Designed for longevity
We design products to be worn, loved and passed down through the generations. Long-lasting natural fibres and careful craftsmanship are central to this approach.
Sustainable Manufacturing
Circularity
Circularity
Circularity centres on extending the life of resources.
Our high-quality natural fibres are inherently long-lasting, and our fine craftsmanship helps keep our products functional as well as beautiful for as long as possible. We collaborate with Cashmere Circle to support invisible mending, reconditioning and repurposing of knitted garments. In our mills, we find a valuable use for excess yarn where possible, or we can break it down to be used in other products.
Repair and reuse
Repairing and reconditioning garments can extend their useful life, while excess yarn and other materials can be reused wherever practical.
Responsible end of life
Our natural, biodegradable fibres can ultimately be composted at the end of their useful life.
Designed to last
Wear and love your Johnstons of Elgin products for many years.
We want our products to be worn and loved for many years. With this in mind, we design products that can be worn and passed down through the generations.
The single greatest commitment we can all make to sustainability is to buy less and buy better.
Repairs
Give treasured pieces another life.
We take pride in the longevity of our Cashmere products and love nothing more than hearing that a Johnstons of Elgin jumper or scarf has been loved for many years.
Damage can happen, however, and a hole in a treasured design can be disappointing. We collaborate with Cashmere Circle to offer a repair, revive and recycling service for Johnstons of Elgin pieces.
Cashmere Circle can refurbish favourite pieces, from invisible mending of moth holes to larger bespoke repairs, helping to restore knitted garments and extend their life.
Visit Cashmere Circle
Within our mills
Finding value in what we already have.
We look for valuable uses for excess yarn wherever possible. Where yarn cannot be used in its original form, it can be broken down to be used in other products.
This helps keep useful materials in circulation and reduces the need for resources to become waste.
Preserving what we have
Keeping machinery in use.
Circularity is not only about the products we make. It also means preserving the machinery and embedded resources that play a vital role in delivering the quality products we are known for.
We have worked with our local college to create 3-D printed parts to maintain our Singer lockstitch sewing machines, many of which were made in Glasgow in the early twentieth century.
Our approach
Circularity across the life of a product.
From design and craftsmanship through to repair, reuse and end of life, we look for practical ways to keep products and resources in use for longer.
Natural fibres
Our natural fibres are inherently long-lasting. At the end of their useful life, our biodegradable fibres can ultimately be composted.
Repair and reconditioning
Repair and reconditioning can restore treasured knitwear and extend the useful life of a garment, reducing the need to replace it.
Excess yarn
Excess yarn can be used in other products or broken down so that its material can continue to have a useful purpose.
Passed down
We design products to be worn and loved for many years, with the intention that they can be passed down through generations.
Machinery
Maintaining existing machinery helps preserve the resources and craftsmanship embedded within equipment that continues to support our manufacturing.
End of life
Our biodegradable natural fibres can ultimately be composted at the end of their life.
Circularity
Made to be worn, cared for and kept.
Circularity starts with making products that last. It continues through care, repair, reuse and thoughtful use of the resources within our mills.
By extending the life of products and materials, we can make better use of what we already have.
