An ode to nostalgia and carefree times, the new Songbird collection celebrates one of our most beloved and requested vintage inspired prints from the past.
We first created the Songbird print in pink 10 years ago and it sold out in hours. It is still one of our most sought after and requested prints to this day!
The new collection sees the print in refreshed shapes and colours in sustainable Lenzing Ecovero. We have also added luxe lace staples, with our Organic Cotton bralette and mini.
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We have recreated the collection in extremely small quantities, to keep the print treasured and valuable. Be Quick!
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Localisation is one of those post-pandemic buzzwords that have left more than a few of us wondering exactly what this is and means in terms of our decision-making, sustainability consciousness and love of fashion. At Arnhem, we not only have all of the above covered but are also here to make it a little easier to understand too.
Read on to discover more about how and why being made in Australia sits ever so close to the Arnhem heart.
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Firstly let's chat about localisation, what this means and why it's a term we love! Localisation is about bringing the economy back to a human scale. It is the process of building economic structures that allow the goods and services a community needs to be produced locally wherever possible, and in our case, that's clothing. This can strengthen community cohesion and lead to greater human health and material well-being, all while reducing pollution and the degradation of the natural world.
Localisation isn't about ending all offshore manufacturing but ensuring we look to our own sunburnt country and what can be manufactured and produced here first. Localisation allows local, regional and even national self-reliance to replace dependence on distant, unstable offshore supply chains.
The pandemic exposed many inadequacies and the vulnerability of our economic system and dependencies on these volatile supply chains. It highlighted to us that being made in Australia and self-sufficient is the only way forwards for Arnhem.
By choosing to manufacture locally in Australia, we are not only supporting local economies and communities but also creating employment in ethically certified factories one dreamy Arnhem style at a time. It also means we are reducing our carbon and environmental impact and moving closer toward our sustainability roadmap goals.
Here at Arnhem, our commitment to manufacturing some of our collections in Australia is by no means a cost-efficient or easy task; however, we believe that in making this commitment, we are supporting the future growth of the fashion and textile production industry here in our own backyard, helping to rebuild and revitalise what has become a dying industry sector.
We also believe strongly that manufacturing in Australia, as opposed to offshore, allows for greater transparency in our supply chain, and as we all become that little more conscious about the ins and outs of our consumerism, this can only be beneficial.
What are the benefits of buying fashion that is locally made? Well, the first thing is this shortens the supply chain, as we hinted at above. By choosing to manufacture in Australia, we are significantly cutting down the time, money, resources (like water and energy), and human labour required for an Arnhem style to end up in your hands.
A shortened local supply chain also allows our design team to oversee and maintain control of the construction process, ensuring a high-quality product sure to last a lifetime. A shorter supply chain also ensures that workers' rights are respected, waste is minimised, and that transparency is available to consumers, and who doesn't want that?
It is also really important to us at Arnhem to note that when you support locally made by purchasing our Made in Australia styles, you're essentially fortifying and injecting confidence into Australia's garment-manufacturing industry. Making it a more viable option for more brands and therefore (hopefully!!) attracting more creators, which in turn will allow Australia-made clothing to become a more accessible and affordable avenue.
At Arnhem we could not be prouder of our made in Australia collections and all they stand for in terms of people, planet and future.
Here at Arnhem, we are passionate about mother nature, our world, and all of its inhabitants, and being plastic-free is something we strive towards year-round as a business and as a team! Firstly, we're not perfect; no one is, but when we have the opportunity, we choose sustainable alternatives to single-use products, and we think before we design and consume, which is why we love plastic-free July!
It's a month that makes us focus a little more on the choices we make every day. It doesn't matter if you're a complete newbie or a plastic-free expert because together, we can all work towards the continued goal of awareness and the commitment to creating a more sustainable future, which is pretty powerful!
Whether you're just starting out or are super immersed in a zero-waste living, this month is the perfect time to set yourself a challenge to take another step to reduce the use of single-use plastics. With this in mind, we've popped together a list of our top ten easy ways to go plastic-free this July!
We are big reusable bag fans at Arnhem and have more than a few in our collection that are both plastic-free and seriously stylish. Take to the farmers market and load up on veggies with our handy Market Bag and Purse Set or head to the beach with your towels, snacks and swimmers packed into our Circulate Tote.
A beautiful alternative to single-use plastic that fills the fridge with your fave Arnehm fabrics and keeps your food fresh! An easy and fun step on the journey towards a plastic-free future!
Grow some food and flowers (because who doesn't want endless fresh blooms and delicious garden goodies all year round!) We've got some beautiful Seeds to get you in the green thumb frame of mind.
Say NO to plastic straws and opt for paper or, even better yet, BYO metal straw for those times when thirst hits hard when you're out and about! A great tip is to pop your metal straw in a cloth pouch to keep it clean in your bag until you need it!
BYO, your own takeaway cutlery set in a chic little pouch! From festivals and travel to Friday night takeaway with the girls, you never know when you might need a plastic-free knife, fork and spoon! Our go-to Kappi Cutlery Pouch is made from Arnhem fabric offcuts, and the cutlery is silky smooth bamboo (there's even a pair of chopsticks!)
Switch to a sustainable toothbrush. Toothbrushes are one of life's necessities. But being committed to your dental hygiene doesn't mean you need to contribute to plastic pollution. By investing in a biodegradable bamboo or wooden toothbrush, you'll be looking after yourself and the planet.
Another easy way to go plastic-free is to ditch your morning takeaway coffee cup and invest in a reusable option. From handmade ceramic beauties to glass and metal, keep cups are a plenty and are a super-easy way to make a change for the better!
Plastic-free period! These days, there are many reusable alternatives to single-use sanitary items. This includes the increasingly popular menstrual cups, reusable pads, and period undies. Our Lunette Menstrual Cup even comes with its very own Arnehm printed fabric purse for easy and pretty storage.
Say no to single-use plastic water bottles and find yourself a forever metal, glass or ceramic water bottle that you can keep at home or on the go. This is another small swap that makes a BIG difference!
Ditch plastic pegs for a set of stainless steel pegs and hang up those Arnehm faves in the sunshine sans single-use plastic! Lasting forever, stainless steel pegs not only look the goods but are better for the environment and your clothes too.
Finally, go easy on yourself; shifting habits and mindset is hard to do, and you might slip up from time to time which is normal and okay too!! We're in this together for the greater good of our planet plus, plastic-free living has never looked so good or been easier. We're excited to share our plastic-free July journey with you all and would love you to join in and share your progress with us.
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It's almost time for that magical weekend with friends in the North Byron Parklands listening to your favourite music. It's also important to treat our earth responsibly; That's why we have put a guide to help you reduce the impact on our environment and do festivals ethically.
Festivals may only last for a couple of days but they can have a big impact on our environment, land and residents.
Did you know that festival's highest carbon footprint comes from travel and transport? Make sure to choose your mode of transport wisely.
If you are coming to Splendour In The Grass, make sure to sign up for their bus program HERE. Taking a bus to the festival is one of the best options to lessen your impact on the environment and alleviate your carbon footprint. Who knows, you might meet new friends along the way
Be sure to dispose of your rubbish correctly. Read the signs on the bins to ensure you place the correct wast in the correct bin.
Fast fashion is one of the world’s top polluters and festival fashion can contribute to this if your outfit is purchased for a one off use.
Festivals are a great opportunity to use what you have in your wardrobe and create new outfits by combining old clothes!
Another way to get creative is to swap or borrow festival outfits, repurpose previous outfits, find second hand or vintage gems.
LOVE YOUR TENT SURVEY REVEALS ‘WASTELAND CULTURE’ AT FESTIVALS. Over 60% of festival goers throw away their tent after the festival which ends up in landfill - eeek!!!
Other ways you can minimise your footprint is by borrowing camping gear and boots from relatives.
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Learn more about our fabrics and sustainability here
Made with RWS Wool & Alpaca
The RWS certificate ensures the wool is from an ethical source where the sheep have been reared in line with the five freedoms of animal welfare. Encompassing the physical and mental wellbeing of the animals as well as holistic land management practices. Peruvian Alpaca is one of the most ethical fibres sourced from free roaming Alpacas in their natural habitat. The Alpaca are traditionally sheared in the summertime using cruelty free practices.
The Wool is naturally renewable. Sheep play a role in the carbon cycle, consuming organic carbon stored in plants and converting it into wool making this fibre low impact. Further to this, garments made from wool return carbon and nutrients to the soil when they break down in a natural environment. Wool has a positive life cycle.
Crafted from leather sourced from a LWG (Leather Working Group) audited and rated facility. Focusing on environmental management systems, water usage, energy consumption, air emissions, effluent treatment, waste management and most importantly, traceability.
Most wedge heels have to have a foam base... Because we avoid plastic at all costs in our production, we had to work with our manufacturers to develop a wood base that would be gentler on the planet. This way, when the shoes are at the end of their life they can actually return to the earth in far less time than traditional wedges. Anything with plastic will take hundreds of years to disappear from the planet.
We discovered A_C when we were on the hunt for sustainable accessory brands. At the RAW Assembly conference last week we learned more about their practices and commitment to the circular economy, while creating vegan leather bags that aren’t made from just plastic. We are excited to carry this innovative (and stylish) new brand!
Sustainable plant based vegan-leather made from cactus, distinguished by its incredible softness, while remaining ultra durable and gentle on the planet.
A PU and PVC Free Leather alternative made from Silicon. This textile’s raw material is derived from Sand and is has a smooth, luxurious hand-feel. It is one of the most durable textiles A_C have ever worked with.
Learn more about A_C bags. They offer bags that are not only environmentally-friendly, but environmentally-beneficial. To do this, they develop ranges using Plant-based, Organic and Recycled textiles and donate profits to Carbon Sequestration Projects through our Social Enterprise.
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We contributed two clothing racks of samples to SHIFT in order to raise money to support our community. One of the largest issues in Byron Bay is our housing crisis, especially how this impacts women and young moms.
We've seen the disparity of wealth, lack of affordable rental properties and rising house prices impact the culture of our community as well as the livelihoods of our community members.
We are very proud to have supported SHIFT in their latest fundraiser which raised $29K to support homeless women in our town.
"We were so grateful for Arnhem’s donation. It flew off the racks. SHIFT is a wholly Byron based and conceived initiative doing amazing work."
To disrupt the cycle of womens homelessness
To provide unique individual support and education for at risk women in a safe residential environment.
By fostering emotional and physical wellbeing we empower our women to regain their
lives, reconnect with community and achieve their full potential
To learn more about shift and get involved check them out here: https://phillydigitalgallery.com/
This quarter we reflect on the floods that have devastated our community and the timely release of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a global organisation of scientists responsible for monitoring and assessing climate change. Established in 1988 they publish assessment reports every 5 years and have recently released the 2nd part of the 6th report that focuses on climate impacts, vulnerability and adaptation.
The recent assessment report is the most comprehensive to date with over 7 years of peer reviewed science.
The first part of the report published in 2021 focused on projections for future warming and impact on climate systems. The second part specifically assesses the impact of climate change on human communities, ecosystems and biodiversity and what adaptations are necessary through examining the source of emissions from all aspects of society.
The key finding is that Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and net zero by 2050 to ensure temperatures don’t raise above 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the Paris Agreement.
However, we are on a trajectory for a catastrophic temperature raise of above 2 degrees Celsius due to inadequate action being taken on a global scale.
We are already witnessing the destructive impacts of 1.2 degrees warming pre-industrial levels from the wild fires of 2019-20 to the still very raw recent flooding that devastated our community. These humanitarian disasters are unprecedented and the incompetence of the government to provide support to those impacted has clearly demonstrated inadequacies. It was the communities on the ground running rescue operations and providing support to victims of the floods.
There needs to be acknowledgement and accountability. Investment and support to rebuild with resilience.
Ending coal is said to be the single most important step to end our global addiction to fossil fuels. Our economic model must change and there is opportunity with an abundance of natural resources. We have the solutions, it is within our capacity to solve this crisis.
If action isn’t taken our economic, national, food and water security are threatened. Our physical safety and mental and emotional health, we are facing an epidemic of eco-anxiety particularly in our youth.
Sea level raises pose a very real existential challenge to Torres Straight and other low lying coastal communities.
It is the most vulnerable that are at risk both within our communities and the Global South. The Global North is responsible for 79% of global emissions and yet it is the Global South that are already suffering the impacts of climate change.
It is the youth driving grass roots direct action challenging the misinformation, greenwashing and propaganda we face.
There is a sense of urgency, this is the decade of action and mitigation. Our decisions will forge pathways that will define the future of our planet. Collectively we need to change our narrative and culture.
Every action we take and decision we make as individuals can inform change. Let’s stand in solidarity and take collective action.
So, how can we act as individuals? This quarter we collaborated with Carbon Positive who have developed a carbon calculator. To kick off the year we launched a Carbon Challenge with some amazing tips on how to reduce your impact. Read these blogs for practical tips and tricks to reduce your personal carbon emissions:
Other actions you can take:
In response to the devastation of the recent floods we offered our community the opportunity to design an artwork for a charity tee to raise money to support those affected.
100% of the profits made from the sale of our Community Spirit Tee will go towards supporting our flood affected community. You can purchase yours here
This quarter 19% of our garments were manufactured here in Australia. We believe in the importance of localisation. By manufacturing in Australia not only are we reducing carbon emissions from transportation but supporting our community, industry and economy. Haven was made by an Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA) certified Melbourne based factory.
There are of course challenges to manufacturing in Australia in terms of limited supply chains and higher price point. The cost of manufacturing is higher relative to our economy and wages. By paying more for beautifully crafted quality garments we can foster a deeper appreciation and value, and consume less.
This quarter we launched our first naturally dyed collection. Sugar was dyed using natural dyes derived from by-products.
The pigment used to dye the Canyon Sugar is made from 90% bitter orange and grapefruit extract residues. These extracts are flavonoids used as antioxidants in the pharmaceutical industry.
Closing the loop, reducing waste, resource depletion, water and chemical pollutants.
Reference: Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Higg Material Sustainability Index (Raw Materials).
We are unable to report on BCI cotton as there is currently no data available in the Higg MSI.
Due to unforeseen delays and the impact of further lockdowns in our supply chains we had to resort to air freighting. We are dedicated to moving to a sea freight model through careful planning going forward.
By utilising deadstock for our collaboration with Mother the Mountain we saved 430m from landfill.
RELATIONSHIPS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
You might recall that we first partnered with the Great Koala National Park back in 2000. To find out more about how this partnership began and to hear from some of the Gumbaynggirr Custodians and Conservation Group members, you can read more HERE. But we need you to know why this relationship is more important now than ever before...
FEB 2022 – KOALAS ARE MARKED AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES.
It is unthinkable that our adorable iconic koalas will become extinct by 2050, but that’s the devastating truth. This is why it’s critical that together we continue our relationship with GKNP and support them in protecting the koalas’ natural habitat.
But like us, we sure you’re wondering why, is after the NSW government’s own experts made this dire prediction, they continue to allow broadscale destruction of koala habitat?
80% OF AUSTRALIAN KOALA HABITAT HAS BEEN DECIMATED.
Not intending to get political, but the reality is that the government will tell us that it’s all about revenue and jobs, but ironically jobs in the native forest timber sector have plummeted over the decades due to increased mechanization, overlogging and market forces. Not only that, but our public native forests are logged at an annual loss.
YES, THAT RIGHT - LOSS OF UP TO $10M EVERY YEAR.
Worse still, NSW taxpayers subsidise Forest Corp (the NSW government’s corporate body responsible for managing public forests on behalf of the people of NSW) to the tune of around $17m annually. Unbeknownst to us, we are paying Forest Corp to destroy the remaining public native forests and koala habitat across NSW and shockingly this is happening right now within the proposed Great Koala National Park. Not only do we lose critical koala habitat, but all the other important values and services that our native forests provide such as carbon storage and sequestration, clean and abundant water, rainfall, biodiversity, recreational and health promotion opportunities, and important Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.
ENDANGERED.
In February 2022 the koala populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory were declared as Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) 1999. Koalas have gone from no-listing to vulnerable and now to endangered within a decade. This is an unbelievably fast descent towards extinction.
The Government has failed to halt the decline of our koalas through its failure to take meaningful action to prevent habitat loss. The unprecedented bushfires of 2019/20 have tipped the scales even further and only swift and decisive action will now save our koalas. While planting trees and funding koala hospitals are worthwhile actions, they don’t address the root cause of the problem facing koalas right now, every day – habitat loss.
BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION.
The Great Koala National Park (GKNP) proposal would see a significant proportion of NSW koalas protected in the public native forests where they live. It would provide opportunities for affected timber workers to transition to new jobs in the plantation timber sector or new park system undertaking road and track maintenance, drainage and weed management, tree maintenance and rehabilitation.
There is a win win in this for timber workers and koalas. Koalas get to live and recover their numbers in peace and safety while native forest timber workers who are currently logging themselves out of their own jobs could have the opportunity of working in a truly sustainable sector – National Parks.
The New South Wales Government has a target to double the number of koalas in the state by 2050. This will not be possible without protecting their habitat and the Great Koala National Park will ensure that occurs.
THE HARSH TRUTHS
Here are 6 critical reasons why we need to support the Great Koala National Park…
HOW YOUR TEE PURCHASE WILL HELP
The Great Koala National Park proposal…
LOOK AT WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED TOGETHER ALREADY.
With your support the donations from the 2020 GKNP charity tee have contributed to:
SO, BUY A TEE WHETHER IT’S FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY, OR FRIENDS, MALE, FEMALE, YOUNG, OR OLD.
Donations from the sale of the tee will fund innovative and highly engaging educational material that will create understanding of the fragility of this pressured environment, urging people to take action that will positively change the course of the koalas’ and our collective future.
FEELING LIKE YOU WANT TO DO EVEN MORE?
Soon the NSW Upper House will debate the Great Koala Protected Areas Bill which aims to see the Great Koala National Park created. The GKNP campaign team are encouraging people to contact Upper House MPs to tell them that they support the GKNP and urge them to support the Bill. Visit koalapark.org.au for information on how you participate in this call to action.
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Established for over 30 years, William offers extensive sustainable fabric sourcing and development. This small ethical operation has excellent workmanship and attention to detail, essential for our soft woven product. We're confident this is the beginning of a new and blossoming relationship.
William's factory has Sedex Smeta social compliance auditing in place. His printing mill is Oeko Tex 100 certified.
What we love about William: Established for over 30 years, William offers extensive sustainable fabric sourcing and development and has worked with us to develop two of our newest fabrics, Lenzing Ecovero Crepe and our Lenzing Ecovero Crinkle.
Strengths: Experts at digital printing, can achieve very bright colours and tones.
Fave collection: Dylan
Fave fabric: Lenzing Ecovero Crinkle
Mr. Zhang has worked for over 20 years as the digital printing factory director and is responsible for the overall production schedule and quality control.
What is your favourite part of the day?
I am most happy when we receive a new order! That means we are going to have more popular prints and fashion collections produced by us.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy our production teams ability to actively challenge ourselves and successfully solve problems. It makes me happy to learn something new every day.
Mr. Sheng has been working at our digital printing mill for more than 10 years. He is an operator for digital printing and does strike-offs for bulk printing.
What is your favourite part of the day?
The most relaxing part of the day is coming home from work and spending time with kids and take a walk in the park or watch TV before going to bed.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love how different all of our printing patterns are and how many different prints we produce in a day. I love the different botanical styles we are currently printing and we love to guess what kind of style is suitable for each print.
Ms. Sheng has been working at digital printing mill for more than 10 years. She is a technician in charge of drawing print artworks.
What is your favourite part of the day?
The most relaxing part of the day is going home and cooking. I love cooking as much as I love painting, and sometimes dance to music in a plaza with my neighbours.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I am proud that I have created so many beautiful prints and other popular designs that are shipped overseas and have been successful. I am grateful as a clothing designer that I can bring these prints to life!
Zhu is the owner of Suzhou Rui Shun factory. She learnt sewing skills at the age of 20, which progressed to managing the whole production workshop at the age of 25. In 2003, she started her own garment factory that has been cooperating with us since 2005. Zhu’s greatest happiness is her family, who are all involved in running the factory together. Her husband is the finance manager of the factory, and her son is also involved. On weekends she enjoys taking her grandchildren to the park and loves to go on walks with her family. Her greatest hope is for her family to be healthy and for her two grandchildren to do well in primary school.
Qiu is from the local area of Suzhou and has been working with Suzhou Rui Sun factory for more than 10 years. In 1983 he started his journey of learning sewing skills and patterns from a master. From the years of 1990 to 1996 he went to Shenzhen to be responsible for garment patterns. After returning to Suzhou, Qui has been working as a pattern maker and is greatly experienced in production and pattern making. In his free time he loves being with his two children and doing activities such as fishing and riding around the lake with his family.
Wu is from the local Suzhou area and has been working with Suzhou Rui Shun factory for more than 10 years as a sewing line leader. In 1993 he started to learn sewing skills and then started his work in a clothing factory in 1996. During this time he wanted to challenge himself working in other jobs in construction and as an accountant. However he found that he enjoyed working in clothing production the most, and started working as a sewing line leader in Suzhou Rui Shun factory. Wu has two daughters who he loves to cook for and values spending time with his family. His hope is that his daughters work hard, learn more, and challenge themselves whilst they are young.
Always wash your treasures by hand using a natural gentle detergent. Add the recommended amount of detergent to cold water allowing it to dissolve before immersing your garment. Soak and gently squeeze the soapy water a few times taking care not to wring or twist. Rinse with cold clean water using the same method. To conserve water wash whites first and reuse the same water for darks. Dry flat in the shade and not in direct sunlight. Never use a tumble dryer as this will damage the fibres in the fabric.
We recommend only washing garments when necessary by spot cleaning. Treat stains immediately by gently massaging natural detergent into the stain and rising with cold water. For tougher stains refer to our natural stain removal suggestions.
Air clothes after wearing before storing by hanging on a wooden hanger before folding neatly.
Be careful when wearing sharp jewellery as it may catch and pull.
We recommend only using natural detergents that are gentle on your clothes and the environment. The chemicals used in traditional laundry detergents can weaken fibres and fabrics, natural alternatives prolong the longevity of your clothes.
Traditional laundry detergents contain chemicals such as synthetic surfactants and phosphates that can be harmful to aquatic life and surrounding ecosystems. These chemicals can also cause skin irritation.
Plant based and natural ingredients breakdown in the environment without harm.
Car share
Some festivals have set up car sharing initiatives
Or reach out on social media pages to cut down costs for you and on emissions! A win-win
Don’t throw away your tent!
Love your tent survey found out that over 60% of festival goers throw away their tent after festivals which ends up in landfill… take home your tent and re-use for future festivals!
Reusable cutlery
Cut down on single use plastics. One set of cutlery for each meal across a weekend adds up… carry a reusable set around with a pack of biodegradable wipes.
Re-usable water bottle
It’s super important to stay hydrated and a reusable BPA free water bottle is a no brainer
Forget wearing fast-fashion
Love your tent survey found out that over 60% of festival goers throw away their tent after festivals which ends up in landfill… take home your tent and re-use for future festivals!
Sustainable toiletry alternatives
Natural sunscreen, deodorant sticks, bamboo toilet roll and plastic free period products.
Most importantly: Clean up after yourself!
Love your tent survey found out that over 60% of festival goers throw away their tent after festivals which ends up in landfill… take home your tent and re-use for future festivals!
A note from our founder: Arnhem Bickley:
My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by the recent devastating floods in our corner of the world. Our team has been so overwhelmed, it is truly heartbreaking.
So many of our close friends have lost everything.
Some barely making it out alive.
Complete and utter devastation.
Seeing the strength of our wonderful community is incredible.
So many people giving time and energy to come together and help those in need.
This is what a community is about, coming together, not living in segregation or isolation, it’s about being there for each other.Community is what keeps our spirits strong. We are so proud to see our community coming together, the support, donations and fundraising efforts are inspiring and make us so proud to be a part of this beautiful Rainbow Region. But the road ahead of us is long and we know that we can always do more!With this in mind, we have decided to dedicate our next of our charity tee to the people of the Northern Rivers, 100% of proceeds of this tee will be donated to Givit, where the money will be filtered out to those in need, and we’re looking to our community to create something beautiful.
Calling all creatives! Submit your art for our Flood Relief Charity Tee
Do you want the chance to win a $500 Arnhem wardrobe and have your artwork printed on our Northern Rivers Flood Relief Tee?
The theme is "Community is what keeps our spirits strong."
First prize is $500 Arnhem Wardrobe and incredible exposure with your work fully credited featured a stunning Arnhem Tee.
Entries close on Friday 18 March, we will then open up teeshirt sales for pre-order!
Register below or share with a creative friend. We can't wait to create something beautiful and lend additional support to our neighbours in need.
]]>To wrap up our campaign, we asked Carbon Positive Australia to give us some tips on how to continue to reduce your emissions post challenge.
Lauren Purcell, Communications & Partnership Coordinator for Carbon Positive Australia, has some news for you.
I wanted to extend my thanks to you on behalf of our team for taking the time to calculate your footprint.
Whether you took just one thing from each of the weekly challenges or something from all, know that every change you make, no matter how small, makes a difference.
Understanding your carbon footprint is the first step towards making meaningful change, and in the last four weeks, you have learned how to make changes in the following areas:
My hope is that you continue to look at ways to make small changes and share with your friends and family the ways in which they can too.
As we face the multiple challenges of a changing climate, I wanted to leave you with some more inspiring actions that you can take on board to end the Carbon Challenge.
Lastly, I would like to extend my thanks not only to Arnhem for their support in this campaign but to the many businesses that got on board including:
The Arnhem Carbon Challenge may be coming to an end, but there is still so much work to be done. The devastating weather events in QLD and NSW have triggered memories of the fires we only fought two years ago, and at the end of February the IPCC released its bleakest warning yet on the impacts of climate change.
The IPCC report is stark. Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General said, "The latest IPCC report is an atlas of human suffering and a damning indictment of failed climate leadership".
We need to remember to continue to act because our choices really do matter to the future of humanity.
Over the coming year, we will have to stand up for our planet through the choices and actions we take. Our commitment at Carbon Positive Australia is to continue to empower you to take action and plant trees so that we all have a healthier planet for our children, our grandchildren, and other species with whom we share this planet.
I ask you to keep referring to the challenge blogs over the coming months and implement more steps where possible to make a change for the better.
If you would like to join us in the fight against climate change, we would love your support. By making a donation to Carbon Positive Australia, you will be funding tree planting, land restoration, research, and educational tools.
I would also encourage you to sign up for our newsletter so you can:
Sign up for our newsletter HERE.
Again, my sincere thank you to every single one of you for stepping up and making changes to benefit our country.
Our mission is to restore Australia.
But we can’t do it without you.
To date Carbon Positive Australia has:
Welcome to Week 4 of the Carbon Challenge.
Congrats on making it to Week 4 of the Carbon Challenge! This is the final week of our educational blog posts aimed at helping you learn a few useful tips on how to reduce your impact.
Good on you for getting this far. Taking the time out to educate yourself is the most important thing you can do to help our planet.
Most Aussies have felt the impact of a drought and the repercussions of water restrictions. It's important to monitor your personal water usage, but also be conscious of the water used behind the scenes of your every day behaviours. The fashion industry, for instance, is a major culprit of unnecessary water usage.
According to the UN, one pair of jeans takes 7,500 litres of water to make – a number that includes the water used to grow the cotton, make the denim and get the product shop-ready.
So let's dive in (no pun intended) to Water Week!
P.S. Don't forget to tell your friends and family there is still time to enter to win over $6K in sustainable prizes, entries close March 13th.
The Importance of Water
Water is vital for sustaining life. The human body is comprised of 60% water and approximately 70% of the earth’s surface is water, only 2.5% of which is fresh water and it is estimated that only 0.007% of the planets freshwater is accessible.
Water is essential for regulating climate and cycling nutrients and carbon. Not only do we depend on water for our very survival, but water is essential for agriculture and food securing as well as economic progress and human development.
Water & Sustainability
The Sustainable Development Goal number 6 is clean water and sanitation for all however systemic change is needed to manage water more efficiently providing more than the basic human needs. Complex political, social and economic factors can contribute to water scarcity as well as environmental factors.
According to the United Nations, water consumption has increased twice the rate of population growth. This disproportionate statistic highlights our excessive consumption and inefficient systems of water management.
We are facing a global water crisis with 785 million people not having access to safe drinking water.
It estimated that only 10% of global water consumption is domestic. Industrial and agricultural practices are responsible for the depletion of this precious resource.
It is critical to protect water at the source. Watersheds are being compromised by deforestation, agriculture and other polluting industries.
Deforestation in one area can impact precipitation (rainfall) in another as well as erosion and water quality.
Water and weather systems are interconnected both locally and globally, there is a need for efficient water management systems on a global scale.
Water quality has diminished, and demand has increased. Conserving and restoring natural infrastructure such as wetlands, rivers and forests and ensuring healthy balanced ecosystems are nature-based solutions.
Water conservation even on a domestic and personal level can help protect the health of rivers by reducing water extraction as well as resource depletion to build infrastructure for catchment and processing.
Water & Australia
Australia is the driest inhabited continent and yet as individuals we consume more water per person each year.
Water scarcity, droughts and wildfires are a real threat. We are currently experiencing La Nina, which means little girl in Spanish. This weather pattern results in increased rain fall; however we must not forget the recent Le Nino (little boy). We witnessed the extreme drought in 2018-2019 that culminated in the catastrophic wildfires of 2019-2020.
1996-2010 also a recent memory saw the devastation of the millennium drought.
Australia’s rainfall can be unpredictable and as populations increase water consumption in large cities is forecasted to grow by 73%.
Innovations in technology offer some solutions. Desalination (extracting fresh water from sea water) is one that has been tried and tested in Victoria but is grossly inefficient and consumes excessive amounts of energy and is extremely expensive.
Agriculture is responsible for 70% of Australia’s water footprint. There has been a lot of advancement in practices with improvements to irrigation and also more consideration to climate appropriate crops. This is essential as our aquifers have been depleted.
The food we consume has a significant water footprint. To give perspective, the average person will drink 2 litres of water each day, the daily impact of food we consume accounts for 2000-5000 litres. Reducing meat consumption can help as plants and grains require less water. The average hamburger for example takes 2400 litres to produce. That’s enough drinking water for one person for over 3 years!
It is reported that 40-50% of Australian domestic water use is outdoors. Planting native drought resistant species and mulching to prevent evaporation are very effective strategies to save water in the garden.
Water Waste Facts:
23 Tips To Save Water
Reducing our water consumption is simple and requires minimal effort and just a little mindfulness.
Get more water saving tips from Sydney Water!
Keeping Our Waterways Safe
It's also important to keep in mind which products you're using when you use water. All of the chemicals end up going down the drain and enter our waterways at some point. Using natural products and eco-friendly alternatives is crucial in keeping our planet and its biodiversity safe.
Check out our natural laundry powder recipe here.
Looking for some more eco friendly swaps? Flora Fauna have provided a few products to help you reduce your water use.
It's almost a wrap!
We hope you enjoyed these tips and can apply some of the information to your daily life. Stay tuned as we wrap up the challenge in the next few weeks and get ready to select a winner of the challenge. Don't forget to go back and recalculate your footprint! No matter what, pat yourself on the back for taking in all of this information and doing your bit for the planet.
Welcome to Week 3 of the Carbon Challenge.
First up, let’s take a moment to celebrate the fact that we’re now 50% of the way into the carbon challenge!
We’re super grateful that you’ve chosen to join us on this journey: taking the time to review the choices we make in our day-to-day lives, prioritising the climate, and doing what we can within our power to lessen our personal impact on the environment - that's a big deal.
For week 3 we’re focusing on travel and transport. One of the most effective ways to rethink and reduce your carbon footprint is to consider how much, how often, and actually the way that you choose to travel.
So, let’s start week 3 and see whether there are any small adjustments you can make that will reduce your carbon footprint…
12% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from road transport.
In Australia, transport is the third highest source of emissions and the largest growth sector, representing 17% of greenhouse gases. Civilian cars are responsible for half of Australia’s transport emissions.
88% of Australian households own at least one car and our transport emissions are reportedly 45% higher per capita than the OECD average (Organisations for Economic Co-operation and Development).
What if we switched to public transport?
Travelling by train produces 98% less carbon emissions per kilometre than travelling by car per passenger and yet only 10% of Australian commuters use public transport. The majority of other large global economies utilise public transport services, for example 72% of Chinese commuters travel by train.
We live in a car culture and as populations increase so does congestion and delayed transit times impacting not only air pollution but quality of life, time spent in traffic could be time spent with family.
Only 1 dollar is spent on rail to every 4 dollars spent on roads. For Australia to achieve its commitment of 26-28% emissions reductions by 2030 there has to be systemic Change. There needs to be government investment in public transport infrastructure to ensure accessible, reliable, efficient services. Services that use electric vehicles fuelled by renewable energy sources.
There are small glimmers of hope. Both Melbourne’s trams and Canberra’s Capitol Metro light railway project will soon be powered by renewable energy which offers some hope. To further drive public transport policy there has to be demand. Not only does public transport reduce emissions but it is a more affordable alternative. Why not investigate public transport options to travel to work?
If public transport is not an option, what about electric cars?
Hybrid (vehicles with a combined petrol engine and electric motor) and electric cars powered by renewable energy offer another clean alternative. The US, China, the Netherlands and Norway dominate the electric vehicle market. Approximately one quarter of Norway’s new car sales are electric while in Australia electric car sales only account for 0.8%.
Again, there needs to be government investment in charging infrastructure for electric cars however, for there to be a reduced impact the energy must be from renewable sources and not from Australia’s dominant dirty coal power. Rooftop solar and Greenpower options are available with a significant reduction in cost and emissions. Again, consumer demand will drive market and infrastructure change.
Reduce your carbon footprint and get fit by taking short journeys by bicycle.
The majority of car journeys are short distances and often with only one passenger. These journeys could easily be done on a bicycle.
E-bikes offer a viable and efficient alternative to motorised fossil fuel dependant transport. Reducing carbon impact and improving physical fitness as well as overall wellness. Increased activity can help foster lifestyle and behavioural change for a more balanced mind and body.
E-bikes have the advantage of an electric motor to assist cyclists with a seed of up to 25km/hour. Making them an efficient alternative for longer distances and loads to your average bicycle.
We have seen an escalation in shared mobility devices in urban areas such as electric bikes and scooters recently transitioning from docked to e-mobility using advanced self-locking technology and smartphone connectivity.
Many commuters have resorted to e-bikes in the pandemic to avoid crowded public transport, there has been a significant increase in sales globally. And another advantage to e-bikes is being in control of your own schedule without having to follow a timetable.
Sunshine Cycles are offering an exclusive hour free bike hire for our Byron Bay boutique customers this week, use the code ARNHEM so you can experience the benefits yourself. We are very excited to have an Ezeriderz e-bike for our office errands. You too can be the proud owner of an e-bike by entering the Carbon Challenge here.
To support a transition to cycling and walking there needs to be safe, secure and accessible infrastructure. Again, more public demand will drive government policies. In the US the government offer incentives for e-bikes such as tax credits – take note Australia!
Our office invested in an ezriderz E-Bike to use for all of our office errands, lunch runs, and quick trips to the shop in lieu of driving short distances and releasing unnecessary emissions! The winner of the Carbon Challenge will get their very own ezriderz x Arnhem custom bike in the cream colourway.
Better Together.
Carpooling and car sharing offer another solution. According to The Car Next Door every one of their shared cars takes up to 10 other cars off the road while offering an affordable alternative to owning a car.
While in the sky...
Air travel is a significant contributor responsible for 2% global emissions. If air travel were a country it would be in the top 10 most polluting.
According to the International Air Transport Association’s economic assessment there was a reduction of 352.7 MT CO2 from civil aviation in 2020 compared to the previous year demonstrating the huge impact of air travel.
Travel limitations experienced due to the pandemic meant that businesses had to adapt and shift to virtual platforms for meetings meaning less dependency on air travel.
The pandemic has also prevented us from travelling abroad, resulting in more domestic travel. We are blessed to live in a beautiful and diverse country with many climates and landscapes to explore.
And if you're flying for work, or pleasure, wherever possible fly direct, as landings and takeoffs use more fuel and produce more emissions.
Here are 13 tips and tricks to help you reduce your travel & transport carbon emissions:
As you make these positive changes to reduce your environmental impact, share your experience with your friends and family, and invite them to take the Carbon Challenge too – you’ll get an extra 10 points for sharing the challenge – just log back into your account here to be in with a chance to win more than $6,000 worth of earth loving, life enhancing prizes!
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Welcome to Week 2 of the Carbon Challenge.
This week we’ve drawn up a list of super achievable ways to make a difference when it comes to your carbon footprint and takling climate action.
Everything we use as consumers has a carbon footprint, and food and waste is something that we all have in common. If you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact on the planet and improve your wellbeing, then this week’s challenge is for you.
Plus, keep reading as we’ll let you into a little secret about something exciting coming in March - you're literally the first to know!
So, let’s find out where you are on your food and waste journey…
We live in a world of inequality where millions in developing nations face food insecurity. And yet food waste is responsible for 6% of greenhouse gas emissions. If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd largest emitter.
Methane released by decomposing food waste in landfill contributes 25 times more to global warming that CO2.
The United Nations set a target to halve post retail food waste by 2030 as part of the Sustainability Development Goals (SDG 12.3). Unfortunately, this only represents half of the problem with waste occurring through the whole supply chain. Factors such as climate, mould and pests can contribute to pre-retail loss. Furthermore it is estimated that a disgraceful 40% of produce is wasted due to cosmetic standards set by commercial supermarkets. Produce is rejected due to aesthetic imperfections that do not affect the taste or nutrition.
Food waste is a critical issue not only for the environment, but there are also social and economic implications.
It is reported that there is enough food produced to feed the entire world population. And one third of food produced globally is wasted.
Australia has made a commitment to halve food waste by 2030.
According to FIAL (The Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre) National Food Waste Feasibility study 2021, 7.6 tonnes of food is wasted annually here in Australia, that’s 312kg per capita. Approximately 70% of food wasted is edible. With a cost of €36.5 billion to the Australian economy, that’s $2000-$2500 per household annually.
The water required to produce the food wasted is 2628.3 gigalitres which equated to 286 litres per person, per day and 17.5 million tonnes of CO2 (production, transportation and disposal).
And yet it is reported that in 2019, 1 in 5 Australians experienced food insecurity. This figure increased by 47% in 2020 in light of the economic impact of Covid-19.
Households need to reduce their food waste by a minimum of 30% to meet the SDG target through lifestyle and behavioural changes. Here are some suggestions to achieve this:
Reducing meat consumption is another very powerful way to minimise your emissions.
50% of the earth's habitable land is used as farmland, the vast majority of which is livestock farming. As the global population grows and developing countries aspire to the Western diet, more natural habitats are being destroyed for grazing leading to deforestation, biodiversity loss and drought.
Global meat production accounts for 60% of greenhouse gases from food production. The destruction of forests, growing of grain for feed, methane and transportation all contribute to this. It is estimated that the livestock industry is responsible for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Australia is the 2nd biggest consumer of meat globally.
We can consume less meat, source local, ethically reared meat from farmers using regenerative practices that help to capture carbon in the soil. Wild meat is another great alternative to factory farmed, particularly invasive introduced species that are damaging native habitat, such as venison where culling programs already exist. Discover the ethical meat suppliers directory here.
It’s not just food waste we need to be mindful of, food packaging and in particular plastic is another serious contributor to emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing, transportation and end of life.
The convenience of single use plastic has become ingrained in our consumerist lifestyles with little thought of the repercussions. Plastic is lightweight, durable and cheap. We are seeing the true cost of this material and the harm to freshwater; terrestrial and marine ecosystems, as well as our health. The characteristics of plastic that have made it so commercially appealing have unfortunately contributed, being lightweight it is easily carried on currents and can travel to remote shores uninhabited by humans. Its durability means that it will take hundreds of years, if not more, to break down slowly degrading into smaller pieces.
Plastic is responsible for 3.8% of greenhouse gas emissions. If plastic were a country it would be the 5th highest emitter globally.
Australians are the worst offenders and consume the most single use plastics. We are responsible for an average of 59kg of plastic waste per person every year.
Here are some tips and tricks to reduce your plastic waste:
It’s not just single use packaging we need to be aware of. Our consumption and disposal of clothing and household items is also contributing to the climate crisis.
🌿 We have something incredibly exciting launching in March to help you close the loop … we will be launching Circulate, a dedicated space to buy and sell pre-owned Arnhem treasures! Stay tuned for more...
Each year 1.5 billion tyres are being discarded worldwide.
These tyres never decompose and are a breeding ground for deadly diseases: dengue, malaria, and zika. 60% of Indonesia’s waste tyres are being collected by factories and burned, releasing toxic gasses into the air and oil into the ground. As a brand born by the beach, we knew we needed to start wearing more sustainable sandals. This is why we started stocking Indosole at our Byron Bay boutique and have a $250 Indosole voucher as part of our Carbon Challenge grand prize!
We must reduce our consumption, reuse, repair and recycle.
In the meantime, get some tips and tricks on how to upcycle your clothing and invest in a Revive Sewing Kit!
As you make these positive changes to reduce your environmental impact, share your experience with your friends and family, and invite them to take the Carbon Challenge too – you’ll get an extra 10 points for sharing the challenge – just log back into your account here to be in with a chance to win more than $6,000 worth of earth loving, life enhancing prizes!
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Tarni, please introduce yourself...
Hi, I’m Tarni. I’m an Environmental Science student, skipper and underwater photographer based on the Sunshine Coast. I’m passionate about our oceans and hope to use photography as a way to highlight environmental issues and inspire others to live a sustainable lifestyle.
What environmental issue are you most concerned about?
I would probably have to say plastic waste. Learning about how plastic not only pollutes our land, but also contributes to greenhouse gas production and global warming, was the turning point for me. I reflected on my lifestyle and what I could do better to live as zero-waste as possible.
Here’s some information below about plastic and the effect it has on our planet.
Effects of plastic on our oceans:
Plastic production and global warming.
What can we do as individuals to make a difference?
Although so much of our planet’s waste is also produced by huge multi-million dollar companies, thankfully there are changes we can all make individually to help this global issue. Here are some simple swaps for commonly used plastic items in your house and lifestyle.
Some other actions you can take to make a difference:
If I had one message...
At the end of the day, making even one small change is better than nothing. The most important message I believe is to produce as little waste as possible, to be a conscious consumer and limit purchasing plastic items (especially single-use plastic items) as much as possible. Glass and metal alternatives are fantastic, but if you already have plastic items at home try to use these as long as possible before buying something more sustainable to replace it.
For your daily dose of ocean and nature inspiration follow Tarni on Instagram @tarnijai
Tarni wears the Wander Top and Shorts on Ochre from our most recent Made in Australia collection, Haven.
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Here at Arnhem, we have committed to manufacturing some of our collections here in Australia and consider it a significant step on our sustainability roadmap towards gaining greater transparency across our supply chain. We also believe that in making this commitment we are supporting future growth of the fashion and textiles manufacturing industry here in Australia, helping to rebuild what had become a dying industry sector.
To coincide with the launch of our second Made in Australia collection, Haven, we talk to Jyoti Durrant, our Sustainability Co-ordinator about what’s happened within the Australian fashion industry since our last Australian made collection.
It’s been almost a year since our last made in Australia collection launched. Reflecting on the year that has been and the continued impact of Covid-19 on global economies and supply chains. The pandemic has caused significant disruption with losses suffered due to order cancellations following lockdowns and border closures as retail stores closed and online sales declined.
The Australian fashion industry as a whole has suffered significantly. The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) conducted a survey with McKinsey & Company in early 2020 to assess the impact of the pandemic revealing an 87% decline in retail sales and 56% decline in online sales.
Brands experienced further disruption through supply chains due to factory closures, freight delays and increased freight costs due to emergency surcharges. Brands responded by closing retail operations, transitioning to working remotely and adopting new digital marketing and retail strategies.
With so much uncertainty in offshore supply chains, local manufacturing offered resilience and a competitive edge through efficiency in communication, visibility, and quality control. It allowed brands flexibility in responding to a changing market, for example, an increased demand for comfortable clothing, as more people worked remotely.
We saw a rise in industry collaboration and solidarity with business to customer initiatives such as the #wewearaustralian shop local campaign offering discount incentives for local fashion and donating to charities. We saw the emergence of online forums and industry support in the virtual space. Many local manufacturers adapted by making personal protective equipment.
We have seen a shift in consumer behaviour and sentiment, seeking brands with aligned values for ethical and sustainable practices. The economic impact means people are consuming less and purchases are consciously considered. More consumers are willing to invest in garments made ethically in Australia and recognise the higher price point is relative with the increased cost of local wages and overheads compared with offshore manufacturers.
Currently 8% of Australian apparel is manufactured on shore. Despite the challenges of the pandemic a recent report by the Australian Fashion Council found that the Australian fashion industry represents 1.5% of the economy, 1.7% of Australian exports and 3.8% of the labour market. 77% of which is female, providing economic security, advancement, and equality.
There is a need for investment and government incentives to ensure the growth of the industry here particularly with textiles; currently manufacturers must import fabric and yarn. Cotton and wool fibres are farmed in Australia and yet the facilities to process them into yarn are offshore. Cotton must be exported to be processed and re-imported to be knitted into jersey fabric. There are also limitations as to what fabrics can be produced here. There is so much potential for growth in this space and a need for innovation in technologies through industry investment and commitment and government support.
The training of future skilled workers is also a critical to ensure sustained growth.
The pandemic has exposed inadequacies and vulnerability of our economic system and dependencies on volatile supply chains, and the need for self-sufficiency. As restrictions begin to lift and the consumer landscape is changing, there is potential for growth. By manufacturing locally, we are not only supporting local economies and communities, creating employment in ethically certified factories, but reducing our carbon and environmental impact. By purchasing Haven you are supporting the made in Australia industry.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” - Vincent Van Gogh.
Don't forget to register for the Carbon Challenge for your chance to win $6K in prizes!
Welcome to Week 1 of the Carbon Challenge.
We’re kicking things off with what we think is one of the easiest ways to collectively make a big difference. Granted it’s going to take a little research, and some up-front work, but once you’ve made these small changes you can literally set and forget!
Week 1 we’re talking Power, Banks & Super… don’t let these three words put you off! Trust us, 30 minutes of your time invested in research and action can make a huge difference to what you care about – the health of people & planet!
So, let’s get started…
The Dirty Truth
Residential energy use represents 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Australia has the highest emissions per capita of all developed countries, emissions from electricity represent a third of Australian greenhouse gases. 62% of electricity is produced from dirty coal making the Australian grid once of the most polluting in the world.
Only a quarter of Australian electricity comes from renewable sources despite having an abundance of resources. 
However, consumers are becoming more conscious; 20% of Australian households have rooftop solar systems with government initiatives such as the small scale renewable energy scheme making renewable alternatives more accessible for home owners and small businesses.
How Green is Your Power Provider?
While solar will save you money in the long term it can be expensive to install. There are many energy providers that offer cleaner energy however it’s important to compare options before making a decision. For example, one established provider was recently bought by Shell, a multinational oil and gas giant undermining their authenticity.
No provider is able to guarantee the source of energy as all electricity comes from the national grid with no visibility of its source be it renewable or fossil fuel based. Clean energy providers operate by off-setting emissions. Ideally providers will also invest in new renewable developments rather than existing sources. New infrastructure ensures the growth of the clean energy industry.
How to Green Your Home.
Greenpower is a government managed scheme, providing 100% renewable accredited local energy sources such as hydro, solar, wind and bioenergy. Making Greenpower Australia’s most sustainable energy provider, empowering consumers to be part of a collective movement to a greener cleaner energy. Greenpower has a greater impact than other providers as other carbon neutral schemes are not always based within Australia. Carbon neutral off-setting initiatives can vary from waste management to tree planting.
Another consideration when choosing a new provider are sustainability and transparency policies.
Wild Energy at Arnhem.
We use Enova Community Energy, Australia’s first community-owned energy retailer which is also a social enterprise, based in the Northern Rivers. Community-owned and operated, Enova is renewables-focused, with all of its energy sourced from its own customers’ rooftops and from Diamond Energy, a renewable energy generator. As a social enterprise, Enova re-invest 50% of profits into its not-for-profit arm to build self-sustaining and resilient communities through locally generated and shared renewable energy. Enova aims to assist communities make the transition to renewable energy without leaving anyone behind; to keep jobs and profits in local communities; and to reduce carbon emissions. Enova currently operates throughout New South Wales and South East Queensland.
Invest to Save The Planet.
Not only can you can reduce your footprint through your energy provider, but your choice of bank and superannuation fund can have a significant social and environmental impact. So many of us are unaware of where our money is being invested and if investments are in line with our personal values. Many global financial institutions have traditionally invested in harmful industries that are contributing to the climate crisis and inequality for example fossil fuels, nuclear weapons, arms, gambling, tobacco, live animal exports and unethical labour, just to name a few. We have the power to make meaningful change through our choices.
Who’s the Greenest of Them All?
There are authentic and transparent socially responsible finance options however, there is unfortunately limited regulation of sustainable investment. Responsible Investment Association Australia (RIAA) is an independent accreditation body that regulates sustainable investment. However ethical and sustainable practise are not clearly defined. For example, a fund can claim to exclude fossil fuels but still earn up to 20% of their revenue from fossil fuels and the minimum standard for ethical practices are not investing in arms or tobacco. 
According to Market Forces, Australia’s major banks funded €8.9 billion of investment into coal, oil and gas in 2020, an 18% increase from 2019 despite committing to the global goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
Health insurers are waking up to the impact of fossil fuels on human health and many are divesting from polluting industries.
It’s important to do your research before making a decision on who to entrust your money with – check out our suggested tools, and find out what Jade at Salty Aura did below.
Green Web Hosting
Search engines are another consideration. Ecosia, a German based not for profit donates 80% of its profits to organisations throughout the world with a focus on native tree planting working with local communities. They offer transparency and do not capitalise on your personal data. 
21 Ideas to Minimise Your Carbon Footprint
Here are some tips and tricks to reduce your emissions through your energy usage and take back your power to minimise your environmental and social impact:
Energy.
1. Turn lights and appliances off when not in use
2. Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient LEDs
3. Compare energy efficiency ratings when buying new appliances
4. Wash clothes in cold water
5. Dry clothes naturally, do not use clothes dryers
6. Use the eco setting when using a dishwasher
7. Utilise sunlight to warm your home by opening curtains
8. Ensure your home is well insulated
9. Set your hot water system to 50 degrees Celsius
10. Conserve hot water by taking shorter showers
11. Wear layers in winter and invest in a hot water bottle
12. Adjust your thermostat to a lower setting
13. Install solar panels
14. Switch to a clean energy provider
15. Off-set through charitable donations
16. Plant trees
Power
1. Research and switch to ethical banking
2. Research and switch to a socially and responsible super fund
3. Market Forces offer insights into responsible finance:
4. Research alternative search engines that respect privacy and personal data
5. Research and switch to ethical and responsible health insurance
Don’t forget to go back to the Carbon Calculator.
You can check your quarterly power and gas bills and divide them by three to get your monthly total. When you make the switch to clean energy, over the course of the following months you can go back and update your totals, and compare the impact that you’ve had on the planet.
Head on back to our Carbon Challenge here. 
How Jade from Salty Aura Joined The Movement
Our friend Jade from Salty Aura has provided some information on her journey with divesting and shifting her banking choices for the planet.
Who do you bank with?
I think it’s crazy how we are told all the little ways we can be more sustainable (reusable coffee cups, bamboo straws etc) but you hardly hear people talk about our bank and super account. The guys you bank with could literally be using your money to invest in fossil fuels. For example, in the last 5 years ANZ have loaned $13 BILLION to fossil fuels!!
Banks funding fossil fuels and their subsidiaries. In 5 years loaned:
Each time you make a deposit, your bank essentially borrows some of that money from your account and lends it out to other borrowers, whether it’s an auto or home loan, a personal loan, or credit.
Once we found this out, we switched as soon as we could. This meant even switching our home loan. It’s so worth it in the long run! We now use Bank Australia. They are carbon neutral, support climate positive projects and are b Corp certified. There is a huge list of other great banks here**https://phillydigitalgallery.com/info/compare-bank-table/
Who is your super fund manager?
This is even more important than who you bank with. Your super account exists so it can invest your money, to grow overtime for retirement. There’s a very high chance yours may be investing this money straight into mining companies and fossil fuels, so this is an important one to look into.
I changed our super funds to Australian Ethical, and it literally took minutes to do! You just give them your TFN and they gather all the money from your other super accounts into theirs automatically. If you have a lot in your super, speak to a professional first before you make the switch, as you may have insurance tied up in yours.
https://phillydigitalgallery.com/superfunds/
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Arnhem has partnered with Carbon Positive Australia to bring you a 4 week challenge to help you understand your impact and make small changes to your life that will have big impact!
Register and follow our weekly challenges and you could win a $1000 wardrobe from Arnhem AND a custom Arnhem x Ez Riders electric bike ($2680 value) for participating. Plus, you could win a bunch of other prizes from our partners like, a voucher for fresh slides from Indosole, a new Tushy Bidet, two Salty Aura rugs, locally made beeswax candles from Ahana Candles a $250 voucher to Pottery for The Planet, and so much more.
Calculate your footprint and upload a screenshot after entering for 100 extra entries!
Join the challenge to win over $6000 EUR in prizes:
Each Sunday, we'll send you tips and tricks on how to reduce your emissions, plus share content with our partners on our socials, so be sure to be following us!
Carbon Challenge with Carbon Positive
Carbon Positive Australia is a registered Australian charity established in 2001. Their mission is to restore land and sequester carbon through ecologically sensitive tree-planting projects.
Australia is a unique and diverse continent. 85% of Australian plant species are endemic, and 7-10% of all species on the planet are found in Australia. But this wealth of biodiversity is under threat. WWF’s 2020 Living Planet Report revealed that Australia’s wildlife population declined by up to 97% between 1970 and 2016. This loss was further compounded by recent droughts and the devastation of the 2019/20 fires, where it is estimated that approximately 20-100 threatened species and their habitats were destroyed. Other contributing factors are population growth and unsustainable consumption, and the exploitation of land and natural resources. The irresponsible introduction of invasive species of animals, plants, and pathogens has also caused destruction to ecosystems.
Carbon Positive Australia’s mission is to rehabilitate and restore degraded land. They work with natural systems, planting climate-specific native trees to create habitat and provide fodder for animals, birds, insects, and sclerophyll species (vegetation adapted to prevent moisture loss in the landscape). Another focus is riparian regeneration. Riparian corridors are the interface between land and waterways. They provide structure and stability for the soil, preventing erosion and retaining moisture and nutrients, building healthy soils, and resilience to drought. By increasing ecological balance, they provide clean waterways and diverse vegetation and habitat.
Carbon Positive Australia also supports landowners in carbon farming, sequestering carbon through their native reforestation projects while protecting agricultural heritage. They provide community engagement and education, and connection to country. They also support businesses in their journeys to becoming carbon neutral.
Carbon Positive Australia was the first organisation to introduce an online carbon footprint calculator. Tailored to Australian households, the calculator is a free tool designed to educate and empower individuals to reduce their personal impact. The calculator features a user-friendly interface and can be accessed via desktop and mobile platforms. It contains relatable facts and resources to help navigate lifestyle changes, allowing individuals to reduce and offset carbon emissions. Results can be shared and compared.
Small individual behavioural changes add up to big impacts. We have a window of opportunity, and collectively our actions can make a difference. We can choose to take responsibility to protect and conserve planetary systems by reducing our carbon emissions. These delicately balanced systems support life; a temperature rise above 1.5 ℃ will have catastrophic consequences on biodiversity, human health, economies, and food and water security.
Understanding your carbon footprint is the first step towards making meaningful change.
“There is the saying that if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together, and tackling climate change is something we should do together. It is not up to one individual, and it certainly isn’t something we can do on our own. We should be empowering and encouraging one another; within our families, in our friendship circles, with our colleagues at work, to make small changes to better this Earth”. – Lauren Purcell, Communications & Partnerships Coordinator for Carbon Positive Australia
Our Australian Carbon Footprint Calculator is a free step-by-step tool that empowers you to make positive changes to reduce your carbon footprint and combat climate change.
The Carbon Footprint Calculator helps you understand your carbon footprint and provides facts, tips and practical steps to reduce and offset your emissions.
This user-friendly version of Australia’s first carbon calculator is based on Australian emissions factors and provides a transparent and accurate calculation.
For more than 20 years, Carbon Positive Australia’s native revegetation projects have restored degraded land across Australia and captured carbon. This means when you offset your footprint with us, you are restoring our native landscapes and fighting climate change.
Calculate your footprint here and get 100 extra entries in the giveaway!
Join us on our new year’s resolution journey to reduce our carbon impact and take the Carbon Challenge:
Final call for entries will be the 13th of March, 2022.
Together we can turn the tide on climate change.
AHANA is a mother and daughter co-creation; born from a shared love and reverence of the alchemy of beeswax and flame. AHANA translates to ‘Inner Light’ and reflects the simple yet ancient ritual of lighting a candle and the devotion to spirit and self that it ignites deep within us. Our desire is to create beautiful and pure luxury candles that evoke a feeling of sacredness and divinity in both hearth and body. Beeswax is a precious gift from nature and when burned in its purest form, beeswax aids in cleansing the air, offers a calming warm glow and burns for longer. Our earth is our only home and we are committed to her preservation; all of our candles are made with locally sourced pure beeswax and are packaged with care for our planet. Our candles are lovingly hand poured in the Northern Rivers, on Bundjalung land, infused with the beauty and magic of the valleys and forests that we are blessed to be surrounded by. May we all ignite our light from within.
Marianni & Valentina
Pottery for The Planet is the creative love-child of Renton Bishopric and Clare Botfield. These two artists and passionate activists were drawn together through environmental campaigning back in 2006, and have continued to campaign (and do life) together ever since. Pottery For The Planet exists to contribute to the Earth’s long and healthy life, by eradicating single-use culture and plastic waste across the globe. Through beautiful, unique designs and high-quality, handmade products, we aim to save over 1.2 billion disposable coffee cups going into landfill each year (That's just Australia). We will continue to innovate in order to bring new products to market that will further reduce single-use waste across the globe. Our products are intended to create exponential awareness and inspire positive action as they spark the conversations we need to have in cafes and beyond.
Indosole - Each year 1.5 billion tyres are being discarded worldwide. At Indosole we have found a better use for these tyres and have prevented over 100,000 tyres from landfills and given them new life as soles for our footwear. The idea of turning tyres into soles came from the Indonesian people. Through ingenuity they, like many cultures around the world, managed to turn trash into something functional and new. Sustainability does not need to be boring. We think of environmentalism as fun. We want to live a beautiful and fun life with good health and good friends. A clean and diverse environment allows for human health and happiness, for us, our friends, family, all of mankind and the animal kingdom. We hold transparency and honesty to the highest - within our supply chain, workers rights and wellbeing, partnerships and decision making. We limit toxicity. We innovate. We research, learn, grow, think, learn, wear.
Salty Aura Our names are Jake and Jade and we are a young couple based in Middleton, South Australia. Our aim is to help inspire you all to get out and explore more of this incredible world, while also giving back to it. We are currently travelling Australia in our high top troop carrier, while designing more rugs and beautiful things. We wanted to bring you quality aesthetics which can accompany you on your own adventures while also making a difference. Our rugs were created to take with us on our road trips, where we would spend most of our nights on sand, dirt or grass. We needed something to keep all that out, but at the same time, we also wanted something we could snuggle up in on those cold nights.
Byron Bay Apiaries honey comes from three generations of beekeepers, nestled in the lush hills of the Byron Bay Hinterland. The Black family have been cultivating bees here since the 1970s and are committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our key ecosystems by supporting these pollinators. Hayden and Adrian, a father and son team, are often seen in the Byron Hinterland transporting hives, catching stray swarms and giving them new homes, or tending to their existing hives. Byron Bay Apiaries works with small batch honey across a range of fields and farms throughout the northern rivers region, allowing resilience to build across colonies. Our practice relies on the natural ebb and flow of the seasons, avoiding too much human intervention to create a product that is raw and natural. We love our bees, and seeing the golden nectar enjoyed by so many gives us great joy.
TUSHY is a team of toilet crusaders, fighting for clean bums and reduced global wastefulness. TUSHY was founded by Miki Agrawal to upgrade the American bathroom experience with a modern, best-in-class, affordable bidet attachment. Wiping with toilet paper after you poop is not only ineffective but contributes to many health issues (from wet wipes too!), not to mention kills 15 million trees to make the toilet paper. After an eye opening trip to India, Miki also decided she had a personal and corporate social responsibility to tackle the country’s defecation issues. After founding TUSHY, Miki enacted a corporate give-back program. Through the give back program, a portion of each TUSHY provides one family in India with access to clean community toilets by partnering with Samagra.
Santos Organics was created back in 1978 from the original vision of ‘the good life’... good vibes and good food. We source the best organic food and natural lifestyle products, and every single one goes through our Santos Organics Care-Check, so you can rest assured that if you shop with us, you’re shopping consciously. We’re a little shop with a big heart and we believe that to care for ourselves is just as important as caring for Mother Earth. As an environmental not-for-profit social enterprise, every time you shop with us, you’re shopping for the good of people and planet. We donate a portion of our profits annually to support a range of awesome organisations working hard to improve our environment. We focus our investments to support the local economy and work actively to eliminate waste across our operations.
Sunshine Cycles were created in 2016 with a passion for community and the environment. We pride ourselves on having a sustainable purpose inspired by the wonders of freedom. Beginning our journey in the idyllic seaside town, Byron Bay, we could see that there needed to be a change in how our visitors and residents got around. There is a massive traffic problem in such a small town and many people who live and visit here have the environment at the top of their priority list, it was a perfect incubator for Australia’s first solar-powered ebike pods. All our bike pods are made using recycled shipping containers, solar-powered and our bikes are offset, so you can be sure that when you are taking in the sights and sounds of this amazing community you are keeping the health of the planet in mind. You can hire a Sunshine Cycles bike when you are next in town, and if you are wanting a pod in your town, reach out to us.
Ezriderz was created with a similar ethos and passion for sustainability as Sunshine Cycles, we wanted to not only be a bike hire solution for people in Byron Bay but for our customers and followers to have an
environmental solution, available all over Australia. Ezriderz was born. Ezriderz is all about style, accessing freedom, being healthy, and never compromising on quality. We use the highest quality components, offer long-range km’s, the latest technology, customisations and our fat tyre bikes are designed to go anywhere. From urban landscapes to off the beaten track, our 70’s inspired choppers will revolutionise how you get around. Be in charge of your freedom.
Zero Co are on an audacious mission to rid the world of single-use plastic and clean up the junk in our oceans. They’re doing just that by making single-use plastic free body-care and home-cleaning products that are vegan, grey water/septic tank safe and made from plant-based formulas here in Australia. Their beautiful Forever Bottles are made from ocean, beach and landfill bound plastic (OBL), made to last a lifetime and refill forever with pouches that you send back to Zero Co (for free!) to be cleaned, re-filled and sent back out to another customer. Oh, and every order is delivered carbon negative. Yup, not neutral, negative!
Zero Co want to help Aussies make sustainable switches and ditch single-use plastic in their kitchen, laundry and bathrooms for good. It’s easy and can have a big impact - The average Aussie uses 3,109 single-use plastic bottles (of the 10 products Zero Co make) in their lifetime. That’s 1 BILLION bottles Aussies buy and throw away every single year. Imagine reducing that many bottles in your lifetime?
Our new print Wander is wearable art: a classic bohemian print, infused with delicate hand-painted florals and paisley motifs. Our fluid, breezy silhouettes are offered in two warm hues, Ochre and Pink Sands. Each responsible treasure is crafted from 100% Lenzing™ Ecovero™, a soft botanical fibre with up to 50% lower water impact and CO2 emissions than generic viscose.
We define the collection as sensual luxury created with the deepest respect for people and planet.
Rebelling against the notion of on-trend, disposable fashion, each timeless piece is an investment in a healthier, more connected future of fashion.
Launching soon in both Ochre and Pink Sands…
Whilst Australian made products generally come at a higher price point, when you purchase a piece from Haven you are investing in more than just clothing; you are choosing to support local independent business and are helping to build thriving local economies, working towards creating a culture of localization.
To find out more about why we need to build resilience into our supply chain and support our local community and economy, watch the film where we interview our design team and makers from Lux Design Group in South Yarra, VIC and talk about the challenges and opportunities around fashion manufacturing here in Australia. WATCH NOW
And, if you are interested to discover what happened to our textile manufacturing industry here in Australia, our Sustainability Co-ordinator Jyoti shares the history on the journal: READ MORE HERE.
Special thanks to...
Let's start with some reflections and highlights from the last three months of 2021.
“However ambitious, fashion’s environmental efforts are all for naught, say critics, if the industry doesn’t also address its overproduction problem, which they say is the underlying driver of its mammoth carbon, water and waste footprints.” - Vogue Business, Fashion’s sustainability agenda: Where to start
One of our favourite highlights from Q2, 2021 was launching Freya, our first Made To Order collection. We recognised our contribution to one of fashion’s biggest problems – waste via overproduction. With continually evolving demand, we saw we were sitting on more stock than our consciences could handle as a sustainable brand. So, we took action to work towards changing our business model in order to create less waste by launching our Made To Order collection, Freya.
The fashion industry is complicit in the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest, another reason why we are passionately obsessed with LENZING™ ECOVERO™ and continue to explore conscious fibre choices that are better for our people and the planet.
“For viscose, which has been associated with heavy deforestation, brands can start making the switch to sources of viscose that are made from recycled clothing or food waste, which uses 90 per cent less water, 75 per cent less energy and greener chemistry than forest based viscose, notes Rycroft.”
We launched two new belts made from 100% LWG certified leather. Learn more about Leather Working Groups traceability efforts for combating deforestation in the leather industry here.
As climate change becomes an undebatable mainstream issue, brands are going to do everything in their power to ensure people continue to shop with them. This can be a good thing, meaning brands change their strategies in order to meet consumer demand by creating ethical products. On the flip side it can also mean marketing and product team will do whatever they can to keep up with consumer sustainability preferences on a surface level. This means offering little to no substance underneath the flashy products, ads, and marketing.
This is where the term greenwashing comes in.
Greenwashing is the process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company's products are more environmentally sound. Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly. – Investopedia
Some of the biggest brands are the worst culprits of greenwashing behaviour and it isn’t just the fashion industry. There are no regulations in the beauty industry for naming your brand with terms like organic, clean, eco, etc. For example, if the brand name is ‘Simple’ and the look and feel is earthy with leaves in the logo, it makes sense to assume this is an eco-friendly or clean brand. More often than not, when you look at the ingredients, the branding is creating an impression of ‘ethical and healthy’ but the products are full of nasty chemicals.
Well, the same is for the fashion industry.
Fast-fashion brands are some of the worst culprits, hopping on the sustainability bandwagon in order to keep profits growing without truly offering sustainable or ethical products.
Changing Markets Foundation found that, “Ninety-six percent of claims that H&M made to promote Conscious were misleading and fake. Instead of their clothing being produced from 100% organic cotton, only 20% of it actually was organic cotton because “it wouldn’t have the same quality.” Under Conscious’ section on H&M’s website, it never stated where the materials were sourced.” — Sydney Race, The Central Trend, Companies are lying to us by greenwashing their products
Changing Markets Foundation also revealed in their report that of the brands who made sustainability claims in their products, 60% of these big brand’s sustainability claims were false or unsubstantiated. Some of the brands included in this study were; Asos, Boohoo, Forever 21, George at Asda, Gucci, H&M, Louis Vuitton, Marks & Spencer (M&S), Uniqlo, Walmart, Zalando and Zara.
We know we’re not perfect, but reporting each quarter on our efforts is a step towards transparency and a more ethical fashion industry.
It has been said - that you are wise when you learn from your mistakes. So, looking back to move forwards, here are some of our 2022 intentions:
We are making more space by creating smaller, more considered collections.
Thanks to you, our test pilot Freya was a huge success, so we will continue to offer Made To Order collections – only making the exact number of garments you order.
We’re getting cryptic with this one as it’s a big marker on our sustainability road map, but let’s just say that soon you yourself will have the chance to join our circular fashion movement on a new Australia-first platform.
Learn more about our sustainability efforts over the years and future roadmap.
Strategy and Commitments.
“What a wild year, the highs and lows of the last 12 months have left me feeling dizzy. From the initial lockdowns of 2020 to the hyped up, frenzied success of the beginning of this year, when I stop to reflect, my dominant feeling is that of humbled gratitude.
With ongoing restrictions and uncertainties that we are facing on a global scale, it is paramount to me that we continue supporting each other now and in the future. I am excited to be part of a community that values sustainability and uses their buying power to create change.
As creators of timeless, new fashion we choose to focus on being as responsible as possible in our approach towards design, sourcing materials and manufacturing, ensuring that we give back and have minimal, to no impact on people and planet.
Whilst we have achieved so much, there is much more that we need to do. Sustainability is a lifelong journey and with your support it’s possible for us to make the future of fashion more sustainable, creating from a place where all life forms and future generations can flourish.
Thank you; what you buy really does makes a difference.”
Arnhem xx
2022 Sustainability Roadmap – where attention goes, energy flows…
Stay tuned to our Quarterly Impact Reports in 2022 to see how we’re doing.
If you have any feedback for us email [email protected] or DM us through Instagram @arnhem_clothing
Climate change is, and always will be, a hot topic. To survive rising temperatures every system in the world, natural or human, will need to be as strong and healthy as we can make it.
For this Q1 2021/22 Impact Report we are focusing on COP26 - the world’s opportunity to deliver a credible, binding response to the climate disaster we currently face. And, we are highlighting our industry's impact, and what we are doing to take responsibility.
So what is COP26 about?
Conference of the parties, otherwise known as COP is an annual global United Nations climate conference attended by our world leaders. COP26, the 26th annual conference postponed in 2020 due to Covid-19, is currently being held in the UK in Glasgow with 196 world leaders attending. Here they unite forces to tackle climate change and accelerate action towards achieving the Paris Agreement climate goals made back in 2015 at COP21. At COP21 every country agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial revolution levels, with a reduction of 45% carbon emissions by 2030.
Alas, we have seen an increase in carbon emissions since the agreement was made and have subsequently witnessed devastating and unpredictable climate chaos from drought and wildfires, to extreme storms and flooding events.
Threatening our very survival. There is a sense of urgency and need for solidarity.
It is reported that the global temperature rise has already exceeded 1 degrees Celsius and more than one fifth of all human populations live in regions that have experienced a raise of 1.5 degrees Celsius. On the current trajectory global warming could increase by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century - this would be catastrophic.
There's no denying the science.
There have been intense discussions at COP26. These are just some of the highlights:
But, these strategies only form part of the solution. We need to transition to a circular economy, moving away from the current take, make, waste economic model. Redesigning products and services that eliminate waste and emissions by keeping resources in the value chain within industry, land use and agriculture. This will require innovation, financial investment and systemic infrastructural change through government policy.
So is there hope?
As individuals we can make a difference through lifestyle changes that can help the plight of our planet; shop locally, consume less meat, recycle more, take public transport. However, this is not enough, we need to lobby our government to take action. They have the power to change policy and stop the destruction and pollution of our precious planet.
Fashion's Impact.
A 2020 report found that the Fashion industry’s emissions are actually set to rise to around 2.7 billion tons a year by 2030, if current measures stay the same. Fashion’s emissions would be at double the maximum level required to be in line with the Paris Agreement’s aim to keep global warming to 1.5°C.
But in other news... we now have a shiny new number for how polluting the fashion industry is: 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That's a huge drop from the original 10% figure frequently cited - a number that some UN intern made up a decade ago.
The new 2% number is courtesy of The World Resources Institute and the Apparel Impact Institute, which recently co-released a new report. They used Higg and Textile Exchange data to come up with 1.025 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) released as a result of fashion in 2019.
"Unchecked, emissions will grow to 1.588 Gt by 2030, well off pace to deliver the 45 percent absolute reduction needed to limit warming to 1.5°C," the report said.
What are we doing?
There’s a lot of work ahead of us to become truly sustainable and we are committed to being honest, transparent, and taking responsibility for our actions. We are trying to stay in line with the Paris Agreement emissions reductions targets. This quarter, we are looking to expand our carbon emission reduction targets as a business and setting our goals for the year ahead.
Our challenge.
One of the biggest challenges we face as a company, and as an industry is visibility through our entire supply chain.
Our commitment.
In July 2020, we set the target to reduce the carbon emissions from our freight by 45% by 2025 in line with the Paris Agreement.
Our goal for 2021-22 is to introduce environmental auditing with our key Tier 1 suppliers, expanding our emissions reporting through our supply chain. We will continue to report on freight emissions and will also review emissions generated by our store, head office and distribution centre.
This visibility will allow us to develop a more targeted strategy for carbon off-setting. The environmental auditing will also provide an insight into our Tier 1 supplier water consumption and waste water treatment, which is another critical issue.
The introduction of made to order collections is another exciting sustainable strategy. It is reported that the fashion industry is responsible for 92 million tonnes of solid waste annually. 30% of clothes made remain unsold as deadstock.
Fast fashion is a relatively new phenomenon. This faced paced instant gratification fuels a disposable mindset. Traditionally clothes were made to order; the anticipation fostering a deeper appreciation. We believe designing classic timeless pieces using a made to order model offers a slow sustainability solution to reduce textile waste, resource depletion and carbon emissions.
Additionally we are introducing an exciting new initiative to move towards a circular fashion economy: watch this space!
Our goals for 2021-22 in line with the Paris Agreement emissions reductions targets.
Here's a snapshot of our Q1 2021/22 Performance.
Reduced fibre impact.
By using sustainable fibres in place of generic fibres we have reduced our impact by:
Reference: Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Higg Material Sustainability Index.
Want to decode the above? Head on over to our glossary of sustainability terms here.
Circularity: Revive.
To meet the UN targets we need to transition to a circular economy, moving away from the current take, make, waste economic model. Redesigning products and services that eliminate waste and emissions by keeping resources in the value chain.
This quarter, we have repurposed most of the waste fabric from landfill to craft our Dylan Revive Scrunchies and Headbands, launching soon!
We are expanding our Revive offering, collaborating with local designers and makers…stay tuned for more...
So Extra.
We’re proudly extra! We avoid plastic at all costs – no plastic packaging, trims as in buttons and zips, or kimbles. We use exclusively FSC recycled materials for packaging and swing tags. We keep it it all compostable.
There’s a lot of work ahead of us to become truly sustainable and we are committed to being honest, transparent, and taking responsibility for our actions. We’re forever grateful to you for joining and supporting us on this journey.
Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow.
Every year approx. 640,000 tonnes of ghost fishing nets are discarded in the oceans. Some industrial fishing nets can be up to 10 kilometres long. Powerful ocean currents circulate the nets where they can travel for years, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Millions of marine animals are entangled and killed by ghost fishing nets every year, including whales, dolphins, sea turtles and countless other species.
A Deep Dive On Our Swim.
Our swim separates are responsibly made from 78% ECONYL® regenerated nylon
ECONYL® is regenerated nylon made from pre and post-consumer waste such as fishing nets and other nylon waste.
And these nets, together with other nylon waste such as fabric scraps, carpet flooring and industrial plastic, are then regenerated into ECONYL® yarn that can be infinitely recycled.
More Than A Drop In The Ocean.
As well as being a solution on waste, for every 10,000 Tons of ECONYL® regenerated nylon created:
And, it reduces the global warming impact of nylon by up to 90% compared with the material from oil.
The Dirty Facts.
Nylon = Plastic. And, Plastic, Oil & Gas are deeply connected.
99% of plastic is made from a compound called ethane, which comes from oil and natural gas.
Ethane is heated to 1500°F to create the building block of all plastic – ethylene, which gets mixed in with other chemicals before being molded into various plastic materials and products, like fishing nets.
Natural gas and petroleum contribute to a huge portion of methane emissions, one of the most potent green-house gases. Human created methane is responsible for at least a quarter of the planet’s warming.
And, the sad truth is that as renewable energy and electric cars are decreasing the demand for oil and gas, some oil giants are turning to plastics as a source of stable demand in the future.
Take action to break the pipeline by choosing to wear sustainable, or recycled fibres, asking questions, and consciously reducing your use.
How To Green Wash.
Our swimwear is responsible, but it could be more sustainable.
Recycled ✅ Regenerated ✅ But, it’s still made from synthetic fibres.
Synthetic fabrics shed microfibers when washed. Microfibres are tiny pieces of plastic. This plastic then leaches into our waterways, and ends up in the ocean.
Green wash your swim by using a Guppyfriend Wash Bag.
Guppyfriends reduce microfiber shedding and capture up to 90% of microfibers helping to prevent plastic pollution in our oceans.
Dive Right In.
For a stylish swim that’s good for the environment and highly responsible, and gives back through 1% For The Planet, allow what you want to flow to you.
SHOP NEW SWIM SEPARATES
Tides Of Change.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) starts today.
As nations meet to consider how to address the climate crisis, we need our world leaders at national and international levels to advance two major efforts to restore the health of our oceans.
1. To reverse biodiversity loss, we need all nations to commit fully to protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Currently, less than 3% of the ocean is fully protected from extractive activities.
2. To address climate change, we need to invest in ocean-based solutions to draw down carbon. Ocean-based solutions can contribute to more than 20% of necessary carbon reductions, but efforts are chronically underfunded.
Combined, these two critical efforts will help to protect our oceans so that it can protect the planet and us.
Find out more about ocean-based solutions for carbon removal here.
Reflect On This.
Our friends at Only One have created this thought-provoking video, with the message that in order to move forward, we must first look back…
Climate Action Must Include the Ocean.
Together we learn, together we act.
If you want to do more to push for change, add your name to the global petition urging world leaders to embrace the ocean as a climate solution.
SIGN NOW
🌏 ♻️👙💦
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To celebrate yesterday’s #WorldFoodDay we wanted to put a spotlight on how locally grown food can help the future of our planet.
Industrialised farming has created a world that is dependent on large energy intensive machines, illogical export and trade, pesticides use, and unethical working conditions that are creating higher emissions and destroying biodiversity.
So next time you shop at your local farmers market or spend time in your veggie garden, know that you are helping keep our planet beautiful and our people healthy.
Shopping at a local farmers market not only gives a rewarding job to a farmer in their community that promotes connection, it helps give the farmer a better livelihood. Supermarket chains are known for price gouging farmers, so when you buy direct from the farmer you are taking out the middle man, helping them earn a proper living wage for their hard work.
A simple way for you to do a huge bit for the planet is shopping at a farmers market.
By doing this you are also reducing the emissions from the distance the food travels to your plate.
Even better, if you're shopping organic and locally, you're helping support luscious biodiverse ecosystems that keep our planet humming the way it should!
Find an Australian farmers market near you
On #WorldFoodDay Regeneration International partnered with a coalition of organizations including Local Futures, IFOAM, Regeneration International, Navdanya and others to host the People’s Food Summit – calling for a shift in food and agriculture towards local sovereignty and small-scale, diversified systems.
Watch the replays of the event and get more information about regenerative, agro-ecological food and farming head over to Regeneration International’s YouTube channel to find out more.
While you’re at it, learn more about how local food can save the world in this YouTube video from Local Futures.
