While we produce beautiful quality jewellery, we also take environmental social and governance seriously in Spriteland, and are working with our global suppliers to put ESG at the forefront of what they're doing.
The majority of our suppliers are members of SEDEX, which an international body (it stands for suppliers ethical data exchange) focussed on maintaining data on responsible practices, sharing experiences to improve the way manufacturers operate. Membership includes regular audits looking at employee conditions, environmental commitment and ethical considerations in the way they operate. The four areas that SEDEX overarches are 1) Labour standards; 2) health & safety; 3) environment; 4) business ethics. All such important topics.
Generally the sterling silver being used throughout our collections is recycled, cutting waste in the workshops and preventing the need to access virgin resources. This approach to sustainable waste management covers all activities in the workshops we partner with across the world. We also speak with suppliers to understand the life cycle of the crystals being used, aiming to cut the amount of middlemen so we can hear directly that they've been responsibly sourced. Usually the way it works is that the licence to mine for crystals is leased from the government, and certain standards must be met as part of that contract. This includes safety equipment and employing local people to support the community.
We also liaise with suppliers about working with recycled packaging. Our boxes are created in Germany, by a fifth generation family-owned business. They joined the Global Compact of the United Nations in 2005, way ahead of the more recent push focusing on sustainability. They even have insulating glass and LED lights throughout their office and factory, such is the commitment to the environment.
Finally, wherever we can, we shop with UK businesses to reduce the Sprite's carbon footprint. A super example of this is our candles collection, which are hand-poured in Yorkshire. They are hugely eco-friendly, as they’re made of soy wax (instantly better for the planet), feature aromatherapy oils approved by the British Soil Association, and are presented in recycled glass jars – and of course we encourage shoppers to reuse the jars as pen pots / crystals storage etc, once the candles have danced their last jig.
In Spriteland, looking at ways to be more environmentally conscious is a continuous process, and we look forward to sharing more innovations as and when we can.
