The only way is ethics: a buyer’s guide

WORDS by GAVIN STOKER

Brand ethics are a company’s moral principles and values that guide its actions. Perhaps it’s seeking to show the customer base that it’s green in the positive sense, meaning it only sources and utilises sustainable materials in the production of its goods, and that it pays its workforce fairly. Or that it plants a tree for every camera sold to offset the hefty carbon footprint involved in the production and transportation of its products around the globe. An ethical brand avoids harm to humans, animals and the environment, conducting business in such a manner as to responsibly contribute to society.

So, when it comes to the photography industry as a whole, which are the brands we should be rewarding with our custom? Here are a few of our suggestions…

Sigma

Back in 2019, a report by Ethical Consumer (ethicalconsumer.org) investigated and ranked the ethical and environmental record of 12 of the major camera brands. Sigma came out on top. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Sigma UK has worked with the Eden Reforestation Projects to plant a tree for every camera and lens sold. Naturally this helps to look after our planet, creates new habitats, reduces soil erosion and provides employment to impoverished communities around the world.

The company states that kindness to the planet has been at the core of its philosophy ever since its foundation in 1961. It adds that all its products are manufactured in one factory in Japan, so its production chain is geographically contained and its environmental footprint is relatively small.

It further tells us that it’s actively investing in facilities that likewise reduce environmental impact, and adopting production processes and technologies that avoid a cost-first mentality. Examples include the adoption of trivalent chromium (used for chrome plating and requiring less energy than alternatives) and simplified packaging. It’s also working hard to preserve the natural environment at its head office and factory.

› sigmauk.com

Hobolite

This company’s attractively designed and feature-packed LED lights may feature unique vintage styling including a leather look to their side panels, but we’re told no cattle have been harmed to achieve such a finish. In fact, only faux leather is used in the detailing, this being more ethically responsible than real leather.

The products are also claimed to feature a lot of hard-wearing but replaceable parts, so these can be refreshed as and when needed, rather than the whole device being binned. In short, the lights are designed to be used sustainably for a long period of time. As a company, Hobolite tells us it generates 200,000kWh of solar power energy each year, reducing its carbon footprint by 140 tons of CO2. Plus, the product packaging is made of recycled materials. Illuminating, in more ways than one.

› hobolite.com

CEWE

Naturally, being a company that specialises in paper and print, eco-friendliness and sustainability has long been at the centre  of CEWE’s offering. The company tells us that, since 2013, it’s held certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the international non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and management of the world’s forests.

Adhering to the FSC’s principle, all paper that CEWE uses originates from responsibly managed forests. Additionally, among the digital printing papers it offers for inclusion in a CEWE Photobook is a 100% recycled paper option. This has a silky matte finish and otherwise produces a similar result to the classic paper, also in the same range.

Its A4, A3 and A2 wall calendars are now available on 100% recycled paper, described as groundbreaking in terms of blending beauty and sustainability. Made from 100% recycled pulp, the paper’s brilliant-white base is said to enhance print fidelity with its aim being to bring out the best in your photos. Being eco-friendly doesn’t mean compromising on quality.

› cewe.co.uk

Hahnemühle

While this leading inkjet photo paper specialist has won acclaim from the likes of industry experts TIPA for its Natural Line of Digital FineArt papers, fashioned from natural and sustainable materials including hemp, sugar cane, agave and bamboo, it has recently gone further with an affordable, everyday Sustainable Photo Satin paper, tested elsewhere this issue.

Its latest product’s chief claim is that it’s fully recyclable with regular household paper. Thanks to a newly developed bio inkjet coating free of plastic composites this photo paper is 100% sustainable and pulp-able, and yet at the same time claims to be scratch resistant and boast a velvety smooth surface with brilliant colour reproduction capabilities.

It’s further worth highlighting that proceeds from the sales of its Natural Line papers go into a ‘Green Rooster Fund’ – allying to the rooster reference in the manufacturer’s logo – that helps finance reforestation and conservation projects. In such ways Hahnemühle is proving that you can deliver cutting edge products and be commendably ethical with it.

› hahnemuehle.co.uk

MPB

By the very nature of its set up – namely that it buys and re-sells used/unwanted photo and video gear – online retailer MPB is involved in a form of recycling from the get go. Voted ‘Best Used Specialist Retailer’ in the 2022 Photography News Awards, it’s saving users money as well as saving the planet. We’re told MPB customers spend an average of a third less when buying used kit versus brand new. They likewise earn £650, on average, each time they sell their gear to the platform.

As well as promoting affordability, sustainability is at the heart of the MPB offering. It claims all its packaging is 100% plastic free, its cloud-based platform utilises 100% renewable electricity and zero in-bound or operational waste is sent to landfill. Currently it’s on target to reach net zero carbon emissions for its buildings by 2025, for its data centres by 2030 and its courier services by 2035.

MPB offers over a decade’s worth of experience in buying and selling kit, having in that time become the trusted reseller of thousands of customers in the UK.

› mpb.com

Lowepro

Also placing a real focus on sustainability is Lowepro. In fact the brand has introduced a ‘Green Line’ series of camera bags, which it tells us will be identifiable via a green globe logo on its products by 2024. These are not only made from recycled fabric; the packaging they come in is recycled too. On top of this Lowepro tells us it is replacing the material used in existing lines with recycled fabric. For example its popular ProTactic bag has now become part of its Green Line and its new PhotoSport series was launched with up to 85% recycled fabric, depending on bag size.

The plan is that by next year 80% of the volume of fabric used in its products will be from recycled sources, and it’s also aiming for a 20% reduction in the shipping size of new products, without changing their carrying capacity. To spot its sustainable products straight away, look for Lowepro’s Green Line logo and investigate the ProTactic II, Adventura III and Trekker Lite series in particular. For further details of the brand’s ethical contributions, head to the website link below.

› lowepro.com

The Imaging Warehouse

Perhaps better known for the brands it represents, most notably PermaJet inkjet photo paper alongside Nova Darkroom, Online Paper and Premier Ink, umbrella company The Imaging Warehouse has now been established for an impressive 40 years. In celebration of this milestone it has recently become a member of, and is raising funds for, the Woodland Trust, helping to create, restore and protect UK woodland. “As we’re primarily a paper company, we like to do our part in giving back,” the Imaging Warehouse’s spokeswoman tells PN.

Its company statement outlines that it protects the environment, supports the law and respects international human rights. It does this via sustainable sourcing and requesting copies of FSC certification from its supplier base where all pulp products are concerned. Packaging is also created from environmentally friendly materials and it claims that, where applicable, all packaging materials received in the deliveries from its supply chains (and in its daily business) is either reused or recycled responsibly. Smaller changes have included the transition to electrically driven forklifts in its warehouse and LED light bulbs utilised throughout its warehousing and office facilities.

Finally, in saving on paper, digital downloads are currently available of its two free PermaJet branded digital guides: The Knowledge Vol 1: the Art of Paper Selection and Vol 2: The Step-by-Step Guide to Printing.

› theimagingwarehouse.com

This guide was first published in Issue 112 of Photography News.