Sustainable Macclesfield delivery company eLOV to fight UK cardboard shortage
Recent years have seen international media reports about a world and UK-wide cardboard shortage.
But an eco-friendly Macclesfield delivery business is doing their bit to address this.
eLOV, started by Macclesfield man Russ Hope (43), will now let their fleet of electric bike delivery riders collect waste cardboard.
They will then give these packaging boxes a second life, being used inside their trailers as shredded cardboard, which ensures an item is safe and remains in place in-transit. Or donating to other like-minded businesses.
The rise of online shopping, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has increased the need for both delivery businesses and corrugated packaging solutions nationwide. And that is where Russ steps in.
"We've started collecting cardboard for small businesses and either taking it to the correct place for a cheaper price, or finding it another use", he said.
"We've shredded loads of cardboard that has been used by in planters Grow Macclesfield, in their amazing community allotment in South Park.
"We collect cardboard for hair salons like Flourish Hair Collective [of Chestergate], Great Rain Barber Shop [of Catherine Street], and more commercial businesses like Jones Associates [of Georges Court].
"We're keen on helping business in that kind of way. And all we say as a guide, if you have a massive wheelie bin, you'd pay around £70-£100 to collect that a month, what we're doing by bike every few weeks is for £20."
eLOV was founded January 2021. Russ and a small team of riders carry packages across the town centre and local area, for a small fee.
Whether you want to surprise someone with a gift, or walk into town but don't want to carry your shopping home, eLOV will do it. And now cardboard waste has been added to the items they can take from you.
"As well as promoting to do the right thing with your resources, we also want to businesses to think is there a way of getting rid of waste in a more cost effective waste to the town infrastructure," Russ also said.
"For example, if you're a small business and your only alternative is to have one of those massive wheelie bins to collect commercial cardboard waste every few weeks. Silklife Foodbank in Macclesfield used to do that.
"But when they kept that outside, all sorts of rubbish was dumped in there. And it is not great when cardboard gets contaminated. So we've started helping the Foodbank [of George Street], with collecting their cardboard, shredding their cardboard and getting re-use out of their cardboard waste wherever they possible can, rather than just going to a pulping facility or potentially to landfill.
"If you have one of those massive wheelie bins, you need a truck to pick it up. And a diesel truck to come and collect something like every month, why not instead get us to come and collect something that weighs a quarter of that every week or so by bike. And the impact of a bike and a trailer or carbo bike and a truck going around Macclesfield is a lot less for the roads themselves.
"It is better for the environment, efficiency and safety."
eLOV will collect and deliver from any local address. And are keen to be a business that changes people's behaviour in regards to the environment, as much as they are about making a profit.
"We want to be that missing piece", Russ added.
"For example, if someone were to order a skip to get rid of heavy waste, they would have to have it delivered to their house on a massive truck. Get a permit. Risk surface blow off and people putting rubbish in there. You create a bit of a problem.
"But if someone is doing a bit of a clear-up, we can quite comfertably come to their house with a trailer, which costs just £20 a time, to collect the stuff we want to get rid of. And you don't have to have a skip on your street. We've got the permit to take it to the waste management centre.
"It is less disruptive for everybody, and less carbon emissions for the planet.
"We also have a bailer so we can bale waste."
The UK is a world leader in the manufacture of cardboard boxes, but the pandemic last year's HGV driver shortage has greatly disrupted the supply chain from source to box.
Inflation with the rising cost of living may mean businesses have to be more resourceful with waste cardboard, rather than buying new material. So why not get Russ to collect yours and make sure it is sustainably dealt with?
According to IBIS World, the US Cardboard industry was worth $68.9 billion on 2019, but recent years have seen the regular growth rate skyrocket, with the industry now being worth $78.1 billion dollars.
According to the same source, the UK is similar with our nation's Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing industry is expected to increase by 3.7% in 2022, significantly higher than the 0.3% year average growth from 2017-2022.
Taking all this into account, could Russ' initiative encourage more businesses to use recycled cardboard, better for both wallets and the environment?
"In the future, we're involved in an exciting cargo bike which is built of sustainable materials and processes, that we are looking forward to sharing more about," he teased.
"We have also just recently launched the collection of soft and single-use plastic recycling collection. [For which you can read more about here].
"Thank you to everyone in Macclesfield for your support."
If you'd like to order eLOV to collect or deliver in Macclesfield, please visit their website.
With Russ' help, the term 'single-use cardboard' could be a thing of the past, one bike at a time.
The business was recognised with a Mayor's Civic Award earlier this year.
They won the Independent Business Civic Award, recognised for their determination to fight the climate crisis.
You can keep up-to-date with them on their Facebook and Instagram.
See Also: Eco-friendly Macclesfield delivery company will now collect your single use plastic
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