ACAI Outdoors' the story of their Circular Branded Mailing Bags

What we did

Together with the ACAI Outdoors design team we developed a branded mailing bag design that integrated messages about their sustainability objectives. This included a QR code that takes the customers to a web page to learn about the brands environmental efforts. It was a conscious effort to create a design that uses as little ink as possible to optimise the recyclability of the branded mailing bag when it reaches the end of its life and as result, produces a better-quality recycled pellet that can be used to manufacture new packaging products. The ACAI Outdoors branded mailing bag used just 15% ink coverage. Plus, though their product returns rates are very low it was a priority for the brand to include a second glue strip to the branded mailing bag so their customers could re-use the packaging item. 

Acai’s new branded mailing bags are manufactured using >30% recycled material, helping reduce their global footprint as recycled material has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to virgin alternatives plus meets the requirements of the UK’s plastic packaging tax. To support ACAI’s long-term environmental commitment and enhance the lifecycle of their branded mailing bags, reducing waste was a priority. We supported the business in understanding how a closed-loop recycling process works and led to the installation of polythene collection points at their warehouse and HQ. To further enhance recyclability, the ACAI team segregates post-consumer clear garment bags and branded mailing bags ready for Duo to collect when delivering new products. The waste polythene is recycled at Duclo Recycling.