Environmental Responsibility

At palmer//harding, we have always implemented various responsible environmental practices, however we know there is always more we can do. Each season we consciously make an effort to continue the standard of responsibility which we have previously maintained and where possible find ways improve our responsibly as we progress into the future.

The following explains some of our current practices as well as our plans for improvement.

 

Our Supply Chain and Codes of Conduct

  • We require our suppliers, factories and mills to follow palmer//harding’s internal code of conduct which can be downloaded and viewed here.
  • Statement of Expectations - We hold our suppliers accountable to follow labor rights expectations set out by the International Labour Organisation and Ethical Trading commission .
  • We are unable to publicly share our factory and supplier details due sensitive information and also the competitive nature of the fashion industry. However we keep a report of all our suppliers company code of conduct to insure that they are aware of and follow laws set by their own countries standards. If you are interested in discussing this please email info@palmerhharding.com. 
  • Our factory and supply chain holds a variety of certifications including:
      • B-Corp
      • GOTS (organic)
      • BCI (Better Cotton Initiative)
      • OCS (Organic Cotton Standard)
      • GRS ( Global Recycled Standard)
      • FSC (sustainable wood sourced viscose)
      • Oeko Tex 100
      • Masters of Linen (100% made in Europe)
  • The majority of our suppliers are using solar or other renewable energy to supplement their energy use. All are focused on a further transition to renewable energy for their business as a priority for the future.
  • Fabric waste at our supply chain is managed through a variety of methods. The majority of our factories and suppliers recycle the waste to make new fabrics, while others use the waste in other methods such as working with non profit organisations to create blankets for refugees or work with companies who use the material to make stuffing for industrial car parts.

 

Our Materials

We aim to find a balance between design, quality and sustainability through the following methods:

  • Cottons: Over 65% of our collections are made of cotton, as such we take the responsibility of this material seriously. Since launching our brand in 2011 we have used majority Better Cotton Industry (BCI) cotton, GOTS or organic cotton in our garments. Where this hasn’t been possible we have insured that the Cottons we use are Oeko-Tex and REACH certified.
  • Linens: Linen is one of the most biodegradable fabrics. It is strong, naturally moth resistant and made from flax plant fibres, so when untreated (eg not dyed) it is fully biodegradable. Flax, the plant which linen is made, is also extremely versatile and every part of the flax plant has traditionally been used to create a worthwhile product- nothing is wasted.
  • When choosing fabrics for our collection we prioritise mills with sustainable fabrics and fibres first. This includes Better Cotton Industry (BCI) GOTS and organic for cotton, Linens, Global Recycled Standard (GRS) for polyester and EcoVero Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved sustainable Viscose and Mulesing free wools to name a few.
  • Where a desired fabric or quality is not an option in a fully sustainable fibre, we request for our mills to replace the highest amount of sustainable fibre possible without compromising the creative integrity of the design/fabric.
  • Where neither is possible we continue to only use fabrics that are Oekotex and Sustainable textile Production (STeP) approved, so that the weaving, dying and finishing treatments are free from environmentally harmful chemicals and people are treated fairly in the production process.
  • Textile waste: Since 2020 we have committed to only ordering the fabric required for production based on pre-orders from our wholesale distribution. Where we have left-over fabric we either; cut through this fabric (if it is a small amount) to make garments for our own e-commerce, or carry over the material to future seasons (if it is a large amount) so that no materials go to waste. In Spring 2022 we worked with select retailers to launch a 27 piece collection which used all left-over material from historic seasons (2014-2019). Approximately 4800 meters was used and this allowed us to utilise all dead-stock materials sitting in warehouses. We can now proudly say that we no longer have excess amounts of materials going to waste at the end of a season.
  • We do not use any fur, leather, or feathers.

 

Our Packaging

In an effort to reduce our plastic footprint:

  • Our garment bags are part of a poly loop system, meaning we return the waste bags from our studio back to the manufacturer to be recycled into new bags.
  • Since 2020 all shipping boxes have been switched to FSC certified cardboard, produced from responsibly managed forests or post-consumer waste.
  • We use only recycled paper for our printing needs.
  • The tissue used in e-commerce is recycled and recyclable.
  • Our swing labels are made from recycled paper. 

 

Our Carbon Footprint

At palmer//harding we are proud of our low carbon footprint:

  • We produce (95%) of our garments in Europe ensuring the distance a garment has to travel from factory to our studios is minimised.
  • For the majority of our garments, the fabric is produced in the same country as the factory. This limits the amount of travel required to make each garment.

 

Our Studio

  • Our studio runs on green energy.
  • We have eliminated plastic single use hangers and are working to eliminate all virgin plastic from our supply chain. 
  • All printing is done on recycled paper
  • All interns are paid travel and food and follow the laws set out in the UK for work placements.

 

Your Garment

You can help your garments last longer and reduce their environmental impact by caring for them with help from the list outlined below:

  • Wash on low temperatures (on 30 degrees or less). 
  • Only dry clean when absolutely necessary and use an eco-friendly service.
  • Avoid tumble drying.
  • Iron less (hang your clothes to dry).
  • Repair and keep your garments (please contact us if you have any questions).