A low-impact approach that makes a big difference
Products
Our T-shirts are made from Control Union
certified 100% organic cotton. We worked with the factory to
ensure that each T-shirt was not individually wrapped in a plastic
bag, and we're figuring out what to do with the small amounts of
plastic we still have. The hangtags on the T-shirts are 100% recycled
and 100% recyclable, which we think is a first.
Processes
The clothes come from the factory in Turkey
on a lorry, so we're calculating its carbon impact in order to neutralise
it. The T-shirts are delivered to us in boxes made of recycled cardboard
and, once they are empty, we either reuse or recycle them.
When you're done with your T-shirts, we'll
take them back. Some will be in good condition and will be donated to Oxfam to recycle and reuse, which helps them generate income for their valuable work. Some will be in a right old state,
so we plan to sell these to the rag trade where they will, quite
literally, be made into rags for fillings or industrial use.
But our efforts don't stop there...
All our stationery and marketing materials
are printed on 100% post consumer waste recycled paper, and we are
working with our printer to move to more environmentally friendly
inks. Every scrap of paper or cardboard, every can, bottle, box
or bag is reused and recycled. And there are a couple of compost
bins at the bottom of the garden should there be anything left over
from lunch.
The office is in my attic. We are on a renewable
electricity tariff, and nice Ben from Southern Solar fitted the panels that now give us free hot water for most of the year. In winter,
until it gets really cold, we wear hats instead of turning the heating
on (which could be why we don’t get many visitors at that
time of year!). And we travel by public transport, bicycle, or on
foot wherever possible (which is most of the time).
Profits
While our products and processes are designed
to have a low impact, we actually want our business to have as big
a positive impact as possible. So, as well as the environmental
benefits outlined above, we're also sharing 5% of our net profits
at the end of each financial year between two
charities.
The profits from the reuse and recycling
of the old T-shirts we're sent (less our transport and admin costs)
will go to our charities as well.
At the end of each year we'll let you know how much all of this
has added up to.
Progress
We reckon there are probably lots of other
ways we can have a positive impact and, as we work them out and
put them into practice, we'll let you know about them. In the meantime,
if you have any suggestions, or would like a digital copy of our
full environmental policy, feel free to
.
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