Environment
Being part of the solution for environmental progression is a cornerstone to our idea of success.
Our journey of environmental progression and positivity is an ongoing process. We are continuously listening and learning with an open mind and using our knowledge to create ideas and solutions for progression. To us, being part of the solution with a genuine ambition to improve our current environmental position means going above and beyond footprint reduction of our own activities. It
involves a broader understanding of environmental sustainability, which strives not only to improve our businesses footprint but to also improve the position of humankind.
Our strategy towards environmental progression has two separate arms which can be broken down into the below.
• Reducing the footprint of our businesses i.e. looking at what materials we use, how we ship, and what packaging we use.
• Supporting environmental progression for humankind. Examples include supporting a connection to nature, mutualistic agriculture, carbon sequestration and wildlife.
Supporting Nature
A key factor in bringing our planet in line with the environmental health it needs to sustain human life is a movement into a more unified, supportive, and mutualistic relationship with nature. Nature provides clean air for us to breathe, nutritious food for us to eat and clean water for us to drink. It’s a complex system and it all works together, so by harming any part of its web, we harm its total health and
therefore, the health of human existence. To support a progressed relationship with nature we pledge 10% of our end-of-year profits to eco-system-focused environmental progression and conversation via our charity: The Natural Community Trust. By allowing eco-systems to flourish, we support environmental health and therefore the health of humanity.
The Natural Community Trust (Launching in 2023)
Mission: To acquire land and use the land to support solutions to our climate crisis, through a focus on a more harmonious and symbiotic relationship with the natural world. Always leading with the mindset that nature knows best, and that natural systems, low-intervention, and natural mimicry should be the foundation and guiding principle for our activity.
Further details to follow with our launch.
Precious Metals
Precious metals are fundamental when creating fine jewellery however, the mining of virgin metals can be highly problematic for the environment. Metal mining often involves the destruction of natural environments and the use of toxic pollutants such as mercury and cyanide, which choke surrounding environments and ecosystems. Tracing metals back to their source is also difficult. As precious metals are easy to re-use it makes using a recycled option a no-brainer. Apart from a small number of components, which are manufactured beyond our control, all our jewellery is made from recycled precious metals. Non-recycled components will be sign-posted in product descriptions, and we are working to move these components to recycled.
Quality
We want to create quality jewellery that lasts multiple lifetimes and can be handed down through generations with sentimentality, fondness, and positivity. As well as creating extended value through a longer product life cycle you also decrease the need for new items and therefore the environmental pressure of creating those new items.
For this we use skilled manufacturing and solid metals only. We do not create any plated or vermeil jewellery as we believe this directly conflicts with environmental progression and is innately poor quality by being made to be temporary.
Leading with this mindset also supports a culture which places value on product quality with an expectation that things should last, which we see as a key aspect of environmental progression.
Making
Apart from a small number of components all our jewellery is hand-made in London and is transported via bicycle, public transport or a renewably charged electric vehicle. This means it maintains a low shipping footprint from its outset. The components that are not manufactured in London are items such as chains where we need an international manufacturer to produce them. Components made outside of London will be sign-posted in product descriptions.
Renewable Energy Scheme
As part of our efforts to look beyond the footprint of our own activities and to use our business as a tool for wider change, we have created a renewable energy scheme aimed to incentivise greener energy use. Switching to a renewable energy supplier is easy and will not cost you extra in bills.
If you can send us proof that your home is powered by renewable energy, we will offer 10% off your purchase. Please send us proof that you are signed up to a renewable energy supplier and a separate document that proves that you live at that address.
Re-making
Although our jewellery is made to last multiple lifetimes, we know that over time you can sometimes lose interest in the style of a piece of jewellery or it may have negative associations. To have a new piece of jewellery with new energy, you can give us any BLEUE BURNHAM jewellery to be melted down and made into a new piece. We offer a 20% discount on the same metal when returning to account for the metal we receive back.
Packaging
We have taken time and consideration to ensure that our packaging is environmentally low footprint, biodegradable and has value and alternative purpose beyond jewellery. All our jewellery comes in an organic cotton velvet pouch which is naturally dyed blue using Clitoria Ternatea and features organic cotton embroidery. In addition to the velvet pouch, our jewellery also comes with a box made from recycled fibres and renewable energy, a brand booklet and a polishing cloth.
Pearls
All pearls we use are sourced from antique jewellery. We source from a network across the UK and dismantle and re-assemble into their new designs in London between our atelier and our partner pearl stringer in London’s prestigious Piccadilly. We welcome all feedback and ideas.
