3M
3M and its employees around the world are driven by an ambition to use a passion for science to reimagine what’s possible. Its sustainability efforts are focused on three pillars: Science for Circular, Science for Climate and Science for Community.
As part of its circularity endeavour, the 3M Consumer Business Group, which represents $4.9 billion (£3.8 billion) in global sales, is committed to using only recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030. This goal aims to meet evolving customer and consumer needs while reducing environmental impact.
A key objective of this effort is the elimination of plastic packaging where possible. However, this transition presents unique challenges in the presentation of products in retail environments. Plastic is an inexpensive, versatile, lightweight and transparent material that provides consumers with an unrestricted view of items at the point of purchase. This visibility helps customers understand the product and its application. Therefore, moving to 100% recyclable and reusable packaging can pose difficulties.
To address these issues, 3M focused on shopper insights and innovation to develop environmentally friendly solutions. Multiple rounds of research supported decision-making processes, helping teams grasp the dynamics of the purchase decision hierarchy in physical and virtual store environments. This research led to the implementation of numerous global packaging innovation projects.
In 2025, 3M will implement a major brand packaging relaunch involving several years of planning and investment in new technology. This is forecast to eliminate over 500 metric tons of plastic by the end of 2027 in Europe by shifting to 100% plastic-free and fibre-based packaging with FSC certification. Specific details will be shared at the launch this summer.
These initiatives not only underscore 3M’s environmental commitment but also highlight the company’s innovative approach to overcoming the challenges of changing to more sustainable solutions.
BIC
Guided by the founding principle to use only what’s necessary, BIC continually innovates to manufacture locally produced, long-lasting products using the minimum of materials, helping to limit its environmental impact. In support of this aim, BIC prioritises a value-engineering approach, refining designs to cut down on raw materials utilised in products and packaging.
Enhancing well-known and much-loved products presents a unique challenge, as they have already been created with efficiency in mind and have often been fine-tuned over time. BIC’s dedicated team aims to capitalise on its manufacturing expertise, as well as the latest innovations, to find ways of finessing designs so that fewer resources are used without compromising quality.
In 2023, efforts centred on reworking the materials in the iconic BIC 4 Colors ballpoint pen. This redesigned pen, with its lighter clip and BIC Boy silhouette, saves the equivalent amount of plastic required to produce over 2.6 million of the same pens annually.
The new design is lighter for consumers to use while maintaining everything that makes this pen so special: its attractiveness, ability to write up to 6 km and its affordability.
Blake
Blake’s mission is to be: “Positively passionate, consistently caring and sustainably sound from beginning to end.’’ The company aims for absolute sustainability at every touchpoint – from the first contact with Blake to the delivery of the final product. This dedication to environmental responsibility is reflected in its numerous accreditations, including ISO 9001, 14001 and 27001. Blake also holds EcoVadis Silver status and is registered with Two Sides and Sedex, reinforcing its pledge to sustainable practices.
With a focus on building a greener future, over 65% of its range is sustainable and features FSC, PEFC and SFP-certified materials. From envelopes made from 100% recycled materials to biodegradable envelopes that utilise a corn-starch window film as a plastic substitute, Blake offers an eco-friendly solution for every need.
Environmental ranges:
- Blake Environmental: A collection of eco-friendly envelopes, ranging from FSC-certified options to recycled versions in various shades.
- Blake Pure: The whitest recycled envelopes in the world, made from FSC-certified materials.
- VITATM: A sustainable, paper-based replacement to plastic e-commerce packaging.
- Blake Everyday: A range with a minimum of 80% recycled content, available in over 148 products across 36 sizes.
Blake has now introduced the Honeycomb Eco Padded Mailer, a paper-based alternative to traditional padded mailers. With a durable kraft exterior, honeycomb cushioning, and a tamper-evident seal, this fully biodegradable solution offers both protection and peace of mind. Bespoke printing and custom sizing are also available.
Brother UK
Louise Marshall, Director of ESG and Organisational Development at Brother UK:
Businesses continue to face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact, requiring vendors to pioneer innovative solutions that extend product life cycles, enhance performance and improve quality – making sustainable progress more achievable.
Last year, Brother became the first print vendor to remanufacture both toner and inkjet cartridges, following the launch of a new remanufacturing operation at its Recycling Technology Centre in Wrexham, North Wales. Building on two decades of experience in toner remanufacturing, this service now saves 5,300 tonnes of CO2 each year.
Businesses can return used inkjet cartridges to Brother free of charge using special envelopes included in-box. These consumables are then inspected, disassembled, cleaned, reassembled with any necessary parts, and refilled with Brother Original ink – ensuring they meet the same quality standards as new products.
Beyond the ecological benefits, there are economic opportunities too. The inkjet remanufacturing operation has created 20 new green jobs at the Wrexham facility, where Brother also guarantees zero waste to landfill. This demonstrates how vendors can lead meaningful environmental change while driving business performance.
Channel partners also play a crucial role in connecting customers with these emission-reducing solutions. By equipping resellers with products that are easier and more efficient to remanufacture, Brother can help them as they support customers in meeting sustainability targets.
Cawston Press
Since 1986, Cawston Press has remained committed to its core principles, refusing to take shortcuts in the creation of its drinks and challenging standard industry practices. As of February 2024, the company is proud to be certified as a B Corp.
Its mission is to raise the standards of ingredients and production across the soft drinks category, driven by a commitment to ‘do right.’ This ethos is reflected in purposeful sustainability objectives, including a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050. To drive meaningful change, Cawston Press has calculated the carbon footprint of its most popular and complex drinks, identifying areas where the greatest difference can be made.
Efforts are also underway to cut emissions at its head office. They are ambitious targets, but with support from the SME Climate Hub’s tools and guidelines, alongside expert partners at Net Zero International, it is confident in achieving its goals.
One of the biggest challenges Cawston Press faces is packaging and the team is constantly seeking more environmentally friendly solutions. Most packaging is made from 100% FSC-certified card rather than plastic and the company has already switched to recyclable paper straws.
Work is also ongoing to make the entire range fully recyclable – such as finding a solution for the sleeves that hold straws – and educating consumers on how to recycle them, ie pushing straws inside cartons or dropping the plastic wrappers off for recycling in-store.
This year, new multipack cans are launching across grocery channels, replacing shrink-wrapped versions. The design, made from FSC-certified cardboard, is 100% recyclable and uses a watch strap format to eliminate soft plastic, saving 7.7 tonnes of shrink wrap annually. Rather than a fully enclosed box, this approach provides the same functionality with fewer materials.
COLOP
COLOP has long recognised that sustainability is more than a passing trend – it’s a duty. This principle has been embedded in the company’s operations for years, driving an uncompromising approach to reducing environmental footprint across every aspect of production.
A defining moment came in 2008 with the launch of the Green Line, COLOP’s first stamp range made predominantly from recycled plastic. It set a new standard for eco-friendly office supplies, ensuring that even unavoidable CO2 emissions were offset. Over 90% of COLOP’s stamps now contribute to climate protection projects.
The Green Line continues to evolve, remaining a core part of COLOP’s mission to balance quality with ecological responsibility. Each stamp in the series incorporates between 65% and 80% recycled plastic, while packaging is made from 80% to 100% recycled cardboard. The range’s Classic Green Line stamp handles carry FSC certification, guaranteeing responsible material sourcing.
Beyond its products, the manufacturer upholds rigorous eco standards, holding ISO 14001 certification, with the Green Line’s production process independently audited for compliance. This stamp collection has also been awarded the prestigious Eco-Label of the Republic of Austria, a mark of exceptional environmental performance verified through external evaluation.
COLOP’s commitment doesn’t stop at product development. A robust sustainability strategy guides every stage of production, from resource-efficient industrial design to the near-total recycling of plastic waste. Even with a significantly reduced carbon footprint, the vendor ensures that any residual emissions from its production sites in Austria and the Czech Republic are offset through investment in climate initiatives.
With Green Line leading the charge, the company continues to raise the benchmark in responsible manufacturing, setting an example for the industry and beyond.
Dynamic Office Solutions
In January 2025, Dynamic Office Solutions launched a new sustainable offering – its UK-manufactured Design Soft Seating range. This collection is created with the environment in mind, using only recycled and fully recyclable materials to produce high-quality seating solutions that support a circular economy.
By manufacturing in the UK, Dynamic significantly reduces transport emissions while maintaining full control over the sustainability of its products. The company also works closely with suppliers to ensure all materials, from recycled fabrics and FSC-certified wood to responsibly sourced frames, meet strict environmental standards. This approach not only minimises reliance on virgin materials but also diverts waste from landfill.
Designed for longevity, Design Soft Seating retains its comfort and structure over time, helping businesses avoid unnecessary replacements. Many pieces are modular, allowing workplaces to reconfigure spaces without waste, extending the lifecycle of the furniture. When seating reaches the end of its use, fully recyclable components ensure it can be repurposed rather than discarded.
To further support sustainability, Dynamic offers a bespoke upholstery service, giving companies the option to refresh and extend the life of their seating instead of replacing it. Combined with efforts to reduce packaging waste and repurpose offcuts, the range reflects a commitment to minimising environmental impact at every stage of its life cycle. By prioritising responsible sourcing, efficient production, and end-of-life recyclability, Design Soft Seating represents Dynamic’s shift towards sustainable office furniture.
JGBM
In the workplace supplies sector, JGBM is recognised as a specialist technology distributor. Now, that expertise is being extended into a whole new arena with EcoScore – an innovative sustainable-product ranking system designed to help dealers guide their customers towards responsible purchasing choices.
JGBM’s vision for EcoScore was ambitious: to develop industry-leading, data-driven environmental rankings at SKU level across its product portfolio. Starting with the BOSS Federation’s sustainability categorisation, attributes were refined, adapted and made bespoke for each category. This process involved collating up to 50 factors per SKU, ultimately measuring over 125,000 data points across 40+ brands and 40+ categories.
Compiling such vast vendor data was no small task. Moreover, not all sustainability attributes are created equal – some have a far greater environmental effect than others. To address this issue, a ‘weighted scoring’ mechanism was devised, followed by a custom-built algorithm to rank each product accurately.
EcoScore is available in three tiers: Level 1 is a free, easy-to-read ranking for product pages, based on packaging, content, production and certification. Level 2 is a subscription service providing a detailed score along with granular sustainability content. Level 3 is also subscription-based and grants dealers live access to EcoScore’s complete sustainability dataset for integration into their own systems.
Dealers can access the EcoScore service directly from JGBM or enable it on the Prima Software and Oasis platforms, with further integrations to follow. EcoScore has already gained industry recognition, earning a shortlist spot for the 2025 CRN Sustainability in Tech Awards and playing a key role in JGBM’s 2025 European Office Products Awards Wholesaler of the Year win.
With sustainability becoming a priority across the sector, EcoScore’s credible and transparent product ranking system is set to be an essential tool for dealers looking to stand out by meeting the growing customer demand for greener choices.
Pilot Pen
Pilot Pen has launched the FriXion Ball+, the first erasable pen for adults. Released in January 2025, it blends the brand’s erasable ink technology with an eco-conscious approach to manufacturing.
Designed for functionality, style and sustainability, the FriXion Ball+ allows users to refine ideas and correct mistakes effortlessly. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort and precision, making it ideal for both professional and personal use. Available in black, blue, red and green, it adapts to various writing needs – from office notes to journalling.
Pilot’s commitment to eco-innovation is at the core of the FriXion Ball+. Incorporating over 82% recycled plastic (excluding refills and non-plastic parts), the pen is fully refillable. Refilling it just three times reduces its carbon footprint by 53% compared to buying four separate pens.
The company’s environmental efforts were recognised recently when the Pilot Corporation of Europe received an EcoVadis Gold medal. Scoring 76/100, an 11-point increase from the previous evaluation, Pilot now ranks among the top 5% of companies assessed by the ratings provider.
SC Johnson Professional
Eight million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year. Tackling this challenge can seem overwhelming, but SC Johnson Professional (SCJ) believes organisations’ everyday efforts can really move the dial on sustainability.
The choices businesses make each day – how they use resources, manage waste and select materials – can have a significant impact. For its part, SCJ has narrowed it down to three principles which inform its approach to sustainability: use less, waste less, recycle more. Using less means smarter energy consumption and choosing efficient products.
SCJ’s Refresh FOAM and PowerFOAM hand cleaners, for example, provide up to 57% more washes per litre than conventional lotion format, reducing both product use and waste. As 70% of global waste still ends up in landfill or open dumps, SCJ’s Proline WAVE soap dispenser, made from 70% recovered coastal plastic helps minimise ocean pollution.
Recycling is equally vital: SCJ is committed to using more recyclable materials, such as HDPE hand cleaner cartridges. By making sustainability achievable, dealers can save money, strengthen customer and employee loyalty, and reduce their environmental footprint.
Stabilo
Environmental protection is firmly anchored in Stabilo’s corporate philosophy and sustainability strategy. The stationery manufacturer recently unveiled a comprehensive sustainability initiative called ‘Stabilo Together’, to achieve climate neutrality by the end of 2025. The initiative addresses every aspect of business operations, including raw material sourcing, production, transportation and energy consumption.
Prioritising the lowering of emissions, the manufacturer mitigates unavoidable releases by implementing reduction and offsetting strategies. This approach includes utilising renewable energy at its primary production sites in Weissenburg and the Czech Republic. At the firm’s Malaysian factory, solar panels save 22 tonnes of CO2 each month. Additionally, all manufacturing sites are continuously monitored to optimise energy use and lower emissions.
Stabilo utilises sustainable materials wherever possible. Each year, approximately 150,000 kg of recycled plastic is used in stationery production and all pencils are crafted from FSC-certified oak wood. To further reduce the use of harmful chemicals, 97.5% of ink is water-based.
Recent sustainable product innovations include the Stabilo Grow Ballpoint pen, made from FSC-certified oak wood and biobased plastics. These plastics are derived from renewable resources, including sunflower seed hulls, cellulose and tall oil, minimising the reliance on virgin plastics and reducing CO2 emissions.
In pursuit of its commitment to being climate-neutral, the company has invested €2 million (£1.67 million) in state-of-the-art packaging machines that produce 100% cardboard. By switching materials for more than 120 different types of packaging, Stabilo has reduced plastic waste by 30 tonnes in the last year alone.
Additionally, as part of its sustainability pledge, Stabilo has partnered with carbon offset provider, myclimate, to help maintain an eco-friendly footprint while delivering premium quality products.
Staedtler
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, the Staedtler Noris 307 handwriting pen stands out as a conscientious choice for eco-friendly stationery. Designed with both performance and environmental impact in mind, it’s an essential tool for schools and educators that prioritise sustainability.
A key feature is its housing, which is made from 97% recycled plastic, making it one of the most environmentally friendly writing instruments available. By utilising reclaimed materials, Staedtler reduces plastic waste, consequently lowering its carbon footprint.
The Noris handwriting pen also boasts Dry Safe ink technology, a game-changing feature that prevents ink from drying out even when left uncapped for several days. This innovation extends the pen’s lifespan, meaning fewer pens are discarded and less plastic waste is generated. This makes the Noris handwriting pen a resource-friendly option for classroom use and beyond.
In addition to its eco-conscious materials and technology, the Noris handwriting pen is built for durability. Its robust design ensures it can withstand the demands of daily use, cutting down on the need for frequent replacements. This longevity further supports sustainability by minimising waste over time.
Staedtler’s commitment to the environment is evident not only in the pen’s materials but also in its design and performance. The pen combines eco-friendly features with practical benefits, helping students and teachers alike lessen their ecological impact while still enjoying a reliable and effective writing tool.
By choosing the Staedtler Noris handwriting pen, dealers are supporting sustainability without compromising on quality – an ideal choice for a greener future.
