Sustainability
Less but Better
As a slow-fashion company we uphold the ethics of conscious consumption and sustainability.
We source only natural wool fibres because wool is a renewable resource that can be shorn from sheep annually. It is fully biodegradable and kinder to the environment than oil-based synthetics, which contribute to global pollution. Sheep are part of the natural carbon cycle, consuming the organic carbon stored in plants and converting it to wool which has many great properties not least being warm.
Our woollen products have a long lifespan, meaning they last longer than other textile fibre products and we encourage our customers to keep and look after ours by offering a darning and garment refreshing service. As well as advise on storage and cleaning.
British Mills
The yarns we use are always 100% natural. We use two UK spinners one in Yorkshire and one in the Scottish Highlands. Both Companies spin different qualities of woollen yarns . Some of their yarns are spun using wool from British sheep and some of the wool is from sheep bred in Geelong Australia. This is because the climate there produces a finer fibre which makes softer yarn. This unspun wool fleece is shipped [ never flown ] to the UK. Our Yorkshire based spinner has been running since 1766. And the Scottish mill has been spinning for 150 years. This long succession has enabled valuable knowledge to be passed down through the generations to create yarns of the softest and most superior quality. We also ensure wools are sourced from sheep that have not been mulesed.
Ethical Standards
Once a year our yarns are delivered to our small UK mills. One in Scotland and another family run near Nottingham as well as own hand frame knitters in Devon. Our various designs are knitted by makers who have been honing their skill for generations. Helping keep this local knowledge and craftsmanship alive is the founding principle of Quinton + Chadwick.
Colour is an intrinsic part of our design signature so most of our wools are dyed but the chemicals used in this process are less harmful to the environment than that of the bigger global companies and we only use dyes that are to Global Organic Textile Standards. {GOTs approved} . Our main knitting mill has a carbon reduction plan produced with Net Zero International Limited as part of the Net Zero Nation 2024- 2025 Accelerator Program. They are committed to achieve Net Zero no later than 2045 and target a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030.
The Mills have the Woolmark license and are Sedex members also having the SEPA Audit makes sure they work within the Ethical Trade Initiative. They are also certified Living Wage Employers.
Please contact us directly if you wish to see copies of any certification relevant to the sustainable practices listed here.
Zero-waste Production and Eco Packaging
Our state of the art knitting machines ensure there is zero waste. And most of our accessories and all our Jumpers are knitted seam free . No waste occurs as there is no cutting or sewing needed in the make process. Only a very small amount of hand finishing is required.
We pack our orders ourselves in compostable, bio-degradable plastic or acid free tissue. And our wholesale orders are delivered in recycled cardboard boxes. We use a Go Green delivery company who’s UK division has a goal to run a 100% electric courier vehicle fleet by 2030.
Fashion Revolution.Org
Every year we post photographs of the lovely people who make our products. Inspired by the Fashion Revolution movement which is encouraging people to ask the simple question ‘who made my clothes' about what they wear. The Fashion Revolution has pushed the industry to become more transparent. Highlighting the problems of Fast Fashion and helping ensure that workers rights are upheld everywhere.
We make everything here in the UK so we are proud to be able to prove not only authenticity of design but of provenance too.