Our commitments

Environmental Standards

Most of our environmental footprint is decided by two choices, the factories we place orders with and the freight we book. These are the standards we apply to both.

Factory assessment before we buy

Every factory we place an order with is assessed on waste handling, energy use and chemical management before we buy. The assessment is recorded and stays on file for the client, so the basis for the decision is visible rather than assumed.

Waste handling and disposal practices reviewed on site or by documented evidence
Energy use and equipment condition noted against the process being run
Chemical storage, handling and discharge checked for the product category

Freight choices and the trade-off

We consolidate orders into full container loads wherever volumes allow, and we default to sea freight over air. When a client needs to expedite, we book it and we state the trade-off in writing rather than quietly switching mode.

Consolidation across orders and suppliers where the timeline permits
Sea freight as the default, air only when speed is the stated requirement
The environmental cost of expediting disclosed at the time of the decision

Packaging specified, not inherited

We specify recyclable, right-sized packaging by default. Where a factory over-packs, we correct it at the factory rather than after the goods land in Australia, because correcting it here means the material has already been shipped.

Recyclable materials specified in the purchase order
Carton sizing checked against the product rather than left to the supplier
Over-packing corrected before dispatch

Questions about this

If you want the detail behind any of these standards, or you want to raise a concern, get in touch and a person will answer.

Contact Open Dock