SUSTAINABILITY
Every decision we make is geared towards minimising the impact we have on the planet – as a business and individuals. So, from our production processes, to the materials and packaging we use, we’re always finding new ways to reduce our environmental footprint and sustain our future.
In 2022, we offset
836,495 kgs
of CO2 using our CarbonClick initiative.
OUR FABRICS
- 96% of cotton sourced is from either organic or responsibly-sourced cotton. Where we haven't been able to source either fabric, we have donated £1-£2 for each item to WaterHarvest, the India-based water charity, totalling £4,918 to date.
- 76% of forest fibres are repsonsibly sourced. We have invested in the highest level of certification available - Ecovero and Tencel.
- We have established a clear fabric roadmap outlining our strategy up to 2025 and then 20230, which includes sourcing more recycled cotton and researching innovative sustainable fabric alternatives.
- 100% of all synthetic fibres used are recycled, with the mix of recycled synthetics being only 5% of our range
- Our goal was to achieve synthetic fibre content of all fabric blends containing synthetic fibres to be under 20%. Due to difficulties in sourcing, we haven't been able to achieve all synthetic blends under 20%. However, we have achieved all synthetic blends to be under 24%
CIRCULARITY
- We have set up supplier programmes to use up surplus and left over material from pattern cutting, upcycling this material into various accessories. In 2022, we introduced new products from our block print supplier, including quilted washbags, hair accessories and reusable face pads, face masks and bags.
- Our goal was to increase awareness of our Thrift+ partnership. Year to date 463 of our customers have purchased our thrift bags, an increase of 58% on last year, meaning that between 1-2 customer per day purchase to donate garments to charity.
- Our goal was to research opportunity to launch 'Aspiga Preloved' initiative. We have sold sample and some fabrics at our Wilton Outlet shop and have collaborated with The Cirkel
- Our goal was to increase our use of recycled fabrics in our collection. Rec ycled fabrics have played a big part in our 2022 collection. In the summer we launched our first own brand range of swimwear which was made from 82% recycled polyester derived from post consumer waste, including used plastic bottles. We also launched our sequin party-wear which was made from 95% recycled sequins.
PACKAGING
- Zero plastic is used in all Aspiga own brand packaging. We use recycled and biodegradable materials including cornstarch, cassava root and fabric, including paper tape rather than plastic tape. This year we have saved more than 121,814 plastic bags going to landfill. This equals 93,814 bags that have been sent out to customers and 28,000 bags that are holding garments in our warehouse, waiting to be sent out. We have also saved 59,263 large plastic shipping bags as all orders this year were sent out in paper mailing bags.
- Our goal was to collaborate with the external brands we buy to complement our Aspiga collection to transition into plastic free packaging. We worked with our largest jewellery supplier who replaced their plastic packaging with old sari fabric, saving 4,521 small plastic bags. We worked with our largest knitwear supplier, Eribe, to change their plastic packaging to 100% cellulose.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
- To help our customers offset their order delivery, we partnered with Carbon Click. In 2022, 3,008 customers purchased credits against their delivery of their orders, meaning we offset 1,844,155 lbs of CO2 in 2022.
- Our goal was to complete our first carbon footprint assessment. In 2022, we have partnered with Future Leap to help us offset and ultimately reduce our carbon emissions. We are committed to looking into every aspect of the business. We have started by focussing on scope 1 and 2. This includes a carbon consumption assessment.
- Our goal was to start setting clear milestones to be carbon neutral by 2025. Future Leap is using the above data to set up a carbon reduction plan for us to use for our next stages in the process. Our goal for scope 2 is achieve carbon neutrality by UNEPs 'Climate Neutral Now' programme by 2025.
- As a brand we are passionate about educating our customers on how to be more sustainable. In 2022, 2,900 customers have requested our free booklet 'A Guide to Living a More Sustainable Life' which shares helpful tips.
CHARITABLES INITIATIVES
- We continued to work with all our existing charity partners in Kenya and India, including Elimu Sewing Project, Bluebells school, WaterHarvest,and paying the school fees of the Kenya school children who help with our beach clean in Malindi. Charitable donations in 2022 totalled £11,584 including donations to the Charlie Waller Trust and the British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. We increased our orders with the Elimu Sewing Project to include the fabric product bags for our hand-beaded belts. Working with Kenyan mill, Thika, who produce responsibly sourced cotton fabrics to stimulate Kenya's home-grown cotton industry, we produced our first African dress collection with them.
- 15 beach cleans took place in Malindi, Kenya, with help of 12 young volunteers, whose education is paid for by Aspiga. In 2022, we also undertook 3 beach cleans in Conrwall.
- Aspiga teams and volunteers undertook quarterly cleans in Barbadoes and on the river Thames near our London HQ
OFFICE AND SHOP MANAGEMENT
- Our goal was to implement better waste management in retail premises. Our retail stores prioritise the re-use of our cardboard boxes for transporting stock and shop items. IN 2022, we recycled approximately 2,500 cardboard boxes across the year, which equated to 1 tonne of cardboard. This saved 46 gallons of oil and 7,000 tonnes of water.
- Our goal was to transition to zero plastic in our office spaces, with a particular focus on plastic hangers. We partnered with First Mile at HQ and separated all our hard and soft plastics. In 2022, we recycled over 1,750kg of office waste, saving 2 tonnes of CO2 and 18 trees. We no longer use plastic hangers in our stores or HQ.
Our 2023 Goals...
We are proud of what we have achieved so far, and recognise there is so much more we can do. We are constantly on a mission to be more sustainable in everything we do. Our goals for 2023, as always, are centered around: Doing Right by People, Doing Right by Planet, and Supporting Positive Change.
Doing Right By Planet
- Continue to gain transparency on our Carbon footprint and actively work towards reducing it.
- Increase our sea ship freight to 80% and reduce our air freight to 20% over the collections
- Reduce the carbon footprint of Aspiga collections through: increasing manufacturing options in Europe; reducing manufacturing in Aspiga and the Far East; investigating UK factories for special production runs.
- Introduce product passports for 5-10% of the collection (focusing on block print).
- Continue to work with our supply base to source new and innovative fabrics with less impact on the environment.
- Continue our partnership with Carbonclick. This partnership empowers consumers to purchase gold standard carbon credits at checkouts to offset their purchases.
- Continue to protect endangered forest through our partnership with World Land Trust, offsetting all our carbon emissions from our printing.
- Improve energy efficiency in stores and HQ through energy saving and waste management initiatives.
- Move away from conventional couriers to a sustainable alternative such as e-Bikes.
- Continue our beach cleans across all sites in UK, Barbados and Kenya, inviting customers to take part.
- We will ensure all packaging for non Aspiga branded products is 100% plastic free. We have removed all plastic from Aspiga own brand packaging and all marketing materials are sustainably sourced.
Doing Right By People
- Produce an Aspiga Mental Health Policy for all staff, working closely with the Charlie Waller Trust.
- Every member of staff to have a sustainable objective for 2023.
- Rollout of staff hardship loans.
Positive Change
- Increase our orders with the Elimu sewing project in Malindi, Kenya, a charity that sponsors vulnerable young women, equipping them with income generating skills and a sewing trade.
- Continue to work with SOKO Kenya, an ethical clothing manufacturer, sourcing cotton from Thika, Kenya to stimulate Kenya's home-grown cotton industry.
- Communicate clear messages about our B-Corp status and its benefits on social media, to increase B-Corp awareness with our customers.
- Expand our Sustainable Living Community on Facebook to spread Aspiga's key sustainability messages.
- Continue to share our tips to help our customers to live more sustainably through our How To Live A More Sustainable Life booklet (free at checkout & available to read online).
2022 Achievements
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CARBON OFFSET PROGRAMS & OFFICE RECYCLING
In 2020, we partnered with CarbonClick, enabling consumers to purchase carbon credits at checkout. These go directly to supporting gold standard verified carbon offset projects such as forest restoration, tree planting and renewable energy projects around the world. This initiative started in October and has already been used by over 150 customers offsetting over 110,429lb of carbon.
We were unhappy with the waste and recycling service offered by our landlord and the local council so we signed up to a fully integrated recycling service from First Mile (thefirstmile.co.uk) so that all of our office waste was being recycled and not sent to landfill.
2021
ACHIEVEMENTS
We prioritised lowering our emissions and offsetting what can’t be reduced. We pledged to offset all our air business travel.
We began our journey to achieve B Corporation certification. B Corporation helps businesses balance purpose and profit and required us to consider the impact of our decisions on people and the planet.
We partnered with a sustainable sourcing agency so we can continue to make responsible supply chain choices, maintain our supplier relationships, and check everyone we do business with is adhering to the highest ethical and sustainable standards.
We worked closely with the brands we sell to enhance their ethical and sustainable contribution.
We introduced a sustainable swimwear range (ECONYL®), which was launched in Spring 2021. ECONYL® is made entirely from ocean and landfill waste, such as industrial plastic, fabric scraps from clothing.
We continued using our voice on all our platforms to share ways to live more sustainably.
Thank You
Thank you for being part of our exciting journey. We couldn't have done it without you.