CHICO, Calif. (BRAIN) — For Paul Component Engineering, the decision was easy.
Turtles over plastic.
The company known for U.S. hand-crafted bicycle components made in an old Texaco warehouse is going as green as a turtle.
Paul Component unveiled the latest phase of its sustainability program on Wednesday by announcing it will use recycled boxes. Its goal is to completely eliminate plastic packaging. The Moto-Lite brakes were the first product shipped in certified-clean made-in-the-U. S. non-bleached boxes.
"We like turtles!" said "California" Travis, Paul Component marketing director. "We all see the photos of the islands of plastic floating in our oceans and washing up on our beaches. We all need to take responsibility for our actions and do what we can to make a difference."
Without divulging how much, he said Paul Component endured an initial cost starting the program but it was offset somewhat by finding ways to reduce inside-the-box packing costs. The company saves packing materials it receives to re-use when shipping to shops and distributors.The new boxes feature original artwork of the Honey Run Covered Bridge in California by Jesse Spencer Smith. A historic Butte County landmark, it was destroyed in the Camp Fire in November. It was a favorite stop for Butte County cyclists.
Travis said Paul Component has other "bike-nerd-artist-friends" lined up.
The company began researching American-made sustainably sourced packaging about a year ago, "experimenting with everything from clear bags made of corn to various wax paper and cardboard options," he said. "We make quite a few different sized and shaped parts, so we'll need a few different packaging solutions."
Small parts are tucked into wax paper envelops, and some rim brakes and all levers will be shipped in recycled boxes. Paul still needs to develop a few more box sizes for its caliper brakes, dropper trigger, shifter adapters, cable hangers, stems, hubs and seatposts, Travis said.
Social media approves. After Paul Component announced the initiative on Instagram on Wednesday, the post has received nearly 4,000 loves.
