...because this old world needs some "TLC"
We try to do our bit:
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We recycle our waste
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We buy 100% recycled paper and card for most of our products
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We keep our packaging to a minimum - reusing packaging we have received, or using recyclable packaging materials as you can see from the Packaging details at the foot of each page
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Our card cutting machine and computers are powered by Good Energy electricity, (they only buy from renewable sources), as is our office
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After we have our Bishy Teabreak, we like to compost our teabags in our Worm Assisted Compost bin that we got from those nice people at Wiggly Wigglers. The worms get lots of other stuff too; apple cores, eggshells, shredded paper...
sorry, don't do, won't do...
Because we are trying to care for our environment, we are unable to provide tableware, the majority of which is not easily reusable or recyclable.
You can of course get recycled plastic plates quite widely now on the internet, however, these products are just putting off the inevitable which is that they are heading for the landfill. Is washing up really so bad? It gives the Dads something to do after all!
Sure, you can get biodegradable disposable plates and cups which are great but it all takes energy to make them and they may be made in China and then have to be flown here. All a bit daft when you think about it!
We think that a proper cotton tablecloth and your everyday china are far nicer to use, and better for you and the enviroment.
about our suppliers:
TOBAR: Supplier of our "pocket money toys". They are the Wholesale branch of Hawkins Bazaar, and based in Norfolk, like Bishybarnybees (so low road miles to us!) The products they sell are very competitively priced and we stock them in order to offer a range of prices within our Toy Department, these items being our "budget" range, and are therefore mainly made in China.
Before setting up our account with Tobar we made sure we saw their Ethical Trading Policy. Within the limitations that they have of being a relatively small company they have sought assurances from their suppliers regarding the ethics behind the production of their products. To quote their policy, although "we sincerely try to ensure that we buy from legitimate, good, ethical companies we cannot guarantee that this is the case". It appears that they have received assurances from some of their suppliers "that the products they supply to us are not produced by those who are imprisoned, where working conditions are safe and hygienic, where working hours are not excessive, where child labour still allows for good quality education and that there is no discrimination". However, they acknowledge that they have no definite way of investigating these assurances and are too small a company to be able to police such claims, or inspect factories.
WOODEN TOYS UK: Handcrafted toys made in Czech from carefully managed European wood sources, imported to the UK by Bishybarnybees. Wooden Toys UK say that they are a family run business and that they produce their traditional toys both ecologically and ethically. To quote the information on their website,"all products (including paints) are thoroughly tested and certified in laboratories and in house by our own 3 children, friends and families. They are completely child-safe, strong and fun; remembered with fondness by grandparents, adults and children alike as they are passed down over the years. Some have been produced in Czech since the 1920’s".
THE EXOTIC PAPER COMPANY: Supply our Ellie Poo Sketchpads, Twig Pencils and the special recycled papers we use in our Really Green party items. All their papers are 100% post consumer recycled paper, the paper is made at Frogmore Mill in Hemel Hempstead and is a National Heritage Site. The paper making process is chemical free, acid free, doesn't use chlorine to bleach the papers and is totally harmless to the environment, plants and animals.
THE PAPER MILL SHOP: Supply much of our post consumer waste paper and card, which we then cut into our Happy Birthday banners and craft projects for children to enjoy. Based in Cumbria, UK. To quote their website, "as the mill produced ever more specialised papers, it became clear that the excesses and offcuts from its vast range of colours would be ideal for sale to the general public if cut to A4 or A5 size. The idea for The Paper Mill Shop was born".
THE CLEVER BAGGERS: Supply our wonderful calico Bishy bags. Based in Welshpool, UK. They have informed us that "our products are all ethically sourced from China and Czech Republic. We print in the UK where we employ 10 full time staff, all on full contracts of employment". They have a really green ethos, to quote their website; "some fourteen years ago we started off believing that the cotton bag was a 'good thing', a better, more environmentally friendly alternative to the tons of plastic/polythene bags that are given away and subsequently thrown away each year. The thought of all the wasted energy and resources led us to think that this was not a 'good thing' and very definitely not clever so we set about finding a way of being able to produce long-life, re-usable, and bio-degradable cotton bags".
RAJAPACK: Supply all our packaging supplies and our paper bags. A European packaging wholesaler and distributor. Their policy is to "strive to ensure that all aspects of the business have the least harmful effect on the environment. Being fully aware of all environmental legislation and ensure that regulatory requirments are met and, where feasible, improved upon. Encouraging suppliers, contractors and vendors to act in accordance with our environmental standards." They are focusing attention on improving the following areas of their business; "selection of non-polluting technology, waste minimisation, reuse/recycling and the reduction of energy consumption".
OTHER: Other products are mainly sourced from specialist educational suppliers, to ensure high quality and child-safe items.
Our invitations and thank you cards are printed in North Walsham, Norfolk, at our nearest local printing firm.
To our Shop
Pay through PayPal with your Credit or Debit Card -
PayPal Account not needed
or you are welcome to send us a Cheque
Please make sure you read our Terms & Conditions before placing your order - Thank You
P&P standard (2nd class packet or standard parcel post) -
Spend up to £30.00 = £3.99,spend £30.01 to £59.99 = £6.50,
spend £60.00 or more = FREE.
Option of Priority First Class postage available:spend up to £30.00 = £6.00,spend £30.00 - £124.99 = £10.00,spend £125.00 - £299.99 = £15.00,spend £300 & over = £20.00
 Our Packaging:- Packaging is a necessary evil for an internet based business, but we strive to be as eco-friendly as possible with ours. We use recyclable brown cardboard boxes. Craft packs are packed in reusable, resealable poly bags. Delicate items are wrapped in Oxo-Biodegradable bubble wrap. We use proper old fashioned Jiffy Bags that are more expensive than the thin plastic lined ones, but are made from tough 90gsm kraft paper with a 100% recycled paper fibre lining which makes the bag 100% recyclable. Jiffy Bags and boxes are sealed with recyclable silicone free paper parcel tape that has a natural adhesive. Sometimes we reuse packaging that has been sent to us.
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