- "Changing to bio plastics" -

Light My Fire

Light my Fire (LMF) is a passionate Swedish company, who manufacture camping cooking equipment and cutlery. In 2019 they made a huge commitment to sustainability by switching from crude oil based plastics to plastics made from biological and renewable resources, which are derived from agricultural waste, in all their products at varying percentages. This means no land is needed to grow the material resource for those plastics, land which could have been used to grow food.

Following three years of intensive research and development, as of January 2019, the Swedish outdoor accessory supplier has transitioned its entire product line to bio-based plastics, featuring a new palette of warm and soft colours inspired by nature. Derived from renewable crops including corn, sugar cane and wood fibers, bio-based plastics provide a way to effectively bypass the mineral oil industry while providing a product with the same technical properties of regular plastic.

Further to this, changes in packaging have considerably reduced the environmental impact by using less material and reducing CO2 emitted during transportation.

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GRV Transparency ToolLight My Fire

 

2020

Management
Commitment
Products

Brand Management

  • CSR topics are of upmost importance at LMF and all staff are directly involved and encouraged to contribute to the process
  • Extensive in house testing and very stringent quality control
  • LMF sources certified bio-plastics
  • Extensive investment into social programs
  • Changes in packaging have considerably reduced the impact on the environment by using less material while also reducing the CO2 emitted during transportation

Brand Commitment

  • The change to bio-plastics in 2019 is a big innovation as well as the investment into new reduced packaging.
  • 90% of LMF's products are produced in Sweden, which has very high social and environmental standards
  • LMF invests into educating the consumer about plastics and bio-plastics
  • LMF works with many relevant multi-stakeholder groups

Products

  • Bio content from 15-96% depending on the product
  • Manufactured in Sweden
  • Bio-Based content comes either from agricultural waste, or does not interfere with food production
  • GMO and PFC free
  • LMF has a 100% transparency approach regarding the suppliers and materials
  • Brand Management
  • Brand Commitment
  • Products

GRV takes a holistic approach to Brand Management. We take into consideration all pertinent topics and issues, which are in direct control of the brand. GRV analyzes how the brand utilize their management in business and in their supply chain.

When determining ‘Brand Commitment’, GRV looks at the pro-active efforts of a brand toward sustainability.  For example, the percentage of sustainable product lines within the entire portfolio, or the life cycle assessments and public reporting.  We look for key indicators of the engagement of a brand towards responsibility.

On this level GRV is looking at product related information, like material content, supply chain and certification. Warranty, reparability and “end of use” advice are also important aspects. At the moment, GRV is looking at selected highlight products from different product lines, which show the special sustainable efforts of the brand. With Light My Fire we have picked three exemplary products, that show the three different material mixes they use in all of their products.

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  • Integration of Sustainability

    At Light My Fire, everyone is involved in CSR topics. Additionally Light My Fire has one CSR manager as a direct contact person for stakeholders. ...more

    At Light My Fire, everyone is involved in CSR topics. Additionally Light My Fire has one CSR manager as a direct contact person for stakeholders. The strong female leadership has sustainability as a core focus.

    Light My Fire has formulated seven commandments, that every product has to fulfil, which ensure that all products are aligned with the company’s vision. (See Design Process)

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  • Certification, Standards and Guidelines

    Quality Management is key when making products which are in contact with food. FDA and EU Food Approved (US Food and Drug Administration with European ...more

    Quality Management is key when making products which are in contact with food. FDA and EU Food Approved (US Food and Drug Administration with European regulation) regulations are constantly developed further, which might require additional tests, even on existing products. Also whenever the portfolio is updated, even with just a colour change, all products have to be migration and Prop 65 tested to comply with all regulations.

    Light My Fire sources bio-plastics derived from sugar cane certified by Bonsucro and ISCC, the wood fiber come from wood waste from PEFC certified trees and the corn-based bio-monomer from EU is GMO free certified.

    Bonsucro is an international not for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in 2008 to promote sustainable sugarcane. Its stated aim is to reduce ’the environmental and social impacts of sugar cane production while recognizing the need for economic viability’. It does this through setting sustainability standards and certifying sugar cane products.

    ISCC Plus – International Sustainability and Carbon Certification, an international certification system for biomass and sustainable fuels that sets specific production standards. The system provides sustainability solutions for fully traceable and “deforestation free” supply chains.

    PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is an international forest certification system which promotes ecologically, socially and economically sustainable forestry programs throughout the world.

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  • Social and Environmental Responsibility

    Light My Fire has its own factory in Sweden, where they mould the different products themselves. 80% of all products are made in their own factory, 10 % ...more

    Light My Fire has its own factory in Sweden, where they mould the different products themselves. 80% of all products are made in their own factory, 10 % in other factories in Sweden and 10% abroad (Honduras and China). Sweden has very high social and environmental standards, and is considered a very low risk country for social or environmental harm.

    The key production process for Light My Fire’s products is moulding plastic granulate into three-dimensional forms. This kind of process creates a very low percentage of waste. The limited materials which can’t be recycled into the process will be incinerated and turned into energy. But there is still some room for improvement of waste management never the less. So far Light My Fire produces smaller batches, which are linked to different colours and whenever a color changes, some waste is created. Light My Fire is looking into options to increase the yield on smaller lots. The office and factory are almost entirely supplied by certified green energy.

    In addition on the social side, Light My Fire encourages an openhearted work atmosphere, where family members are welcome for internships and holiday jobs and even dogs are allowed in the office. Diversity within the team is important. Staff with physical and mental disabilities are integrated to the means of their ability.

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  • Design Process

    The design of every Light My Fire product has to achieve the following requirements, which match the core principles of the company: OUR PRODUCTS MUST ...more

    The design of every Light My Fire product has to achieve the following requirements, which match the core principles of the company:

    1. OUR PRODUCTS MUST BE OUR BEST SPOKESPEOPLE
    2. WE MAKE OUTDOOR PRODUCTS WITH THE NEXT GENERATION IN MIND
    3. EVERY PRODUCT MUST HAVE CROSSOVER POTENTIAL
    4. EVERY PRODUCT MUST CREATE ITS OWN NICHE
    5. IF IT IS BEEN DONE BEFORE IT IS NOT FOR US
    6. IF IT DOES NOT MAKE YOU SMILE THINK TWICE
    7. IF IT CANNOT BE MADE IN SWEDEN THINK THREE TIMES
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  • Material & Sourcing Strategy

    Light My Fire’s code of conduct is valid for all material suppliers. Light My Fire sources all plastics through a Swedish agent, which is ...more

    Light My Fire’s code of conduct is valid for all material suppliers. Light My Fire sources all plastics through a Swedish agent, which is the common procedure with compounds. When speaking about bio-based or other kinds of plastics for that matter, we are talking about a very large corporation with standardised processes. These guarantee quality and steady supply. Traceability is guaranteed through third party certification, but only in terms of the material, not in terms of the exact provenance of the farmland. Since Braskem holds most of the volume of the sugar cane bio-based supplier market, their market position is unmatched. This makes them a target of scrutiny but on the other hand, there aren’t any real alternatives either, in case something isn’t up to the market’s expectation. Light My Fire is working on using Swedish plastic in order to have more real hands on control. Whenever bio-plastic is used, transparency becomes a major issue. In order to make sure that bio-based raw materials are not in competition with land used for food production food production or encouraging deforestation, it is important to have transparency in supply chains and/or guarantee the exclusion of land-use conflicts by certification (Bonsurco, ISCC). Light My Fire’s bio-plastics are not just one single material. They, like traditional fossil-based plastic, comprise of a whole family of materials with different properties and applications.

    Light My Fire uses three different types of bio-based plastics that have the different properties for specific product needs. All materials comply with the requirements and specifications of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and (EU) 10/2011 regarding food contact.

    The three material mixes Light My Fire uses are supplied by three suppliers. All of them have a certain amount of renewable content, varying from 15-96 %, the rest is crude oil. The three provenances of Light My Fire’s bio-plastics are proven not to be in competition with food.

    The wood fibers singular from certified wood waste PEFC from Germany, the GMO free corn based bio-monomer comes from Europe and is considered a by-product of food production. The Sugarcane-Ethanol-Granulate is from managed agriculture in Brazil, certified according to Bonsucro and ISCC Plus.

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  • Social and Environmental Projects

    School in a bag – an initiative packed with a kit for education to mainly Africa including a lunch box. LMF have been sponsoring this project ...more
    • School in a bag – an initiative packed with a kit for education to mainly Africa including a lunch box. LMF have been sponsoring this project for the past 10 years. https://www.facebook.com/schoolinabag/
    • Keep Sweden Tidy association – All proceeds of Sporks sold at trade shows are donated to this organization. LMF will also start a larger collection by selling picnic products for our national day 6th June where LMF will encourage people to go outdoors and have a picnic with friends and family to celebrate nature and the beautiful country of Sweden. All proceeds will go to Keep Sweden Tidy and their great work. https://www.hsr.se/english
    • For the last 14 years Light My Fire has been appointing between three and ten people from the national handicap work association with great results.
    • Light My Fire encourages children of staff and friends to apply for holiday work. The procedure involves writing a proper CV, a personal letter and answering Light My Fire brand questions for the first year. In the second year they do a “re-application” adding to their CV and Answering some reflective questions on their previous year’s work.
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  • Testing

    Light My Fire does intensive in house testing with a strong focus on durability along with migration tests, since Light My Fire products are in ...more

    Light My Fire does intensive in house testing with a strong focus on durability along with migration tests, since Light My Fire products are in contact with food.

    Migration is the transfer of chemical substances from food contact materials into food. For plastic materials two types of migration limits have been established in Commission Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011.

    Light My Fire guarantees to adhere to those limits.

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  • Product Transportation Strategy

    Light My Fire has managed to reduce freight volume by 30% just by redesigning and reducing their packaging. This translates directly into reducing CO2. The means ...more

    Light My Fire has managed to reduce freight volume by 30% just by redesigning and reducing their packaging. This translates directly into reducing CO2.

    The means of product transportation is an integral part of the conversation between Light My Fire and their retailers and suppliers. Most retail clients are in the EU. For both parties it is always a discussion about cost, which must be balanced with environmental impact. In 60% of cases Light My Fire will make the decision of how the product is transported.

    They don’t yet measure CO2, but are planning to make this part of their future sustainable development program.

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  • Packaging

    Light My Fire has given packaging a lot of thought. Besides always using biodegradable colours, which is crucial for reducing toxins in the environment, they ...more

    Light My Fire has given packaging a lot of thought. Besides always using biodegradable colours, which is crucial for reducing toxins in the environment, they focus their efforts of three major areas.

    SECOND USE 

    Light My Fire has developed packaging with a second purpose/value.

    Its small, handy packing bags made from recycled PET that can be used again after purchase.

    RECYCLED CARDBOARD

    Light My Fire has changed all cardboard from virgin material to 100% recycled, unbleached FSC certified cardboard with energy efficient LED UV printing without coating. That means less chemicals and less energy!

    KRAFT BAGS & WOODEN DISPLAYS

    Light My Fire has added more options of bulk products to encourage retailers and consumers to avoid packaging completely. They have also replaced their retail cardboard product displays with two layer KraftBag that assure minimum space and material for its purpose to present the product attractively.

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  • Repair

    Not relevant

  • Events and Fairs

    Light My Fire is present at four fairs every year. They have their own booth made from wood, which they have now used for 6 years. ...more

    Light My Fire is present at four fairs every year. They have their own booth made from wood, which they have now used for 6 years. All promotion materials are online and not printed. Sales meetings happen at the trade-shows.

     

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  • End of Use

    To identify the date of production and the exact material mix, Light My Fire prints the month and year of production on all of their ...more

    To identify the date of production and the exact material mix, Light My Fire prints the month and year of production on all of their products. So in case of recycling, they can determine which materials went into a specific product.

    This is an indicator for appropriate recycling streams in the future.

    Some end consumers are conscious about separation of different plastic types. However this consciousness and willingness depends largely on the infrastructure available, which varies greatly not only from country to country but also regionally.

    But Light My Fire counts on a development towards a sensible recycling infrastructure, which respects bio-plastics especially. Therefore they already equip their product already with the appropriate recycling symbol. They also give information about appropriate recycling on their website.

    Light My Fire can recycle their own products. But not many products come back, which is why Light My Fire is working on a university project to establish a short distance recycling process based on having a large quantity of products in one colour and an agreement that the product will be sent back, when it becomes unusable.

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  • Reporting

    No standardised reporting according to GRI guidelines.

  • Common Welfare Investment

    Light My Fire’s vision for a common wealth contribution is to help reducing single use plastics, get people out there, ignite that outdoor dream and cut down on fossil fuel use.

  • Definition and share of environmentally friendlier products

    “A high quality product, that has the next generations in mind and creates no unnecessary waste. All Light My Fire products have a % of bio-based plastic content.”

  • Definition and share of products, which are more socially responsible

    “The production and the finished product must be safe for manufacturing staff and its users. Light My Fire wants to inspire people to get out ...more

    “The production and the finished product must be safe for manufacturing staff and its users. Light My Fire wants to inspire people to get out into nature with friends and family to strengthen social bonds.”

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  • Innovation

    The change to bio-plastics in 2019 was a big innovation as well as the investment into new packaging with a reduced design and carbon footprint. Light ...more

    The change to bio-plastics in 2019 was a big innovation as well as the investment into new packaging with a reduced design and carbon footprint. Light My Fire is looking into combining products with activities such as cooking classes and services with the potential for new business models, like leasing tests with Kindergardens, universities, etc. The idea is to move away from retail to slow down consumption.

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  • Progress

    When we, GRV, ask about progress, we ask the brands specifically about topics on which they would like to work on during the next year. ...more

    When we, GRV, ask about progress, we ask the brands specifically about topics on which they would like to work on during the next year.

    1. Within product development, Light My Fire wants to improve recycling of waste raw materials.
    2. Investigate new business models like renting, leasing etc.
    3. Be part of and initiate behavioural changes
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  • Multi-stakeholder Initiatives

    Light My Fire is part of the EOG and SOG sustainability groups, as well as of the bio-plastic association in Sweden, which is linked to ...more

    Light My Fire is part of the EOG and SOG sustainability groups, as well as of the bio-plastic association in Sweden, which is linked to the European Bio-Plastics initiative.

    Light My Fire is also an EOCA member and part of the SUP (single use plastic free) SHOWS working group.

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  • Stakeholder dialogue

    The dialogue with the customer is of upmost importance to Light My Fire. It is crucial to understand, where there are educational need and gaps ...more

    The dialogue with the customer is of upmost importance to Light My Fire. It is crucial to understand, where there are educational need and gaps about plastic and what the issues are.

    Light My Fire has gathered the most important information on plastic and bio-plastics in “The little school of plastics” flyer for the end consumer.

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  • Products

    Light my Fire has three combinations of material blends within the corresponding supply chain. We have chosen three products as examples to take a closer ...more

    Light my Fire has three combinations of material blends within the corresponding supply chain. We have chosen three products as examples to take a closer look at possible combinations.

    Let’s talk materials

    Dryflex Green: Braskem (sugar cane) sugar cane

    Ecozen: corn-based

    Terralene: Braskem (sugar cane) and wood

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Founded in Sweden in 1996, LMF is Family owned with a focus on camping cutlery.

LMF has 12 administrative employees and 12 working in its own Swedish factory.