps on their cardboard shipping tubes with Ecocaps, Prodigi has already removed over two million pieces of plastic from their logistics. With the world producing 141 million tonnes of plastic packaging annually and global parcel shipments expected to reach 256 billion by 2027, every sustainable swap makes a huge difference in reducing plastic waste.
Starting in February, all my rolled prints and posters shipped within the UK have been using this new sustainable packaging, with a US rollout scheduled for June 2024 (this month!). This shift is part of our ongoing commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and plastic consumption and yours. We are committed to achieving 100% plastic-free status through continuous improvements.
Creating Ecocaps was no easy feat. Finding an eco-friendly packaging alternative to plastic end caps wasn’t possible because such a product didn’t exist. But Prodigi rose to the challenge and developed their own solution. These water-resistant Ecocaps have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they match the durability of their cardboard postal tubes, providing excellent protection for your ordered prints during transit. Plus, Ecocaps weigh 40% less than their plastic counterparts and take up less space when stacked, making them more efficient for transport and reducing shipping costs. As an artist, this means I can offer you high-quality, sustainable products that align with your values.
The introduction of Ecocaps addresses a critical gap in the printing and shipping space and the wider packaging industry. Prodigi is supplying these to eco-conscious businesses and sustainable packaging suppliers, and they’re encouraging other printing and shipping providers (including their competitors) to adopt Ecocaps to help reduce global plastic consumption.
I’m proud to be part of this movement towards a more sustainable future. With Ecocaps, I can continue to create and share my art with you and others, knowing that we're contributing to reducing plastic waste and promoting eco-friendly practices for the planet.