Most recently we have shifted our focus to what our garments are packaged in. We have extensively researched the most sustainable way to send out your lovely garments. And are proud to launch our sustainable packaging option! 

As much as we would love to provide these sustainable packaging materials as an added bonus to your shopping experience, we must give some responsibility to our customers to help cover some of the costs. Sustainability must also be thought about when running a business. We knew we wanted to offer sustainable eco-packaging so during our research we crunched some numbers. 

The Cost Break Down

Our old poly bags cost about .20 cents a piece (or about $60 for packaging 300 orders a month), the new poly bags made from 100% recyclable material costs about .56 a piece (about $168 for packaging 300 orders a month). Because this cost wasn't a huge dig into our margins, we upgraded to recycled poly bags and started to phase out the old poly bags. 

The box however costs €1.59 per box (so about $477 for 300 orders a month)

So breaking it down...just for the materials and at our current order volume of 300 orders a month

Old Poly Bags = $60 a month / $720 for the year

New Recycled Poly Bags = $168 a month / $2,016 for the year 

Standard Recyclable Box for 1 to 2 Garments = $477 a month / $5,724 for the year

As a small business the difference between $720 a year versus $5,724 a year can make a huge difference especially when that is just the cost of a single component of running a business. A poly bag and a box.

Shipping in a box also increases costs with the Post Office because it weighs more than the poly bags and has more volume.

With all that being said...with you choosing just for only two extra dollars at checkout to ship your order in our sustainable packaging, you will help alleviate the cost of just the supplies...therefore not only making this sustainable for the Earth (all materials can be recycled) but sustainable for us as a small business.

Here is how our Eco-Packaging Works:

First, we start off by assessing what sized box is needed for the order. It is important to us that we don't over package your orders, and waste materials.  Next, we carefully wrap the garments in recycled tissue paper. The finishing touch are some beautiful dried flowers and our thank you postcard. (Compost the flowers, recycle the card)

Rest assured, we have also phased our traditional poly bags out, and are instead choosing to use bags that are not only made out of recycled material, but can also be reused again, so if you have a return to make, please reuse the bag your order was shipped in!

So, if you cannot afford to spend the extra cash on our sustainable packaging option, your order will still arrive in packaging that is less harmful to the environment. We believe there is always room for growth and we hope that this step is the first of many more sustainable ideas and solutions at mypiggywiggy. We think it is important to do what we can and try our best while still sustaining the growth of mypiggywiggy and the profitability of the business.

Your clothes don't have to be expensive for you to be sustainable. While it's amazing that so many sustainable brands are cropping up, sustainable fashion (when purchased new) often comes with a larger price tag. We recognize that not everyone has that luxury or option, so we want to offer up some shopping and buying tips so you can become a more conscious consumer. 

If you don't absolutely love something, don't buy it. If the garment doesn't add to your personal style or help you better define or discover that, then don't buy it. If it doesn't make you happy and you don't feel good/confident or like a pre-Raphaelite Nymph Goddess in it, then don't buy it. It will just sit in your closet until you decide someday to donate it barely worn and loved. (Though this might great for a future "vintage clothing" seller 30 years from now! *lol* Whoa, 2019 cotton lace camisole in MINT condition!) 

Think about the versatility of each piece before you commit. Can you work it to work? Dress it up, dress it down? Does it require special undergarments to be worn?

When shopping for new clothes, think about the longevity of each piece before you purchase it. How long will you wear it for? How often do you see yourself wearing this garment? Can you see yourself wearing it next year? The year after?

 Is it a garment that if you wear it next year your friends wouldn't go "Augh, a cream midi skirt, like really, Janet? That's so last year." 

Ask Yourself These Questions to Better Practice Sustainable Shopping.

1. Do you absolutely love it?  

2. Can you see yourself wearing it this same time next year?

3. Can you wear it a few different ways and for at least 2 seasons out of the year?

If you can answer YES! to all three, then you're making a thoughtful buying decision! 

If you're IFFY on any of these three, then maybe think about it some more and come back to it when you've reassessed your wardrobe. If you can say NO to at least one, then your decision should be easy.

Here at mypiggywiggy, we are very intentional about the styles we choose for the shop. We may dip our toes a little bit in the fashion trend pool, but we try to keep all of our silhouettes, colors, and prints as classic and timeless as possible and within the same color families so past pieces you may have purchased from us can pair easily with newer purchases.

As the head buyer for mypiggywiggy, I ask myself the three main questions above for every single garment as if I was shopping for my own wardrobe. I avoid decoration details, prints, colors, and silhouettes that are too trendy. I have articles of clothing from over 10 years ago that I STILL wear because of these simple guidelines!

While there isn't a 100% sustainable form of fashion... (though buying secondhand/vintage is the closest you will get), being intentional about how you buy your clothes and asking yourself those three questions is good practice to building a better wardrobe that serves you longer!

Cover photo by Briana Morrison for mypiggywiggy