Certain sectors of industry are under more scrutiny when it comes to sustainability practices, as their products were traditionally crafted from less eco-friendly materials.
The balloon industry could be placed in this category, but the suppliers in the sector have worked tirelessly to improve their eco-credentials, diversify their product ranges to new, sustainable materials, and create more environmentally friendly businesses as a whole. PPE found out what the latest developments have been.
With foil and helium as some of the key materials in the balloon industry’s manufacturing process, it’s arguably been a more challenging process for suppliers to become truly sustainable, than it has for companies in other sectors. Entire product ranges have been changed, with manufacturing and business processes also coming under examination.
But the industry has risen to the challenge, with many placing sustainability at the forefront of their business planning and ethos.
Mark Brett, sales and marketing director at ITI (UK), outlines: “Sustainability has been the hot topic over the last 12 months, and so it should. Latex Occidental is currently undergoing an audit for FSC, both balloons and packaging. We, as a company, at ITI (UK), are starting to introduce more product packed in paper/card packaging and no plastic. We have just launched a range of balloon garlands which don’t have plastic strips or glue dots. Latex obviously comes from trees, but we need to ensure that there is sustainability within the plantations.”
To read the full feature in the digital issue of Progressive Party, simply click here.
