Globally, we’ve been through a lot over the past few years. Many of us faced extended lockdowns due to the outbreak of COVID19 and as we’ve recently opened up Earth version 2.0, I can’t help but remember the smogless summer in Toronto 2020 or reading the headlines of clear skies in Beijing and crystal blue waters in Venice. In a relatively short time, the earth started to heal itself during our forced time-out in the corner. Where are we now? Have we grown for the better and truly become more aware of our carbon footprint?
Electric vehicles are growing in popularity each day and both solar and wind power are making strides. On the whole, it would appear that today’s consumer is becoming increasingly aware of their impact on the environment, which is shaping the everyday choices they make and that’s a good thing.
Global warming and pollution in our oceans, rivers, and cities, are creating an awareness and consciousness around how we can be more thoughtful in the way we live our lives. Whether that be eliminating unnecessary packaging, single use plastic bottles, plastic bags and straws, or fast food packaging and fossil fuels, we are now scrutinising every choice we make.
One of the elephants in the room that we need to acknowledge (especially as we start travelling again en masse) is luggage. Not many of us stop to consider the detrimental impact that a broken piece of luggage can have on the environment. The sheer size of luggage and the fact that it’s not recyclable translates into full landfills across the globe. Not a good look.
So what do we do? Let’s revisit the 3 R’s for a quick second: Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle. Now, we may not be able to recycle luggage but there are steps that we can take that slows down the buildup in our landfills by reducing and reusing.
As with fast-fashion or disposable clothing as it’s often called, the same concept applies to luggage. There are brands out there that we are tempted to buy because they’re more cost effective and maybe you think you won’t wear or use it very often and so we buy the fast-food option. When it comes to fast-luggage, we aren't talking about a seam coming undone that you could fix yourself and carry on as you could with a t-shirt, we’re looking at pieces of luggage that are not engineered with repair in mind. If that wheel breaks (and it will), that suitcase is off to the landfill.
At B Hemmings & Co., we’re steadfast in our commitment to sustainability by employing waste reduction and re-usability through a philosophy we like to call “items of permanence”. This applies to everything that we sell and we truly embody this as we provide a lifetime of maintenance on all brands under our roof. Just like the car you drive or bicycle you ride, your luggage will need to be maintained and fixed, too.
A lifetime of maintenance seems like a lot for us to shoulder, but there's a reason for it. We’ve been specialists in our field for almost half a century and with that comes a wealth of knowledge. Based on our experience, we carefully curate our products for their premium materials, workmanship, and designs because we know they’ll stand the test of time. Materials like ballistic nylon used in military applications and fabrics used in bullet-proof vests and bomb disposal suits are but a few examples. These innovative, best-in-class materials outlast other brands, even if you’re a “road warrior”. Looking through our records and comparing them against US luggage trade estimates, the lifespan of the brands we carry outlast industry averages three fold. Should the time come when your luggage needs some TLC, our expert craftsmen have the skills and expertise to get your luggage repaired quickly and get you back on the road.
So as you plan your next adventure, come swing by and let us show you what we’re talking about. Travelling well feels great, but travelling sustainably makes an impact. Let's help you get there.