Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
Sustainability at Ark Wildlife
It would go against our ethos and values to promote garden wildlife, while ignoring the planet. Sustainability, or rather regeneration, is at the core of our business. The UK is one of the most nature depleted nations on earth and we are busy trying to reverse this.
Since our inception in 1991, we have been innovating and investing in sustainable business practices and packaging. We are NO Johnny come lately!
Action Highlights
- We have packed our bird food in paper sacks since 1991
- We introduced sugar cane packaging to the UK in 2017
- We use 100% recycled PE bags because they are better for the planet (even if they don’t look quite so nice!)
- We’ve run our plastic recycling scheme since 2010
- Our website data centre is 100% carbon neutral
We are accountable for our actions
No business is perfect, sustainability is a journey not a destination. We continually challenge the norm for better ways of doing things.
We communicate with honesty and integrity and strive to be a brand that is kind to the planet and its people, as much as we are to our customers.
Our Packaging
- All Ark foods are packed in either paper sacks, or 100% recycled plastic
- Some brands come pre-packaged, in which case we work with the supplier to uphold and support our high values
- Goods are shipped in carboard cartons which can be easily recycled
- Closing tape is paper with natural water activated gum
- Internal protective packaging is either re-used from goods-in, or cardboard which has been internally recycled on our premises
Warehousing, Offices and Technology
- We continue to invest in insulation and renewable energy. We have not yet achieved 100% but this continues to be our goal
- 100% of lighting has been upgraded to low energy LED
- Our website and data centre is now a 100% carbon-neutral platform
Corporate Social Responsibility - Environmental Policy - Equality & Diversity Policy - Modern Slavery Statement - Sustainability Actions
FAQ's
Here are answers to some of the most frequesnt questions we're asked. If you still have a question for us, please don't hesitate to get in touch by phone, email, or contact form.
Why doesn’t everyone use 100% recycled plastic bags?
Recycled plastics lose transparency. Many suppliers don’t like the slightly ghosted or cloudy look of 100% recycled plastic but we think it's a small price to pay.
Why don’t you use polypropylene sacks for your mail order food?
While polypropylene sacks are cheap and strong, they are not easy to recycle without specialist facilities. Additionally, many are printed and laminated making recycling even more difficult.
What is sugar cane plastic?
Sugar cane plastic is a bio-based plastic that is created using renewable plant-based materials. Sugar cane plastic requires little energy to produce and for every 1 kilo of sugar cane plastic produced, 3 kilos of CO2 are removed from our atmosphere.
Is sugar cane plastic recyclable?
Sugar cane plastic is readily recyclable as it is chemically the same as PE. Recycled sugar cane plastic will be reused in 100% recycled plastic.
Why do you send all your orders out in cardboard boxes?
Cardboard cartons allow us to ensure goods arrive at your door in good condition. In addition, it allows us to use less paper in the food sacks, reducing the overall weight of packaging.
Are your paper sacks 100% recycled?
Paper sacks cannot contain 100% recycled material because the wood pulp shortens with use. Having a small percentage of virgin pulp (from sustainable forestry) reduces the overall weight of the sack while retaining integrity.
Are your cardboard boxes 100% recycled?
All paper pulp deteriorates with reuse and cartons cannot currently be made from 100% recycled wood pulp (but we’re working on this). But recycled carboard can be turned into many other useful items (like toilet roll cores) and use 90% less water and 50% less electricity than new pulp.
Is paper tape better than plastic sticky tape?
This is a new area of innovation and we are using water-activated gummed paper rolls to close our cartons. Currently recycling centres cannot differentiate between tapes and they all get incinerated. However, we feel it's important to lead by example, and use best practice at all times.
