Our Impact
Respectfully Melbourne is a transparent, socially and environmentally responsible business. We believe in doing the best we can to minimise our impacts on the earth, the place we live and love. We are not perfect but always trying to improve how we do things.
Eco-friendly packaging & shipping materials
- Our entire gift packaging design is 100% recyclable or compostable, although we hope it will be re-used.
- Our gift boxes are made in Melbourne from recycled materials, using small batch, minimal waste printing processes and kerb-side recyclable.
- Our tissue paper is compostable or recyclable and printed using soy-based ink, making it easier to recycle and producing fewer toxins compared to commercial printing.
- Our branded stickers are made from biodegradable materials and printed with soy-based ink, and together with the release liners are compostable or recyclable.
- Our gift cards are 100% recycled and recyclable, printed in Melbourne using eco-friendly processes.
- Our gift boxes are not packed in additional cardboard boxes like many other online gift stores.
- Both our shipping mailers and labels are made from plant-based materials, and 100% compostable.
Sustainably & ethically made gift products
- We exclusively source products that are locally produced by makers who continuously look for ways to minimise their waste and carbon emission output.
- We represent trusted local and transparent makers who ensure ethical standards and sustainable practices are maintained throughout their supply chain.
- We select products made from materials that are gentle on the environment.
- We select products with minimal to no plastic packaging, most used has been upcycled and can be recycled. Sadly, the soft plastics used by our few snack producers can only be recycled in some areas in Australia, hopefully this space will change soon.
- We select products based on quality, purpose, effectiveness and elegant, timeless aesthetics, opposed to mass-produced, useless items and fashion trends that quickly end up in landfill.
Low carbon footprint
- By exclusively sourcing products made in Victoria, where we are located, we produce minimal transport carbon emissions.
- Our transport carbon usage to deliver gift packages is offset by proudly partnering with Greenfleet, a not-for-profit environmental organisation protecting our climate by restoring forests.
- Our minimal electricity and gas carbon emissions to power our office are offset by proudly partnering with Red Energy, which is 100% Australian owned, Melbourne based and certified carbon neutral by Climate Active.
VEGAN-FRIENDLY AND CRUELTY FREE
With a strong focus on our gift products being gentle on the environment, it evolved that most items we feature are vegan-friendly, except our milk chocolate offering and warm woolly socks (two essentials for some Melburnians!) Most are crafted from pure ingredients sourced from nature, reducing the pollution associated with unnecessary and harmful chemicals.
Our gifts are also proudly cruelty-free, aligning with our mission to offer gifts created with care and respect for the workers that made them, our environment and the inhabitants within.