In apparel, most environmental impact is decided at material selection and wet processing — long before a garment is sewn. That is where we focus.
For most garment programmes, fibre production, fabric manufacture and wet processing account for the large majority of water use, energy consumption and chemical load. Cut-make-trim is a comparatively small share.
This changes where a sourcing partner should apply effort. Choosing a lower-impact fabric construction, or a mill with modern dyeing and effluent treatment, delivers far more than optimising the final assembly stage.
We therefore begin environmental conversations at the development table, while fabric, colour and finish are still open — not after the bulk fabric is booked.
Organic and recycled cottons, recycled polyester, Tencel™ and lyocell, linen blends and responsibly produced man-made cellulosics.
Preference for mills with effluent treatment capacity, lower liquor-ratio dyeing, and washing routes that reduce water per garment.
Working with partners investing in efficient machinery, heat recovery and, where available, renewable energy supply.
Marker efficiency and consumption discipline at cutting, plus routes for fabric waste rather than disposal.
When a buyer specifies a conventional fabric, we present a lower-impact alternative alongside it with the real cost and lead-time difference stated. The buyer decides with full information.
For denim and washed programmes, we direct work towards laundries using lower-water techniques such as ozone, laser and reduced-stone processes where the finish allows.
Restricted substance requirements are passed through to mills and laundries in writing, with test reports held on file against the buyer’s standard.
Fabric consumption is challenged at costing. Better marker efficiency reduces both cost and waste — the two objectives point the same way.
Polybag reduction, recycled packaging options and carton optimisation, plus consolidated shipping where the calendar allows.
Tell us your product and we will cost it with conventional and lower-impact options side by side.
