In 2019, Gellings became a supporter of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man — a partnership that reflects what we've always believed: that a small island supplier can still play a real part in a much bigger picture.
What the Biosphere designation actually means
The Isle of Man is the world's only entire-nation UNESCO Biosphere — designated in 2016 under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme. Where most Biosphere regions cover part of a country, ours covers the whole Island, its coastline, and its territorial seas.
The designation isn't a trophy for having nice scenery. It commits the Island to three ongoing functions:
- Conservation of the Island's natural environment and biodiversity
- Sustainable development that balances growth with protecting what makes the Island special
- Learning — research and education that helps residents and businesses make better decisions
Locally, the Biosphere's strategy is built around five themes, often called the five Es:
The Isle of Man remains the only whole jurisdiction in the world designated a UNESCO Biosphere — a status it has held since 2016.
Why it matters to a local supplier
Gellings has traded on the Isle of Man since 1965. We're not a mainland courier passing through — we're based here, we deliver here, and the businesses we supply are our neighbours. Supporting the Biosphere isn't a marketing angle for us; it's a natural extension of running a local business on an island that's built its identity around looking after itself.
In practical terms, that shows up in the choices we stock and recommend: a genuine range of eco and compostable packaging alongside standard lines, sustainable cleaning chemicals like Sure by Diversey's plant-based range, and honest advice on right-sizing orders so businesses aren't over-buying and over-binning.
Sustainable choices, stocked locally
Compostable packaging, plant-based cleaning chemicals, and eco-friendly disposables — all available on trade account, delivered island-wide.
What this looks like day to day
Being part of the Biosphere community doesn't mean grand gestures — it mostly means small, consistent decisions. Stocking a compostable option alongside a standard one. Helping a customer choose a smaller pack size instead of one that goes half-used. Being honest when a "greener" product doesn't actually perform any better, and just as honest when it does.
That's the kind of partnership we try to live up to — not a one-off announcement, but an ongoing part of how Gellings does business on the Isle of Man.
Want help building a more sustainable order?
Talk to our team about eco packaging, sustainable chemicals, or right-sizing your regular order.
Background on the UNESCO Biosphere designation is drawn from UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and the Isle of Man Government's Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture.