Being Earth conscious is at the forefront of my business. Here are some of the steps I take to be more environmentally conscious, as well as areas I want to improve on. I am always looking to improve ways in which I can be more Earth friendly. My goal is to work towards having a circular business model.
Reuse – Reinvent – Repurpose
The majority of the fabrics I use are either recycled, offcuts or remnants and they come from local businesses. This keeps the fabric miles to a minimum and reduces the need to buy new fabric by using fabric already within the loop. When I buy new fabric, I do my best to try and buy natural fibres where possible.
Zero Waste Design
I keep my design shapes fairly simple as the fabric tends to be the focal point. I start by looking at fabric combinations and then apply it to a shape, working with the fabric as the starting point enables us to choose the best possible product for the fabric, to ensure it’s being used in the best possible way and minimise any fabric waste on the cutting table.
Future Goals – In 2021 I will develop zero waste pattern cutting techniques in order to minimise waste.
Keeping it Small
My products are either made in very small batches or are made to order, which means no products are over produced. I also offer a custom service where clients can choose their own fabrics/colours. All of my usable fabric scraps are kept to be made into other products, like these patchwork facemasks here. All unusable scraps including threads from the sewing machine or cutting room floor get collected by a UK service that has a zero-to-landfill policy, where the fabric scraps are either turned into insulation or are generated into Green energy.
Sharing is Lovely
All my accessory samples developed in the manufacturing process are either given as gifts or donated to local businesses. Any material I don’t use is donated to either schools, students or other makers. I have been donating my mask samples and ready to purchase masks to various local enterprises which have gone to volunteers or people in need within the community. One of them being The East Lothian Food Bank, the other is Wee Red Upcycles which is a social enterprise in Haddington that helps empower vulnerable adults and young people through craft and creativity.
Eco Friendly Packaging
I use various UK companies for my packaging. The smaller envelopes are made from kraft paper, resin based glues and soy based vegetable inks. The larger parcels are made in the UK using kraft paper (which is a renewable resource), my parcel tape is made from kraft paper and has a natural rubber-based adhesive. All my packaging is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. But of course, it’s much better if you save it and reuse it, keeping it in the loop. My business cards and branding paper work is all printed at the local print shop Lothian Printers in Dunbar who use FSC paper. I am proud to support local businesses.
Future goals – I will change my M stickers to plastic free versions by the end of 2022.
After Life Repair Service
How we care for the things we buy has a huge impact on the planet which is why I offer a repair service for any product you buy from me, or for any commission or custom made piece.
