Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - March/April 2021

INDUSTRY NEWS 11 LUCY’S FARM LAUNCHES NEW POSTAGE SERVICE Card and giftware company Lucy’s Farm has set up a new service where it will send out a card on your behalf – whether for a special occasion or just to keep in touch with loved ones. Lucy says: “Rather than us sending out your greetings card order and then you sending it to the recipient, we thought we could make it easier. Once you order your card, you let us know your message in the ‘order comments’ box once you reach checkout. We then handwrite it for you and send it on your behalf to keep costs down and also to give the exhausted postmen and women one less trip.” There is a selection of cards to choose from the Dog, Moo, Donkey and Pig selfie range. Cards cost £3.45 and include the card, VAT and postage. To see the full range of gifts and to order, visit Lucy’s Farm www.lucysfarm.co.uk EXACOMPTA CLEAN’SAFE® RANGE NOMINATED FOR PRESTIGIOUS EUROPEAN AWARDS ExaClair Limited, the UK subsidiary of the Exacompta- Clairefontaine group, has been shortlisted in the upcoming 2021 European Office Product Awards (EOPA). The new Clean’Safe® range of stationery products has been nominated for the ‘Product of the Year’ award, which recognises new innovative products. The initial selection of Exacompta® filing and desktop accessories was created as a result of an increasing demand for healthier working environments, whether that be in the office or at home. As such, the products are treated with an antimicrobial additive, which eliminates 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. Due to popular demand, the collection has now been expanded to feature new Clean’Safe® notebooks with Clairefontaine’s premium 90gsm writing paper. Lawrence Savage, marketing manager at ExaClair, was delighted with the nomination: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award. It really is a testament to the innovation and effort of those involved in the design and manufacturing processes of the range.” Commenting on the range itself, he added: “The health of our families, friends and colleagues has become a key issue. Especially for all those having to combine working from home with going into the office, the Clean’Safe® range allows employees to return to work and share files without worrying about cross contamination.” In addition to the Clean’Safe® collection, Exacompta® ExaScreen PPE equipment was also introduced to help businesses adapt and maintain current social distancing guidelines. The range provides a selection of protective screens, visors, masks and signage products, which are suitable for use within a comprehensive variety of office, retail and educational working environments. All the winners of the EOPA awards will be announced before the end of March.  SHARED EARTH DECARBONIZES SHIPPING; SWITCHES TO BIOFUELS Shared Earth has decarbonized its shipping by switching from fossil fuels to biofuels. As of January 2021, the company’s supply chain (air, road and sea), became 100% carbon-neutral, resulting in zero CO2 emissions. Shared Earth is working with GoodShipping, a sustainability pioneer in the Netherlands, and is switching from fossil fuels to biofuels. Jeremy Piercy says, “These biofuels are made from waste, they don’t compete with food production, nor do they involve any change in land use, deforestation or loss of biodiversity. When we heard of GoodShipping, we jumped straight on board! The company works on the ‘mass balance’ principle, whereby the volume of biofuel that will neutralize our emissions is fuelled into another ship that would otherwise have run on fossil fuels. “As all CO2 from shipping is emitted into the same atmosphere, reducing these emissions is equally effective, regardless of which ship uses the biofuels. This approach allows for immediate impact, whilst having the same net effect in reducing global emissions and averting climate change. “We’re also extending this approach so it covers the journeys by truck from our producers to their overseas port, and deliveries from our warehouse to our customers in the UK. “With weather patterns changing, floods, fires and droughts on the up, the world faces potential disaster. We still have time to prevent this catastrophe, however. But we need to act now. As businesses, we can play a huge part in reducing carbon emissions, saving our oceans and our wildlife. What type of products are we selling? Are raw materials sustainable? Are fossil fuels a significant factor in production, packaging and transportation? Shared Earth is already a UK leader in supplying low or zero carbon recycled and sustainable products. Now, their transport will be completely carbon-free too.” www.sharedearth-trade.co.uk