Our Packaging Ethos
100% of our packaging is plastic-free and is either recyclable or compostable.
Ever since 2002, we have cared about the environment. Starting the business by the seaside in Dorset a few years after sailing around the world & then becoming a mum, I (Claire) feel that we have a duty to look after our planet as much as we can & leave as light a footprint as possible and so were paying attention to our packaging formats before it was a concern.
As both of us are sailors, we are very aware of what is happening to our oceans as they become increasingly polluted by plastic. I was very upset to hear that microplastics were found deep in the Southern Ocean in the latest Volvo Ocean race, a part of the world that was pristine when I was so privileged to sail there 25 years ago.
For example, since launch, our Selection Boxes have always had cardboard grids inside to hold each chocolate in place, have never had plastic trays (as so many of our competitors use) & they never will have! We were well ahead of the curve on that front as no-one was even thinking about that back in 2002.
Something else we have offered since 2002 is a 10% discount if you bring your empty selection box back into one of our chocolate houses for refilling - we were recycling before it was a thing! You can also bring empty hot chocolate kraft tubes back for refilling & get a discount too.
We have also always only ever offered paper carrier bags & any items, such as mini bars and lollies, which look like they are in plastic bags, are actually packed in compostable woodpulp.
Further, all our giant bars, & any chocolate boxes or chocolate cocoa pods packed for you instore, are wrapped in compostable cornstarch cello - you can tell it's not normal plastic as it is so noisy!
If you receive a parcel from us via our mail order service, it is in in a kraft cardboard box sealed with paper tape & fragile items inside are wrapped in tissue & other recycled paper, not bubble wrap. If you visit one of our chocolate houses, you may notice the team putting loose chocolates & other items out on display - all these cardboard & plastic outer boxes are returned to our Dorset chocolate kitchen HQ for re-filling & last us a very long time!
Finally, in our cafes, we also offer paper straws, compostable takeaway drinks cups & gelato tubs, wooden spoons for gelato & discounts for any customers who request a takeaway drink with a reusable cup. We also stock reusable keepcups, so you can buy one instore on the spot for us to fill with your takeaway drink!