At Community Coverings we are trying to ensure our products, accessories & packaging are sustainable & where possible items are reusable, recyclable or compostable.
Below you will find detailed information on all of our packaging & the unique characteristics of each component.
REUSABLE
- Community Coverings Face Mask
- Mask Chains & Lanyards
- Sleeve / Mask Holder
RECYCLABLE
- Sleeve / Mask Holder
- Tissue Paper & Sticker
- Thank You & Welcome Cards
COMPOSTABLE
- Mailers / Post Packs (Home Compostable)
- Mailing Labels (Industrially Compostable - Home Compostability Certificate pending)
Sleeve / Mask Holder (with Admaster coating)
Thank You & Welcome Cards
When you receive your order you will notice a thank you card to welcome you to Community Coverings, with a quick introduction & of course a simple QR code that links to our Caring for Your Mask page.
We did not want to print this guide as it may change and update over time so this generic card will help to reduce our environmental impact with less printing required.
Tissue Paper
Stickers
Home Compostable Mailers / Post Packs
Our comPOST Packs are made from totally biodegradable & compostable materials; corn starch, PLA (synthesised from corn) & PBAT (Polybutyrate Adipate Terephthalate). PLA (Polylactide) is a bio-based, biodegradable material made from renewable plant material (starches such as corn husks, rice straw & wheat straw).
The most sustainable option for end users once finished with a comPOST Pack is to put it in with their food scraps & garden waste. They will break down within months* in a compost environment in a non-toxic process. Yes, they’re fine in worm farms & will be broken down in a bokashi too.
The materials we make our comPOST Packs from are certified AS 5810-2010 for Home Composting, meaning they will be completely degraded by microorganisms in the natural world under compost conditions. Ultimately this generates carbon dioxide & water and does not pollute the environment.
*The certification requirements are for 95% degradation within 180 days, however we know ours break down way quicker than that.
Well, that will depend on the conditions they’re in. In a ‘standard’ home compost, they have been certified (AS5810-2010) to biodegrade within 180 days, i.e. approx 6 months. Under commercial composting conditions, it would happen much faster, & as litter (e.g. under a tree) it would happen slower, but it will happen. The Australian Standard is one of the most rigorous in the world & includes a worm toxicity test which means that our comPOST Packs are safe to be eaten by the little, pink wriggly guys.
For more information please see our supplier.
Compostable Mailing Labels
Did you know most Courier labels are made of acrylic & aren’t biodegradable? Not me! I’m a certified industrially compostable (EN13432). My Home Compostability certificate is pending, but imminent (we just couldn’t wait any longer)! As well as being compostable, my adhesive is also carefully formulated to include a high percentage of renewable materials.
For more information please see our supplier.
EXPLANATION OF ICONS
FSC Certified
The FSC or Forest Stewardship Council certifies that the paper products utilised in Community Covering's print & packaging material are sourced from a forest and supply chain that is managed responsibly & sustainably.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is a non-profit organisation that sets certain high standards to make sure that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible and socially beneficial manner. FSC supports the responsible management of plantations & the products derived from harvesting activities in these areas as a strategy to complement conservation & the sustainable use of natural forests.
100% Recycled
Along with the FSC Certified stock, we have also managed to source a 100% recycled option. The “100 percent” refers to the amount of post-consumer waste in a given paper stock; and in this case our paper stock is entirely made from post-consumer waste.
Soy-based Inks
We use soy-based inks, which are an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based inks made from soybeans (a renewable resource). While soy inks are slower to dry than many inks, the process produces more vibrant colours as well as having the added benefit of not leaving behind petroleum based products when decomposing. Finally, soy inks have low levels of VOCs, reducing air pollution during the drying process.
Acid Free Paper
Our personalised tissue paper & stickers are an acid free paper & it is made from cellulose fibre where the active acid pulp is eliminated during processing. It is also lignin-free & sulfur-free, meaning that our ink won’t transfer from the tissue or sticker & the paper won’t leave behind any of these chemicals when decomposing.
Water Based Coating
If a varnish or coating is applied to our printed products then we utilise a water based aqueous varnish (which can include the Admaster additive) and when combined it is a fast-drying clear water-based coating that is used to protect printed pieces.