ENVIRONMENT
In 2022, we began working with award-winning global sustainability consultancy Anthesis. They have measured the carbon output of our entire business, including our full supply chain. With their help, we are setting science based improvement goals to reduce that output according to the globally-recognised Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI) framework.
This measuring and target-setting covers Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS
Those directly produced by White Stuff, such as the carbon output from vehicles, shops and offices we own or operate.
SCOPE 2 EMISSIONS
The emissions created by the electricity and gas we buy to run these vehicles and buildings.
SCOPE 3 EMISSIONS
Those we're indirectly responsible for across the entire supply chain of our business. The carbon output of everything from the raw materials that go into our clothes, to their construction and distribution, and even their use and eventual disposal by our customers.
FULL EMISSIONS DATA COMING SOON!
We're busy measuring our emissions and as soon as we have confirmed results, we'll share them with you. And when we've set SBTI goals for reducing our carbon output, we'll share those too, so you can track our progress. It's going to be a long journey, but it's a really important one.
The largest proportion of emissions for any fashion brand comes in scope 3, from making clothes (including the cultivation of cotton, the production of fabrics and the assembly of the finished garments). Which is why it's so important that we work to use better, more sustainable materials throughout our range.
BEYOND THIS BIG PROJECT, THERE ARE LOTS OF LITTLE THINGS WE'RE DOING
CLOTHING DONATIONS
We know we need to reduce our use of physical samples when designing and producing clothes. But in the meantime, we try to find new homes for these sample garments once we've finished with them. Over the past year, we've donated over 1500 bags of clothing to disabled children's charity Newlife for sale in their shops. Newlife estimated 73% of these items are successfully resold, with remainder sent to their recycling partner for reuse or repurposing. We also donate garments to a homeless charity that operates near our south London head office. And we hold regular sample sales for our teams, with all money raised donated to charity.
FACILITIES AND PACKAGING
We recycle waste in all our shops, offices and at our distribution centre, from used printer paper to old tea bags. The packages we send out our online orders in are all recycled and recyclable. All new shops are fitted with LED lighting, and we're gradually working to upgrade to LED in our existing shops. It's not yet enough, but it's a start. And we're determined to keep working at it.