Sustainability
Sustainability is an evolving goal for us. We make a continuous effort in each aspect of production and distribution, always maintaining our consideration to environmental and social impacts.
Sufficient Batch Production
Starting small has affected many elements of production: from our less-than-competitive production costs, to where the bottle is produced, we’ve had to find creative solutions and compromises to avoid bulk manufacturing or standardised productions.
Bespoke Bottles
The glass perfume bottle is nothing new – so we didn’t think it would be a challenge. We knew for sure that we would like ours to be bespoke. After extensive searching we understood we had limited options. Unfortunately bespoke bottle production mainly accommodates enormous quantities, with excessive minimum order quantities. Having these enormous quantities to deal with when you are a new brand is quite terrifying, as well as the scarcity of materials and the supply chain crisis means bespoke production is challenging.
At last we found a production facility that accommodated our production needs, however they were not based close to home. We ship the bottles to us by sea rather than sky to minimise any negative impact on the environment. Ideally, we would like to produce our bottles closer to home. We are hoping this will be possible as the company grows and we start moving larger quantities of stock – however, we really don’t like the fact there is no other way around it. If by any chance you are a glass producer and can accommodate smaller quantities, please e-mail here.
If you have fallen in love with your scent and used it all, get in touch with us and we will easily refill your bottle. Thanks to this, we use less glass and plastic and you get a discount.
No magnet in the cap
The sound of the magnet in the cap of a perfume bottle, much like closing the door of the high-end car, is a mark of a truly luxurious brand. Funny how opulence always ends up being a bit problematic. Did you know that if a perfume bottle cap contains a magnet you have to take it out before it can be recycled? We decided to make our caps without magnets to avoid this. It’s a small detail that makes being a bit less harmful to environment easier.
Paper Full of Life
Paper used for our packaging is respectfully produced by James Cropper in the foothills of the English Lake District. Containing a minimum of 30% upcycled fibres, given a second life as a new paper product, and blended with fresh fibre from sustainable forestry sources, this combination keeps materials in use and helps in the regeneration of natural systems. The vibrant colours are created with aqueous dye technology. Made with renewable materials and low impact manufacturing processes, our packaging is also easy to recycle after use.
We request our converters to provide us with the scraps of the unused paper, which we shred and add on to our shipment boxes for product security within the journey, truly nothing is wasted.
GROWING OUR DISCOVERY SET
Our sample set grows in Europe. Yes, that’s right, it grows. It’s made of agricultural waste and mycelium (which is a part of mushroom), which is fully compostable – you could literally throw it on the ground and it would be fine. We’d rather you choose the composter if you have access to one.
In the process absorbing 190gr of CO2 in the process, meaning by the time we receive it (after drying and transport), it has a negative footprint of 90gr of CO2. Once it’s thrown away, or composted by you, it still has a negative footprint of 270gr of CO2
Cruelty-free and predominantly vegan
All our perfumes are cruelty-free, and not tested on animals. We will never sell them in any country that could require this. All of our scents are vegan unless otherwise stated.
Bel Rebel believes that beauty should be cruelty free. We are proud to be Leaping Bunny approved. A global programme, Leaping Bunny requires cruelty free standards over and above legal requirements. All of our own brand fragrances are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme, the internationally recognisable gold standard for cruelty free products. We adhere to a fixed cut-off date policy and proactively monitor our suppliers to ensure that our products continue to adhere to the Leaping Bunny criteria. Our supplier monitoring system is also independently audited. For more information about Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny and Leaping Bunny criteria, please visit www.crueltyfreeinternational.org
A mix of natural & synthetic molecules
The question of synthetic vs natural molecules is ubiquitous. We choose to use both. We feel it’s a more sustainable option that still allows the creation of complex, deep fragrances.
The word synthetic (man-made) brings a connotation of being artificial or fake, but many of the lab-made molecules have the same structure as their natural equivalent. The only difference is that one requires miles of fields full of flowers, tons of water and tedious hours of labour. Often, choosing the synthetic option is simply better for the environment. Sometimes, using the natural essence keeps traditional industries alive, which can also be a good thing. We believe in balance.
Both natural and synthetic molecules can contain allergens and be potentially harmful. That’s why an external body called IFRA regulates the use of every molecule that goes into perfume. You should not be scared of using fragrances that contain synthetic molecules – they have been thoroughly checked before entering the European market.
Have you got any questions about sustainability at bel rebel, or would like to tell us how we could do better? Get in touch here.