Sustainable Manufacturing
Manufacturing Waste
Reducing manufacturing waste
We look carefully at the materials left over from our manufacturing processes and find ways to give as much of them as possible another use.
Finding another use for textile waste
We retain textiles waste data from our manufacturing operations so that we can understand how much material is being recycled and where further improvements can be made.
Surplus yarn, batch ends, cut-offs and waste fibre can all have value beyond their original use. Where possible, these materials are redirected into other products or applications rather than being discarded.
Surplus yarn and production offcuts
Surplus yarn can be used to create limited-edition pieces, while yarn bundles can be sold through our mill shops so that the material can be used again.
Batch ends and cut-offs can also be reused and re-dyed, giving materials from our production processes another life.
Excess cashmere from hand-knitted baby pieces can also be made available as yarn, helping to keep valuable fibre in use.
From waste fibre to useful materials
Not every material can return to the same production process. Where this is not possible, we look for other practical uses that keep materials out of landfill.
Fibre for filling and insulation
Waste fibre can be used for filling or insulation, giving material that would otherwise become waste another practical purpose.
This approach helps us make better use of the fibre already within our manufacturing system.
EveryYarn
Our EveryYarn approach looks at ways of using surplus and recovered materials to create products while making use of yarn that might otherwise go unused.
This includes limited-edition pieces and EveryYarn scarves made from materials that would otherwise have had a different end destination.
Using what we have
Our approach to manufacturing waste starts with the materials themselves. Valuable fibres and yarns should be used thoughtfully and kept in circulation wherever practical.
Reuse, repurposing and recycling all have a role to play in reducing the amount of material that ultimately needs to be treated as waste.
Reducing waste beyond textiles
Our work on waste extends beyond the fibres used in our products. We are also looking at packaging and other materials used across our operations.
Recycled cardboard is used for packaging, and our paper is FSC-certified. We have also removed magnets from our gift boxes and continue to look for ways to reduce non-biodegradable plastics.
Looking at waste from every angle
Different materials require different solutions. We continue to identify where materials can be reused, recycled or redirected to another purpose.
Surplus yarn
Surplus yarn can be used for limited-edition pieces or sold through our mill shops, allowing it to be used again rather than becoming waste.
Batch ends and cut-offs
Batch ends and cut-offs can be reused and, where appropriate, re-dyed so that the material can continue to have a useful life.
Waste fibre
Waste fibre can be redirected for uses such as filling or insulation, keeping useful material away from landfill.
Recycled cardboard
Recycled cardboard is used within our packaging approach to reduce reliance on virgin materials.
FSC-certified paper
We use FSC-certified paper as part of our approach to more responsible packaging and printed materials.
Reducing plastics
We are working to reduce the use of non-biodegradable plastics across our operations and packaging.
Reducing what goes to landfill
Recycling is only one part of our approach. We also want to reduce the amount of waste created in the first place and find useful destinations for materials wherever possible.
Our landfill waste remains an area of focus, and we are continuing to look for opportunities to reduce it further.
Better use of resources
Keeping fibres, yarns, packaging and other materials in use for longer helps us make better use of the resources that go into our manufacturing processes.
By measuring our waste streams and exploring alternative uses, we can continue to improve how materials move through our business.
Making more from what we already have
Our manufacturing processes create valuable materials as well as products. By reusing, recycling and finding new applications for these materials, we can reduce waste and make better use of the resources already within our business.
We will continue to measure our waste, improve our understanding of where it goes and look for practical ways to reduce what ultimately becomes landfill.
