Alex Monroe: a jewellery business carbon reduction case study
Alex Monroe is a nature-inspired jewellery business that ensures the very best materials go into each item they produce. Read about how we calculated the carbon footprint of their operations and jewellery, set their net zero target, and helped them carbon label their items.
The challenges facing Alex Monroe
Every item of jewellery is different
Alex Monroe sell over 5,000 different pieces of jewellery, from bracelets to earrings, rings and necklaces. Each item involves different weights of precious metals and stones.
Breaking new ground
When Alex Monroe approached us, there were no obvious examples of a jewellery company that had measured the carbon footprint of every single product. They would be starting from scratch.
Complicated supply chains
The supply chains for precious materials are notoriously complicated. A single item could contain raw and previously used materials from multiple suppliers.
ecollective’s process
A 2 part approach
We started by looking at Alex Monroe’s operational footprint. This included their offices, London shop, website, staff commuting and working from home emissions.
The second part of the process involved their jewellery. We accounted for the type and quantity of materials, how they reached their workshop, any mechanical processes that were used, the packaging and shipping to the customer and the end of life of the items.
Create a process that would scale
Whilst we were focused on measuring Alex Monroe’s current carbon footprint, we were conscious to create a tool that would scale with their business. This was so that next year, when new products and suppliers come online, they would be able to identify and address any carbon hot spots.
Collaboration for success
when a company takes such care over the creation of their products, applying industry averages is not the most accurate way to calculate. We held weekly meetings with the team to understand each step of the journey, from sourcing the materials to how customers dispose of the packaging. This allowed us to get an accurate picture of the carbon footprint and hot spots to address.
“I’d like to mention how rewarding, how easy, how cost-effective and how much fun it has been working with ecollective!”
— Alex Monroe, founder of Alex Monroe
The results!
Total carbon footprint calculated
Alex Monroe now know the overall carbon footprint of their operations and that of every piece of jewellery they sell. This has provided them with a data-driven strategy for carbon reduction.
A strategic plan of action
A large proportion of their impact in the materials they use. This has led them to contact their suppliers to encourage them to start measuring and reducing their footprint.
Normalisation of CO2 numbers
Alex Monroe want their customers to understand the carbon impact of what they purchase by carbon labelling their jewellery on their website. This way they can help people to buy better.
Contact us
If you work in the jewellery business and would like us to measure your organisation’s carbon footprint and that of your products, get in touch.