Sustainability

Sustainability at Belle of the Ball

At Belle of the Ball, we are committed to making a positive impact on the environment and promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry. Our focus on sustainability goes beyond just our ball dress and accessory rentals, but extends to almost every aspect of our business, from the products we offer to the way we operate.

Sustainable Fashion for a Better Future

We are committed to creating a more sustainable future. Unfortunately, over the past 15 years, global clothing production has doubled to meet demand and has become a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, making fashion the third highest polluting industry in the world. That's why we're dedicated to making sustainable fashion accessible, stylish, and environmentally responsible. By choosing Belle of the Ball, you can be part of the solution and help us create a better future for all.

Reducing the Impact of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion has become a significant contributor to the world's environmental problems. That's why we believe in the power of rental over buying. By renting a dress, you're supporting a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and conserving the environment. Reducing your carbon footprint, cutting down on waste, and supporting sustainable practices - what’s not to love! When you rent a dress from Belle of the Ball, you'll not only look amazing, but you'll also be making a positive impact on the environment.

Aligned with SDG 12 and SDG 13

We're proud to align our business with SDG 12 and SDG 13, which aim to promote responsible consumption and production patterns, and take action to combat climate change and its impacts. Rentals extend the life cycle of a garment, giving new life to pre-worn and past-season fashion and tackling the growing problem of waste management. By offering sustainable dress rentals, we're helping to create a more sustainable future for everyone.

Sustainable Practices in Action

At Belle of the Ball, we're always looking for ways to improve our sustainability practices. From using eco-friendly packaging to reducing energy usage, we're trying to reduce our impact on the environment. And we don't just talk the talk, we walk the walk, with real-world examples of our sustainable practices in action.

Reducing Plastic Waste with Eco-Friendly Bags

We’re passionate about reducing our impact on the environment. That's why we choose to use paper bags and tissue paper for local collections, and only offer postage bags made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials. These bags not only require less energy to produce, but they also give waste a second life and cut down demand for petroleum production, reducing CO2 emissions and environmental impact. We're proud to partner with a postage bag supplier who donates a portion of their sales to carbon reduction and plants a tree for every order received.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning for a Greener Planet

At Belle of the Ball, we believe that even the cleaning process can make a difference for the environment. That's why we only use eco-friendly cleaning methods that are gentle on both our dresses and the planet. Our rose and peony scented laundry detergent is cruelty-free, vegan, NZ made and free of harmful ingredients. By cool washing and air drying our dresses, we reduce energy consumption and our carbon footprint, while ensuring each dress in great condition for our next happy customer. Our laundry detergent bottles are made from a combination of sugar plastics, which are renewable and recyclable, and locally sourced recycled plastic, supporting our goal of reducing plastic waste.

Dress recycling - Dress for Success

As part of our commitment to promoting sustainable fashion and reducing waste in the industry, we are proud to partner with Dress for Success Auckland and donate our excess inventory to support their Cinderella Project, providing high school students the opportunity to attend their school ball or graduation and feel confident and beautiful. Our affordable dresses will now have a second life as part of a circular economy, promoting sustainable consumption and reducing waste. By partnering with Dress for Success, we can ensure that our dresses are being used to their full potential, while supporting a great cause and making a difference in the lives of young people. Together, we’re empowering the next generation to look and feel their best, all while promoting affordable, sustainable fashion.

Sustainable Dress Disposal

We take pride in our efforts to reduce waste and promote a circular economy. Our damaged dresses that are not suitable for re-wear or donation are disposed of through H&M’s Garment Collecting programme. The dresses are either recycled by shredding them into textile fibres or repurposed to make other products, such as cleaning cloths or insulation materials. By doing so, we minimise our environmental impact and ensure that nothing goes to waste.

Sponsorships

We're the proud sponsor of the Building Sustainability Through People Award at the national HRNZ 2023 awards. This recognition reflects our commitment to being at the forefront of sustainable business practices and promoting environmental responsibility in our industry. As a company that prioritises reducing waste through rentals, we understand the importance of creating a sustainable future. We believe that businesses have a responsibility to make a positive impact, and we're proud to be recognized for our efforts in doing just that. The sponsorship of this award is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and we look forward to supporting and recognizing the efforts of other companies in this field.

Join the Movement

Join us in our mission to create a more sustainable fashion industry. Choose Belle of the Ball for your next event and make a positive impact on the environment. Together, we can make a difference.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our sustainability practices or would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're always happy to help.