The following is Love Running’s own Environmental Statement, as decided by us (the owners) and influenced by the Chamber of Commerce “Green Impact” scheme and environmental groups such as “Surfers Against Sewage” (IOW branch) and Friends of the Earth.
Firstly, we are both vegan and therefore strive to ensure that ALL our products are cruelty-free, animal-free, environmentally-friendly and sustainable where possible. Whilst technical running fibres are largely synthetic and therefore difficult to label as “environmentally-friendly”, we do endeavour to source from reliable, fairly-traded and fairly-made companies, and advise customers to wash and care for their garments in an environmentally-friendly way (ie: washing on 30 degrees and NOT using harsh chemicals or fabric conditioners). We do not stock products that contain leather, suede, silk or wool.
We do not use plastic carrier bags or packaging materials; all our bags are locally sourced, unbleached, paper carriers. Bringing your own “Bag For Life” with you when you shop is even better though!
Our cardboard waste from deliveries is taken away for recycling by a local Waste collector certified under the “Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011”. They also take any recyclable plastic wrappings whenever we have a bag full (once or twice a year). We generate very little non-recyclable waste, and any green waste from food and drink on the premises is now put into our new compost bin at work.
We have moved over to LED lighting in the shop-windows, and try not to use any air-conditioning/heating unless absolutely necessary. Lighting is not overly harsh on the shop floor, and the radio is kept at a low level to help welcome all visitors, and especially with any sensitive mental health issues such as Aspergers/Autism.
We endeavour to use only cruelty-free, non-harmful and vegan cleaning products around the shop and office, and buy British brands such as Astonish as much as possible.
We fully support the “Shop Local” ethic, and buy food and goods from other Newport retailers as much as possible, so you know that for every pound you spend in our shop 80% of the “profit portion” goes back into the local economy. We are members of Newport Business Association and work with others to promote a clean, exciting and functioning Town Centre. We fully support independent traders, local environmental improvements and initiatives to improve sustainability on the IOW.
In January 2019 we were awarded “Plastic Free Champion” status by Surfers Against Sewage, and a bronze award from the Green Impact scheme. We are currently working to turn this into silver or gold! The Plastic-Free award has encouraged us to talk to other local businesses about the reduction of single-use plastics in town, and in February 2019 we launched a brand new project called “Proud to be Plastic Free”. See the pages about this under the NBA tab!