How genesis is actioning sustainable change in packaging?
Our Commitment to Sustainability
At genesis, sustainability is more than just an add-on —it’s a promise woven into the very fabric of our identity. From the beginning, we have committed ourselves to creating beautiful, functional, and ethically responsible products. In a world increasingly defined by urgent environmental challenges, our mission is clear: to design and manufacture labelling and packaging that respects the planet as much as they align with the brands essence. Our work doesn’t stop at aesthetics; it goes far beyond to encompass the entire lifecycle of the product—from responsible sourcing and production through to reuse, recycling, and eventual disposal.
As a forward-thinking business, we understand that sustainability is a continuous journey, not a destination. It requires constant innovation, honest reflection, and evolution. At every level of our organisation, from design to production and logistics, we challenge ourselves to think differently: How can this material be improved? How can this product be made using less resource? What end-of-life pathway are we enabling with this design? These questions shape our decision-making daily and ensure that we remain accountable to both our customers and the planet.
We also recognise the power of transparency. Our commitment is not just about saying the right things—it’s about doing them, measuring the outcomes, and improving over time. We aim to create not just exceptional packaging, but a supply chain that inspires confidence and trust. By focusing on sustainable solutions, genesis is taking an active role in building a better future for our industry, our customers, and the generations to come.
Prioritising Certified and Recycled Materials
One of the most impactful ways we can ensure our products meet rigorous sustainability standards is by focusing on material sourcing. Genesis is proud to work extensively with certified partners, using materials that meet globally recognised benchmarks for environmental responsibility. For example, we use FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper and board, which ensures that the wood fibres come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. FSC certification also includes chain-of-custody tracking, which means that customers can trace the journey of the material from forest to final product—an invaluable level of transparency in today’s marketplace.
But we don’t stop there. Increasing the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content is a key part of our material strategy. By integrating recycled fibers wherever possible, we reduce reliance on virgin resources, lessen our carbon footprint, and help keep valuable materials in circulation. We’re constantly evaluating new substrates and composite materials, including biodegradability in our products and water-based finishes that maintain premium aesthetics without sacrificing recyclability or sustainability. This has led to the introduction of tea based materials, apple leather, seaweed paper, tencel, and recycled TPU within our range of products.
We are proud to be GRS certified, members of Sedex, and this year we became a Bluesign System Partner—a milestone that reinforces our commitment to responsible manufacturing and environmental standards. In line with our targets, we have significantly increased the share of sustainable products in our offering, reaching 70.5% in 2024–25, up from 54.9% the previous year. Today, our main product portfolio consists entirely of sustainable products, reflecting our dedication to reducing environmental impact.
Our supply chain is also carefully curated. We build long-term partnerships with vendors and mills that share our commitment to ethical and environmental practices. This approach allows us to maintain consistency in our offerings while ensuring compliance with evolving international standards such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances).
Ultimately, the goal is to empower our customers to make informed, responsible choices. We provide material guidance, certifications, and technical data sheets, as required, with all our projects, helping brands achieve their own environmental goals without compromising on quality or design. By using responsibly managed resources, and embracing recycled content, genesis is actively contributing to a circular economy—one beautiful, high-performing product at a time.
Product Innovation That Supports Circularity
Innovation is a cornerstone of our sustainability efforts, especially when it comes to product design and construction. At genesis, we firmly believe that thoughtful design can be a powerful force for environmental change. By rethinking traditional packaging structures and components, we’re finding new ways to reduce waste, improve recyclability, and ultimately close the loop.
One key area of focus has been eliminating non-recyclable and non-renewable elements from our packaging designs. Historically, luxury packaging has relied on lamination, double-sided tapes, and embedded magnets—components that make the product harder or even impossible to recycle. We’ve taken a bold step away from these industry norms by engineering alternative construction methods that are just as effective but significantly more sustainable. This includes using origami-inspired folds, slot-and-lock assemblies, and recyclable paper fasteners that remove the need for mixed-material adhesives.
For our popular rigid boxes and gift packaging, we’ve invested in closures that don’t rely on traditional magnets or foam inserts. We engineer packaging and develop innovative locking mechanisms, friction-fit lids, and integrated tuck flaps—all made from recyclable or biodegradable materials. These innovations not only simplify recycling at the end of life but also reduce the different types of material used overall.
Innovation and evolution at genesis is always dynamic. We continuously review industry developments, customer feedback, and environmental trends to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s incorporating compostable materials, experimenting with plant -based materials, or integrating QR codes to guide users on responsible disposal, we are constantly evolving our product line to be smarter, greener, and more responsible.
Responsible Global Production with Local Impact
While we work with partners around the world to meet the diverse needs of our customers, we do so with a firm commitment to ethical and environmentally conscious practices. Our international production network—including key operations in the UK—allows us to offer both flexibility and sustainability at scale.
Every decision we make regarding production is weighed against its environmental impact. Where feasible, we produce closer to the point of consumption to reduce transportation emissions. Our UK-based manufacturing capabilities enable us to offer local solutions for domestic brands, cutting down on freight distances and providing faster, more responsive service. Where international production is required, we favour sea freight over air, significantly reducing CO2 emissions associated with product transport.
Sustainability also informs who we choose to work with. All genesis production partners must meet a strict set of criteria, relating to code of conduct and centered around independent audited certifications. These agreements ensure that our products are not only environmentally sound but also produced under fair, safe, and responsible working conditions.
We value long-term relationships over short-term gains. We have worked together with many of our partners for years, some from the very start, and this continuity allows us to invest in shared sustainability goals—like reducing energy use, upgrading machinery to more efficient models, and improving workplace conditions. We also conduct regular audits and site visits to verify that standards are upheld and that every genesis product reflects the values we promise our clients.
By managing a global network through a sustainability lens, we’re able to offer clients the best of both worlds: international scale and local integrity. Wherever a box is produced in the world our customers can trust that it meets the same high standards for sustainability, quality, and accountability.
Our Path Forward: Sustainability in Action
At genesis, our approach to sustainability is comprehensive, deliberate, and always evolving. It begins with material selection, where we prioritise certified and recycled resources that promote responsible forest management and reduce waste. It continues through innovative product design, where we replace traditional, non-recyclable components with intelligent alternatives that support circularity and end-of-life recyclability. And it extends to our global production, where we minimise emissions, uphold ethical labour practices, and build long-term relationships with responsible suppliers.
These components—certification, innovation, and ethical global production—are not separate initiatives but interwoven threads of the same commitment. Together, they represent our belief that beautiful packaging can also be innovative, sustainable, and socially responsible. We don’t view sustainability as a trade-off or compromise; we see it as a non-negotiable within every design.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to raising the bar for ourselves and our industry. That means supporting our partners in sustainable upgrades, and helping our customers tell more responsible stories through their packaging. We will continue to listen, learn, and lead—always with an eye on the broader environmental context and a deep respect for the people and planet behind every product. Based on our sustainability policy and forward-thinking roadmap, we are resolute in reducing our environmental impact through the integration of various practices spanning from product design to our workspace setup.
In short, sustainability at genesis is not a single initiative—it’s embedded in our culture. And we’re proud to be helping shape a more sustainable future, one package at a time.