Investigating Key Aspects of Our Journey
As part of our BLUNT B Corp journey, we embarked on a mission to evaluate our environmental impact. Our focus was on resource conservation through modular design and repairability.
The Repair Program: An Integral Part of BLUNT
From the very beginning, our umbrella designs have been rooted in modularity. Little did we know that this commitment in our infancy to quality design would naturally lead to repairability. Our ethos has always been “Repair, not replace!”—a philosophy that aligns seamlessly with resource conservation.
Tracking Repairs and Materials
In the early days, we fixed umbrellas on the fly without really keeping tabs on what we were doing. But as BLUNT grew, so did our approach and commitment to sustainability. We started carefully tracking every repair – where it happened, what parts we used, and how much we could reuse or recycle.
This data wasn’t just about meeting deadlines; it was a record of the incredible environmental impact of our repair program. We realised we were onto something special and wanted to share our approach with the world.
B-Corp
Becoming a B Corp meant proving our positive impact on the planet and people. We used the B Corp proprietary tool known as the B Impact Assessment (BIA) to measure how we were doing in areas like looking after our team, supporting our community, and protecting the environment. We knew our repair program was great for the planet, but we needed solid proof. That's when we realised we could show how repairing umbrellas saves resources and reduces waste.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
To truly understand our environmental footprint, we collaborated with Massey University to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a rigorous methodology for evaluating the environmental impacts at every stage of our product's life cycle. This helps us see the total impact of a product, from the moment its materials are gathered to when it's finally recycled or thrown away. We focused on our Classic model and compared it to a typical umbrella that can't be repaired.
BLUNT’s Carbon Story
Our carbon story is a powerful one. This graphic below illustrates how our Classic Umbrella stacks up against a typical, industry standard umbrella. Each step up on the chart means more carbon emissions. For a BLUNT, that's when it's repaired. For a regular umbrella, it's a whole new umbrella replacement.
*This assumes that a BLUNT umbrella needs repairs as frequently as a traditional umbrella needs replacement, which is typically not the case.
Conclusion
At BLUNT, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond innovative design and repairability. We are dedicated to continuous improvement, regularly evaluating our processes and seeking new ways to minimise our environmental impact. As a proud B Corp, we are not only focused on reducing our carbon footprint but also on creating a positive impact across all areas of our business.
Our journey is ongoing and we are excited to continue exploring new strategies and technologies that will help us build a more sustainable future for our products and our planet.
