Market Harborough Honey Co. is committed to supporting the local economy. The ingredients, bottles, labels and packaging are sourced as locally as possible. Our honey is harvested from our very own apiaries local to Market Harborough and our spirits are produced and bottled at a distillery in Market Harborough too.
We also participate in local events where we can promoting bees and the environment.
As beekeepers we do like to think we are doing our bit for the planet by having millions of bees, however some things can look good on the surface to then find its not so great underneath. We have detailed all our key areas below where things come from and are made, along with how recyclable they are.
For us to offer beehive adoption, which is seen as a very socially responsible thing to invest in and to help other companies meet there ESG targets, we need to ensure we are actually being responsible ourselves.
No single use plastics
We do not use any single use plastics at all in our packaging, if we need to pack something, we will use shredded paper of a sustainable packaging solution such as Flexi-Hex packaging.
Dibond aluminium adoption sign
We recognise the importance of managing ours and your impact on the planet, which is why all of the beehive adoption signs are 100% recyclable. Dibond is intended to be easily separated and recycled. We chose this over plastic as it can be recycled with no excess waste.
The composite materials are crushed into granules then further crushed into a powder. A vibrating screen is then used as a sieve before Electrostatic Separation takes place, splitting the metal from the rest of the material. Little to no emissions are produced during this process, no chemicals or water is used either, there is also no excess waste.
Place of manufacture: UK
Recyclable status: 100% Recyclable
Beevive Keyring
The Beevive keyring we give away with our adopted beehives is designed and manufactured in Exeter, UK. We specifically chose to use this company as they really conscious about the environment.
Place of manufacture: UK
Recyclable status: 100% Recyclable
Adoption Certificate
Our adoption certificate can be delivered electronically, and / or on paper. Our standard offering is to provide one of each. The digital certificate is the best option for the environment, but if you wish to have the paper copy too, we send it out in a 100% recyclable envelope and the certificate itself is paper so can also be 100% recycled.
Place of manufacture: UK
Recyclable status: 100% Recyclable
Jars & Lids
Our jars are all manufactured in the UK, and and current industry standard is that 35% of each new jar made comes from recycled glass. All of our glass jars and lids are 100% recyclable. We do not import jars from abroad, we source them from a supplier we have vetted and happy with. The lids are made from metal are also 100% recyclable.
Place of manufacture: UK
Recyclable status: 100% Recyclable
Made From: 35% Recycled Glass
Cardboard Packaging
We use tight fitting custom made corrugated cardboard for our packing cases, this cardboard is sourced from an FSC certified paper supplier. We ensure the boxes are an exact size as to not produce any non essential waste. Our boxes are all made in the UK, and not only are they 100% recyclable, but they are also 100% biodegradable taking no more than 1 year to fully biodegrade and be reclaimed by the planet.
Place of manufacture: UK
Recyclable status: 100% Recyclable
Made From: Typically 70% recycled paper
Beehives
Our beehives are made from polystyrene. We appreciate this is plastic and not the more traditional cedar. Unfortunately polystyrene is not commonly recycled and would go to landfill. However, due to the strength and durability of the hives, they will last many years, maybe even 20 years without needing replacement as they withstand the outdoors better than cedar hives. There is a trade off between having colonies of bees that are more productive and doing good for the environment in polystyrene hives, or chopping trees down to make wooden hives where he bees to not perform as well. Poly hives are widely used all over the world due to the benefits they give. AT the point our hives need replacing, we would likely look to find a way of crushing them into poly beads and using them as a form of insulation on something else.
Place of manufacture: Poland
Recyclable status: Not Currently Recyclable
Labels
Every jar of honey comes with a label. This label is produced in the UK and is made from paper. The only part of the label which is possibly not so easy to recycle is the adhesive, however, this is commonly recycled even when left on the jar. We chose not to go down the route of having polythene labels as we do not like the idea of using plastic when we can use paper.
Place of manufacture: UK
Recyclable status: 100% Recyclable
