How We Contribute to a Greener World
Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives, and the museum world is no exception. Museums are committed to sustainability not only within their exhibitions and buildings but also in their museum shops. At Dutch Museum Gift Shop (DMGS), we actively contribute to a greener world by making conscious choices regarding our products, storage, fulfillment, and shipping methods. In this blog, we will take you through our approach.
Why Sustainability Matters
More and more consumers value sustainability. Research shows that 56% of consumers consider sustainability and the social impact of companies important when making a purchase, and 53% actively pay attention to these aspects when buying products or services. At the same time, 43% of consumers are skeptical of companies’ sustainability claims. Transparency and reliable information are therefore essential.
Sustainable Products
At DMGS, we offer a wide range of sustainable products by carefully selecting materials and production methods and providing transparent information about the origins of our items. Some examples of sustainable products in our collection:
- Tropenmuseum x ReBlend scarves: Made from 100% recycled materials (70% textile waste and 30% recycled PET). Each scarf saves 3,000 liters of drinking water and prevents 4 kg of CO2 emissions.
- T-shirts from Eye: Made from 100% organic cotton and produced by Girls on Top, a brand with an extensive sustainability policy.
- From Nature to Nature bags by Naturalis: Made from organic cotton, ensuring longevity and sustainability.
Additionally, we seek certifications that strengthen trust in the sustainability of our products. Some products on our site feature the People Planet Profit (Prosperity) label to indicate their sustainable nature.
Sustainable Storage & Fulfillment
We are actively searching for a fulfillment partner that prioritizes sustainability. The question is: Is self-shipping by museums more sustainable than outsourcing? The answer depends on several factors. On one hand, direct shipping from museums reduces intermediaries; on the other hand, orders containing products from multiple museums must be shipped separately.
Sustainable fulfillment partners can contribute by:
- Installing solar panels on their roofs
- Using green electricity
- Implementing waste separation
- Applying AI for more efficient picking and packing
Sustainable Packaging & Shipping
We are also exploring more sustainable packaging and shipping options, such as:
- Recycled cardboard or plastic
- Smaller packaging to reduce filler materials
- Digital packing slips instead of paper versions
- Paper bags that take up less space than boxes
- Shipping without extra boxes when the original packaging provides sufficient protection
For sustainable transport, we are currently investigating several options.
Working Together for a More Sustainable Future
At DMGS, sustainability focuses on three key pillars:
- Sustainable product selection and design
- Sustainable storage and fulfillment
- Sustainable packaging and shipping
By making conscious choices together, we can make the museum world—and the planet—a little greener. Do you have ideas or experiences with sustainable solutions in museum shops? Let us know and join us in working towards a more sustainable future!