A sustainable approach to clothing
“Sustainability is at the very heart of FINDRA. We started our range of outdoor clothing with the determination to offer high quality clothing made from ethically sourced and environmentally friendly materials."
Slow fashion and sustainable clothing.
Slow fashion is a movement towards creating and buying sustainable clothes that are designed to last. At FINDRA, we are committed to innovating and designing clothing beneficial to both people and the planet. We source ethical raw materials, manufacturing processes and technical designs with the aim of reducing impact on the planet. We are committed to creating fashion that doesn’t damage the environment or adversely affect people’s lives.
FINDRA’s approach to sustainability and environmental issues is based on 10-point criteria for what qualifies as ethical fashion. Through these 10 points we demonstrate how we fulfil our commitment to sustainability and environmental issues in the clothing sector.
10 steps to our sustainable clothing company.
1. Sustainable business model – committed to ‘slow fashion’ and products with long life cycles
We design and create a range of products that are not seasonal or in any way ‘fast fashion’. Our garments have a long life cycle and our stylish collections are designed to be timeless, discouraging a disposable or throwaway approach to clothes. Our designs are made from natural or recycled raw materials, have functional design details and are useful all year round.
2. Defending fair wages, working conditions and workers’ rights
It is important to us that not only are our materials and manufacturing processes environmentally friendly, but that the humans involved in the process are treated fairly too. When sourcing a supplier or manufacturer, we aim to work only with factories that treat their workers and staff in a humane manner. As a team, we have personally visited these factories to see for ourselves the working conditions and standards that the factories operate within.
3. Supporting sustainable livelihoods
Sixty percent of our products are made in the UK and when working with overseas suppliers, we have taken the time to meet with UK representatives and, as often as possible, the management team behind the supply chain by attending international trade shows and communicating with key personnel. This allows us to see for ourselves the people we are working with.
4. Addressing toxic pesticide and chemical use
By using materials like Merino wool, we ensure that many of our raw materials are free from toxic pesticides. We aim to continue work in this area and have a better understanding of the processes involved in the production of all of our products and raw materials. Including the processes involved in colour dying and cleaning of the raw material and finished goods.
5. Using and/or developing eco-friendly fabrics and components
At FINDRA, we aim to source natural or recycled raw materials, which form the basis of our designs. Currently, 80% of our collection uses natural or recycled raw materials. We are working towards 100%. Our raw materials include non-mulesed Australian Merino wool, lambswool, ethically produced nylon and eco-friendly S.Café® print yarn. Find out more about our materials and manufacturing processes.
6. Minimising water use
One of Merino wool’s excellent characteristics is the way it absorbs and locks away odours. The structure of its natural fibres help prevent the growth of smell-causing bacteria. If bacteria is present, the protein molecules naturally occurring in Merino fibres (keratin) break the bacteria down. This means Merino wool products don’t need to be washed as often as man-made fabrics.
7. Recycling and addressing energy efficiency and waste
FINDRA’s Seamless PerformanceTM technology, a process of 3D seamless knitting, produces high-quality, one-piece garments knitted entirely without seams. Traditional knitting requires each part being knitted separately, cut and sewn together, a process in which around 30% of materials are lost. Seamless (or whole garment) knitwear is efficiently made in one entire piece, without the need for waste such as cut-loss for next to zero waste.
8. Developing or promoting sustainability standards for fashion
We want to help our customers prolong the life of their clothes. That’s why we provide wash care cards with our Merino wool products and offer a repair service (for a small fee). By supporting our customers in extending the wearability of their FINDRA clothing, we’re continuing our fight against throwaway fashion and the impact that has on the planet.
9. Resources, training and/or awareness raising initiatives
Working in partnership with The Campaign for Wool, we’re highlighting the many benefits of buying wool products. We provide educational material in our shops and on our website and social platforms. Our weekly inspirational emails highlight environmental and sustainable news stories and emphasise our values and ethos around the importance of being more environmentally aware and sustainable when making choices in our clothing and day-to-day lives.
10. Standing up for animal rights
FINDRA work with ethical supply chains that ensure the highest standards of animal welfare during all farming and breeding. Our ethical code of conduct is backed up by certification, and we always work with farmers who can prove their sheep are non-mulesed. Our choice of always using biodegradable fibres, as well as Merino wool which needs less washing than synthetics, means less pollution for our oceans.