When it comes to sustainability the devil is in the detail. Our eco easy glossary cuts through the jargon so you can make informed buying choices.

B is for…

Better Cotton

We source our organic cotton exclusively from a supplier who is signed up to the Better Cotton initiative, the largest cotton sustainability project in the world. It helps cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.

B Corp

B Corp is an independent certification group. Companies can only achieve B Corp status by meeting provable high standards in terms of their social and environment impact. We’ve applied and met the criteria and are currently waiting accreditation.

C is for…

Carbon neutral

Carbon neutral means achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon through offsets, like tree planting. While net zero carbon means making changes to reduce carbon emissions to the lowest amount. We’re pursuing both at TT.

Circular economy

We’ve heard some complicated definitions for ‘circular economy’ but its meaning is relatively simple: It’s about producing products that are more durable, reusable, repairable and recyclable so they can be kept in circulation for as long as possible. It’s about minimising waste and is a counterpoint to a throwaway concept like fast fashion. So to take an example of our host games, they are built to last so once you have finished with them you can take them to the charity shop for others to enjoy. We’re also looking at introducing rental schemes so that, for example. If you need 50 bud vases for your wedding – a one off event – you can rent and return them so they will have a longer life and multiple uses.

E is for…

Ecologi

It’s now common knowledge that one of the best tools to tackle the climate crisis and keep our temperatures from rising above 1.5C is to plant trees. They are also crucial in preventing ecological collapse. Ecologi provides both companies and individuals with the opportunity to plant trees via projects involving local communities in countries like Kenya – over 40 million so far. Trees take time to grow, and so it also provides more immediate impact opportunities like funding wind farms. TT does both. For example, we are replanting trees to support our forests and replace the trees used to make our paper products and games.

F is for…

FSC

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC's certification system enables businesses and consumers to choose paper products made with materials from responsibly managed, renewable forests. TT has held an FSC licence for 10 years.

G is for

Glitter

Glitter contains micro plastics which can end up in our oceans where, because they are so small, they are consumed by marine life. TT is no longer using glitter in our new products.

Glass

Glass is highly durable and long lasting. So items like our candle holders can be brought put again and again for celebrations. Glass can also be recycled. We’re currently introducing recycled glass into our ranges.

Green washing

Green washing is  a particularly deceptive marketing spin whereby companies give the false impression that their products are more environmentally sound that they are. Buzzwords and unsubstantiated claims are an indication that you are being greenwashed. Look out for evidence to back up any claims, or better, still, credible third party endorsement – see B Corp.

H is for…

Helium

Helium as a gas is lighter than air which is why it has been used in inflating  balloons. But it’s a very limited resource and is used for loads of important functions – like cooling special magnets used in MRI scanners in hospitals. So we don’t recommend its use for balloons.

Home compostable

Our home compostable napkins are made of materials that fully decompose into the soil. This includes any printing ink and paper. This summer we are debuting our first home compostable trivia game.

Home recyclable

There are different types of recyclable. You may have seen the phrase ‘recycle in store’ which means you need to take the item to a ‘participating’ store, if you put it in your home bin it will end up in landfill. Our products are home recyclable, which means you can simply pop them in your home waste bin.

L is for…

Laminated

Lamination contains plastic and is used to make a product more durable, for instance protecting boxes that contain games and puzzles from general knocks and spillages. On the downside this prevents the item from being recyclable, but on the plus it significantly increases its lifespan. We are increasingly using varnishes in place of lamination. They don’t yet offer the same durability for larger items but manufacturers are constantly making improvements.

N is for…

Net zero

The term net zero means achieving a balance between the carbon released into the atmosphere, and the carbon removed from it. This balance – or net zero – will happen when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount removed. There’s a global target to achieve net zero by 2050. We don’t think that’s good enough and aim to be net zero by 2030.

O is for…

Organic cotton

The production of organic cotton uses less pesticides, releases fewer greenhouse gases and, due to the improved soil quality, uses significantly less water than conventional cotton. All our fabric items – including bunting and tablecloths – are made from organic cotton. We also source from a Better Cotton supplier (see above).

R is for…

Reusable

Where a product cannot be recycled we ensure it’s built to last so you can use it again and again. Or ‘recycle’ it via a charity shop so someone else can enjoy it. See ‘circular economy’.

S is for…

Single use plastic

Single use plastic items are those intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. Straws are an example – legislation banned plastic straws in 2020. We’re well along the path of phasing out single use plastics: 87% of our spring/summer 22 collection is free from single-use plastic, a figure that rises to 91% for autumn/winter. This year we will remove all plastic packaging from our birthday candles and from inside our puzzles.

T is for…

Tree planting

See Ecologi.