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How big brand collaboration can nurture sustainable trade of wild-harvested ingredients

The recently created WildCheck platform is already encouraging major brands to realise the benefits sustainable wild-harvested ingredients can have for local ecosystems and communities. 

TRAFFIC encourages others to follow and join forces with companies which are taking steps to ensure their supply chains have the best results for people and also the planet.

The use of wild-harvested plants in medicine, foods and cosmetics goes back many millennia. The demand is still growing, as the trade volume of medicinal and aromatic plant species has increased by 22% since 2000. 

As explored on the WildCheck platform and in the WildCheck report, through collaborative, non-competitive efforts, there are ecological and social opportunities to be gained for the environment and people who depend on harvesting these wild ingredients.

“The collaborative buy-in from end-market stakeholders is vital to adapt the competitive profit-oriented structure of wild plant sourcing in multiple industries,” explains Caitlin Schindler, TRAFFIC Plants Trade Programme Manager.

Encouragingly, big brands such as Twinings, the world-renowned tea company and the second largest UK supermarket chain, Sainsbury's, are already diving deeper into the sourcing of wild-harvested ingredients on their shelves, including using the WildCheck platform.

In a recent event attended by everyday brands from multiple industries, companies recognised how, as critical stakeholders in the wild plant supply chains, they have important roles to play and acknowledged that there are challenges to overcome in the sustainable sourcing of ingredients. 

Business representatives took the opportunity to highlight their ongoing or newly-formed sustainable sourcing activities and discussed non-competitive potential avenues to mitigate against overharvesting and mismanagement of wild species, plus dealing with potential safety concerns of harvest workers and exploitation of them.

Also attended by standard holding organisations, certification bodies and conservation NGOs, businesses were encouraged to form partnerships with other firms and organisations to help share costs and reduce duplication of efforts in addressing current knowledge gaps and action around wild plant ingredients.

“We're ready to help guide companies in making robust progress toward fairer, safer and sustainable wild product supply chains that ultimately work towards various UN Sustainable Development Goals for the environment and support the 1.2 billion people that rely on nature for their basic needs,” says Caitlin went on to explain.

To show unity and commitment to responsible sourcing of wild-harvested ingredients, the attendees were encouraged to sign the We Use Wild Pledge.

What is The Pledge? It's a voluntary, self-led initiative to increase awareness and responsible sourcing of wild-harvested plant ingredients and provides an action framework. 

While the Wild Dozen ingredients offer a starting point, thousands of other plant species used in the medicinal, foods and cosmetics industries need examining, also.

This event took place a few weeks ahead of the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), where TRAFFIC experts will discuss the benefits of innovative approaches, like WildlCheck, to the management and sustainability of trade in CITES-listed medicinal and aromatic plants

Hernan Zunino, Social Impact Manager, Latin America at Twinings, said, “while having a stable demand for wild ingredients is decisive for the communities that collect them, we also have a responsibility to ensure there's a concrete, positive impact for the communities behind them. 

"Knowing exactly where and how our ingredients are produced and collected is a vital and essential part of that work, and any platform, database or group that can help us gain a better understanding brings us a step closer to the sustainable and transparent chain we envision.”

Mike Maunder, Executive Director of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, said, “Cambridge Conservation Initiative is about bringing people together to collaboratively build answers to global conservation challenges. 

"This workshop arranged by TRAFFIC brings the CCI institutions together with the biggest brands to chart the opportunities for shifting the sourcing of wild plant products towards a sustainable and regenerative industry. TRAFFIC, one of CCI’s 10 partners, is a leader in wildlife trade and with particular expertise in wild plant products, exemplifies the skills of the CCI partners during this accelerating biodiversity crisis.”

WildCheck platform is part of TRAFFIC's Wild at Home Project and was built using information from the 2022 report WildCheck: Assessing risks and opportunities of trade in wild plant ingredients report.

WildCheck is an online knowledge and collaboration platform that offers objective insights and advice on sourcing wild ingredients to support business, investment, and policy scoping, as well as consumer education. WildCheck connects a broad set of partners in their commitment to responsibly-sourced wild ingredients through the We Use Wild Pledge.

Wild at Home Project: Using Markets for Wild Ingredients to Support Conservation and Rural Livelihoods https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/projects-and-approaches/promoting-sustainable-trade/wild-at-home/.

TRAFFIC's Wild at Home project acknowledges the generous funding from the Swedish Postcode Foundation.

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Make sure your cocktails are smokin' hot with Flavour Blaster!

If you are the kind of person who wants to add the "wow" factor to home entertaining, then you can now follow in the footsteps of the world’s top restaurants and cocktail mixologists.

Flavour Blaster, which creates unique smoke-filled bubbles which sit atop of everything from cocktails to culinary masterpieces, has become a massive hit with professionals across the entire hospitality industry.

And now anyone who wants to recreate this experience for themselves, their family members and friends can do exactly that, because its creators are now marketing their latest creation, a new version designed for use in the home.

Flavour Blaster Mini is delivered in its own stylish box and in a range of colours, complete with all the kit that is required to produce the bubbles, which release smoke in any one of a range of aromas when they burst.

Users can make their selection from a whole host of different, exciting aromatics and infusions to ensure they create the required perfect result, with aromas like passion fruit, bergamot, cinnamon, coffee and mixed berry to name only a selection from the enchanting range.

And what's more, there are also a number of savoury options for anyone who wants to add a chef-like touch to their dinner parties, including rosemary and smoke, which then dissolve into a cloud of fragrant vapour.

Since being launched, Flavour Blaster has become the must-have techno-accessory gadget for the hospitality industry used in venues such as celebrity haunts like Annabel’s, to the five star Fleming Hotel in London’s swanky Mayfair.

The Flavour Blaster Mini costs £199 plus VAT and comes with two aromas, with more available to buy via the website at www.flavourblaster.com.

Avallen Calvados Launched in a Paper Bottle as a First at Harvey Nichols

Almost everyone has heard the song Paper Roses, but I have to admit that paper bottles is something entirely new to me. 

Because Avallen Calvados has launched a paper bottle as an amazing first at Harvey Nichols,

Sustainability in the spirits industry has taken a gigantic leap forward with the launch of the first mainstream spirit to be housed in a paper bottle. 

Pioneering environmentally aware brand Avallen, which is distributed throughout the UK by premium spirits distributor Mangrove UK, has just launched this utterly unique new paper bottle for its deliciously refreshing completely natural Calvados. 

And it's available exclusively until the end of November at Harvey Nichols. It must be emphasised that this marks a true and very revolutionary first for the UK spirits industry.

Not only is it far more robust than standard glass bottles it's also six times lighter, weighing in at a mere 82 grams, this type of packaging will reduce glass use in the future and will dramatically cut the brand's carbon footprint, with the carbon footprint of each bottle being no less than six times lower than average glass alternatives.

And the design of the bottle is truly stunning. The design of the bottle remains beautifully detailed, with a colourful, intricate design that wraps around the whole bottle, showcasing the existing Avallen Calvados brand. 

The brand itself reflects, not only the sustainable credibility that makes it a popular choice with conscious consumers, but also the delicate, floral and fruity flavours that Calvados lovers' desire above all else. And it remains at the same price as the glass bottle alternative.

Avallen Calvados has always prided itself on a pioneering brand, creating sumptuous spirits whilst helping the planet. Indeed being 'planet positive' is built into every stage of Avallen's process, from distillation to shelf. 

Tim Etherington-Judge, Co-Founder of Avallen points out: “Here at Avallen we're always trying to improve our environmental performance and combine it with beautiful designs. I think our new paper bottle really delivers on both and we're thrilled to launch it exclusively in Harvey Nichols, which is  one of the world's most famous retailers.”

The development is in partnership with sustainable packaging brand, Frugalpac, who's global mission is to help the planet by decarbonising the food and drinks industry. 

The paper bottle which is home to Avallen's delicious Calvados spirit is made from 94% recycled paper, with a food grade pouch inside to make sure the spirit inside is kept safe. With each bottle so light, the reduced weight also makes it cheaper to deliver, or to post if you're sending it as a gift. 

Since its launch in 2019, Avallen has built its business around taking action against the climate crisis. The drinks industry can often be viewed as an environmental  rogue, responsible for catastrophic biodiversity loss and the depletion of natural resources. 

Avallen tackle this by authentically and honestly giving back more to the planet than they take. The brand is an ideal example of a company that's producing great quality alcohol alongside helping the environment, with impact-led production methods and the use of a mere three ingredients (apples, water, and time). They have already achieved B Corp certification and 1% For the Planet membership – certifications granted to only the most conscious of businesses.

Nick Gillett, MD of Mangrove UK adds: “Avallen has always embarked on a mission to take action against the climate crisis and inspire drinkers to giving back more than they take. This new incredible paper bottle exemplifies exactly this and will appeal not just to eco-conscious drinkers but to anyone who is intent on reducing waste.”

This latest step solidifies Avallen's commitment to being 'planet positive' and is now available in its paper packaging, exclusively within Harvey Nichols.

Nick Bell, Senior Spirits Buyer at Harvey Nichols said of the product: “At Harvey Nichols we're proud to stock Avallen in its spectacular sustainable packaging across our bars and our stores.

“As a buyer you have a real opportunity to take genuine, positive steps to reduce carbon and improve biodiversity, so being able to take on a carbon-negative product with the quality of Avallen is extremely rewarding.”

The product and its eye catching new paper bottle will be available for wider purchase in stores and online at avallenspirits.com, from the 1st December. Priced at £35.

This will make an ideal Christmas gift for eco-aware family members and friends who like fine drinking.

New experience offered by Steven Edwards at etch.

etch. by Steven Edwards has silently opened a stylish speakeasy experience to non-diners, following the success of its subterranean bar among its diners since it opened a year ago, last November.

The restaurant was reopened following an extension last November, with diners able to enjoy pre and post dinner drinks in the bar. However, Steven had always hoped to open up to those looking for a sophisticated drinking experience on a night out.

Named as a nod to the tattoo bar that formerly occupied the premises, Ink is a modern, minimalistic take on the basement speakeasy concept. 

The cocktail bar is situated immediately beneath Steven Edwards' flagship restaurant etch, in Brighton and Hove. The bar has an intimate décor with flashes of neon in its artwork created by Ben Slow.

Bar manager Bethany Pogson and her dedicated team have created a menu that breathes new life into the classics, plus creating some new and original serves. 

Cocktails include the ever popular 'etchspresso' Martini that elevates a modern classic using butter almanac and walnut bitters and a vodka-based Old Fashioned enhanced with a comforting Horlicks infused cream. 

A unique range of non-alcoholic alternatives are also available as are olives and smoked almonds which are complimentary when one orders drinks.

Steven said: “With our extensive local inspired drinks list, Ink is the perfect spot for an intimate after-work drink, a romantic date, birthday, intimate festive celebration or a late-night cocktail. It's proving really popular with those who know etch already and they are bringing new people to try the etch experience which really has to be a good thing.”

Ink is currently open on a temporary event notice and non-diners must book a table in advance in order to access the bar. The bar is open from 6pm until 11pm on Wednesday and Thursday and from midday until 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

To reserve a table at Ink visit: https://www.etchfood.co.uk/home#/ink/

What is etch? It serves a 5, 7 or 9 course tasting menu with a focus on local, ethically sourced produce and the restaurant is famous for the marmite bread, served with seaweed butter.

The restaurant was ranked 58th in this year's National Restaurant Awards and to quote a review in the Independent, Steven has "found a way to make dippy eggs exciting. No, that's not even the right word for it… he's made them sexy. Jammily, gloriously sexy, which is certainly not something I ever thought I would say about a soft boiled egg and a bit of toast.” 

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Asda makes "massive" change to its own brand tea bags, making them much greener

Asda has made a massive change to its own brand tea bags with the introduction of new, plant-based packaging, meaning that the 550 million tea bags Asda sells sells every year can be disposed of using  kerbside food waste bins, which are sometimes called caddies. 

The new tea bags are specially created using PLA which is derived from corn starch, which is a natural, plant-based material and will replace the non-renewable oil-based plastic bags which Asda previously employed.

Asda will be phasing in the new bags over the next half-year across its entire range, from Just Essentials to Extra Special brands.

Jon Wells, who is Asda's Packaging Technologist, said: “We know our customers want to do all they can to reduce their environmental impact and we want to make that as easy as possible for all our customers.

“Let's face it, tea is a staple in most customer’s households so for us to make a change which can make such a difference is a big moment for us.”

Adam Herriott, Sector Specialist, Resource Management, WRAP, said: “It’s very positive to hear of further moves by Asda, a founding member of The UK Plastics Pact, to make innovative moves on their products and tackle plastic waste. 

"We must continue to go further, and ensure we bring in more changes that benefit shoppers and the environment”.

You can check out Asda at www.asda.com.