From a very early stage in my studies but also career as an entrepreneur, I was very much interested in the sustainability aspect of all things around baking. Of course back in 2013, thinking sustainable was not part of the game so we had to overcome significant challenges and shape a different mindset. The 5 steps I have taken to make my business sustainable are:
Reduction on packaging: One of our early steps we did in Arapina, in order to move towards a more sustainable business was to reduce all packaging and wrapping that was unnecessary, i.e. the paper case from our cupcakes. While there is something indulging in peeling the case of a cupcake, one can also agree that is unnecessary. Our cupcakes are naked and proud to be!
Moreover and while we have invested in our branded packaging we simultaneously have adopted a no carry bag approach. We always recommend to our customers to bring their own bags with them and we are even happy to serve you in your won (clean!) tupperwear. Afterall the planet is way more important than our brand.
100% renewable resources: Arapina was one of the first companies to move to an electricity provider that was generating their energy from 100% renewable resources. While back in the days to find a supplier complying with the above was a novelty, to us it weighted heavy in our decision making process. We changed as soon as these suppliers became available in the wider market and we have never looked back.
Right credentials on packaging: What does your packaging stand for? In Arapina we only use recyclable, upcycled or biodegradable high quality packaging. You see our culture is not that of a throw away one and were possible are packaging is reused (obviously not from a customer to a customer!).
Recycled food: In the same way we reuse our packaging we do the same with our food. We have created some amazing recipes, where older stock is used in a reinvented highly imaginative way and in fact they have proven to be some of our best sellers! No hints given but have you tried our bread pudding?😉
Sustainable business culture: Above all though, I am most proud of my entire team and myself taking part in creating a sustainable business culture, where respect, open communication, quality of character and humanity come first in the business decisions we take forward. This is truly perhaps our most important achievement so far: the shaping of a new entrepreneurial world and conduct of business where the values of the business and the humanity of the professional weights more than the turnover. Join us in this exciting journey ahead and help us make a better future, for the sake of all of us!
Be very concrete, and list even small adjustments or decisions you’ve made that helped you make Arapina a more eco-friendly bakery. Is sustainability more expensive? Does it take a lot of effort to make a sustainable business? What do you find the most challenging on this path?
Michaela Pontiki
