We believe it’s a matter of a mindset – and it’s a matter of taking a step in the right direction every day
Reduce energy consumption at our facilities
With simple methods, we have managed to reduce the energy consumption at our headquarters in Ikast. The decrease in consumption was mainly due to the switch to more efficient light bulbs. We are constantly striving to stay updated and looking for new ways to optimize our energy consumption.
Packaging: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
We reuse the packing material to reduce waste. For example, the cardboard boxes that we receive as part of transporting imported goods, are reused in the process of delivering products to our customers. The cardboard boxes will be marked with a sticker for the customer to see that the box is reused, encouraging them to either reuse or recycle the box.
To offer a better alternative to single used plastic shopping bags we have designed a shopper bag made of jute. Jute is a natural fiber, fast growing and an exceptionally durable material. The idea and purpose are to use the shopping bag repeatedly and avoid buying unnecessary plastic bags. Read more about the initiative here
Certification
We seek to address the negative impact within the value chain by using certifications as a method of minimizing risks and securing high levels of product safety. Bloomingville is certified according to STANDARD 100 by OEKOTEX® as certifications are an important step towards reducing the use of chemicals in our textile products. A wide range of our textiles in the Bloomingville MINI collection are OEKOTEX certified. This certification guarantees that the products are harmless in human ecological terms resulting from extensive testing for harmful substances across the textile value chain. We have focus of increasing the numbers of OEKOTEX for the coming seasons. In 2021 we became FSC ® certified - a goal is also to increase the number of products in this range.
A taskforce has been formed to map our supplier base to provide our customer with the best information about the products they purchase. Certification, product portfolios, and rankings are amongst the variables that will be assessed to secure an eco-conscious approach.
An eco-conscious product portfolio
Each year, the Bloomingville Group launches collections from four brands: Bloomingville, Bloomingville MINI, Creative Collection and ILLUME x Bloomingville, including an annual Christmas collection. Many products are made from natural woven materials, such as fast-growing grass like rattan, bamboo, and cane. We strive towards growing an eco-conscious product portfolio by collaborating with several suppliers that only use natural dye in the coloring process applied to products, such as poufs, rugs, and baskets.
Our product assortment consists of a variety of products with sustainable marks. For instance, we market products from recycled glass and sell throws made from recycled cotton. A large selection of products come in recycled wood, such as driftwood, elm wood and reclaimed wood that add a unique feel and personality to our product portfolio. Driftwood is particularly interesting as it covers all kinds of wood that has been washed up on the beach, lake, or river due to winds, tides, or waves. Significant to driftwood is that the type of wood is difficult to identify.
We also offer a significant product category called ‘FOUNDS’. The FOUNDS span across home accessories to furniture and are made from materials that originally have ended their lifecycle. Clever design and innovation make it possible to reuse the items for reselling. The FOUNDS are unique and offered at a limited stock level.
55 wooden items that are either reclaimed or recycled are available on our website as per. December 2022.
Product testing and risk evaluation
We focus on the safety of our products by reviewing, testing, and considering each product carefully with general product safety in mind. Especially high-risk products categorized as toys, kitchenware and lighting must comply with the European standards under the relevant directives to ensure that no harm is done to the end consumer and to reduce environmental risks. We also conduct chemical testing and assessments on products to ensure that they are food approved and fire retardant, nor tested on animals.
The SS23 collections: More than 140 different items (out of 570 new styles) have been tested.
The AW23 collections: More than 190 different items (out of 578 new styles) have been tested.
All tests have conducted at a third-party laboratory.
Read how we test our ceramic food contact materials HERE
Find more information on our sales stop of bamboo melamine products HERE
Recall of products
As described above, product safety is important to us, and we consider each product carefully before deciding to include it in our collections. Despite the many tests we do, we cannot guarantee that we will occasionally fail.
As the responsible company we want to be, we always react when products do not meet our expectations for quality and safety. If we find products unsuitable for sale because they, for example, pose a safety risk, we will withdraw the product - even if the product has been on the market for a long time. We simply prefer to be safe than sorry.
Find recalled products HERE
Responsible sourcing of products
We are working closely with professional agent offices to ensure that our suppliers comply with certain standards. Among our demands is that all our suppliers sign a document, stating that they are committed to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. The UN Global Compact encourages businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, such as securing that the most basic human standards are upheld and respected. Child labor, which is also a part of the principles, is under no circumstances tolerated by Bloomingville.
Consumer safety
We acknowledge the importance of providing our customers with not only beautiful products, but also products that are safe according to European legislation. We commend our professional approach to product safety and our comprehensive vendor manual, which is developed in close collaboration with Bureau Veritas, who are our trusted professional advisors with much knowledge and expertise in this area. The manual contains specific compliance guidelines and is kept up to date annually. The manual is sent to our suppliers, who are required to comply with these guidelines.
We will continue working closely with Bureau Veritas regarding testing, certifications, and CSR-related topics.
Healthy happy workplace
By securing a healthy and safe work environment, Bloomingville is devoted to improving the working conditions for each employee. Driven by ethos of openness and joint responsibility, each employee liaises directly with the team leader between two and three times a year to discuss topics, such as wages, work satisfaction, areas of improvement and topics relating to the work environment and conditions. Also, grievances and other concerns are shared during these meetings and handled professionally and in confidence with respect for the employee.
The staff association is run by a group of employees, representing the different departments of the company. The association organizes several social events, such as Christmas and summer parties, sports activities, games and social get-togethers, inspirational guest speakers, and a lot more.
In accordance with Danish legislation, Bloomingville has a Safety Committee consisting of staff representatives and management to ensure a safe working environment. All our employees have six weeks of holiday each year and are endowed with a private pension scheme. Moreover, every employee is a member of the company health care insurance scheme, which gives the employees the opportunity to attend chiropractor, masseuse or special doctors.
From feedback on employee well-being surveys, we have worked to minimize noise in the office landscape - in September 2021, we have established noise-reducing functionality over each workplace.
In October 2022, an occupational therapist visited all employees in the office and warehouse, to ensure that everyone is sitting/standing correctly, to prevent injuries that could harm the employee.
We care
We are dedicated to supporting local and worldwide non-profit organizations, national campaigns or charities, and since 2020 we have supported below events:
- Sale of discontinued products. The profits were given to charity.
- Products given to local associations, to upcycle, sell, and raise money for charity
- Donation to UNICEF and the Red Cross in support of the victims of the war in Ukraine.
- Donations to charity for The Danish Cancer Society and The Danish Red Cross Youth.
- Donation of products for the establishment of apartments for Ukrainian refugees in Denmark.
- In 2020 we dedicated ourselves as a business corporate partner at UNICEF.
- Anniversary support for UNICEF. In relation to our 20 years anniversary we asked our partners and friends of the house to donate instead of gifts. Both Bloomingville and the staff contributed with donations.
- Project UNICEF – we support kids worldwide by running a campaign for our Hella & Stella dolls (item number 82051494).
- Knus Kræft (Kids Cancer Aid)
- Julehjælpen – donating items for Christmas presents for families in need
- Mødrehjælpen – supplying 37 shops with Christmas items for free for Mødrehjælpen to make profit for benefits of their NGO work
- Albertslund Forsorgshjem – Christmas tableware donated for local Christmas eve celebration for homeless people
- Krisecenter Jylland – donation of Christmas presents for women and children
- Hjælpesporet Herning – gifts for vulnerable families
- Kræftens bekæmpelse – donation of items for Christmas auction (fundraising)
- Easter deco items – donations for elder homes and Kindergartens (local initiatives)
