Arnhem Quarterly Sustainability Report April 2020

We prefer to partner with mills that have either Oeko Tex 100 certification in place or they are Bluesign System Partners.

Further to this we have a restricted substance list in place as part of our supplier agreement.

This ensure that no banned harmful chemicals are used in the production of our garments.

During this quarter, 100% of the fabrics used in our collections were responsibly dyed.

See certification breakdown for the quarter below.



Oeko Tex 100
Oeko Tex 100 certifies that no substances harmful to human health are present in the finished textiles.

Substances tested are both regulated and non-regulated going beyond international requirements.

Tests are conducted by independent Oeko Tex Partner institutes.

Bluesign
Bluesign is a holistic system that provided solutions in sustainable processing and manufacturing,

ensuring that products/finished textiles are manufactured with the lowest possible impact on people and the environment.

GOTS
All chemical inputs (e.g. dyes, auxiliaries and process chemicals) must be evaluated and meeting basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability/eliminability.
Prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles,

genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their enzymes.
The use of synthetic sizing agents is restricted; knitting and weaving oils must not contain heavy metals.
Bleaches must be based on oxygen (no chlorine bleaching). Azo dyes that release carcinogenic amine compounds are prohibited.

Azo Free & Low Impact (block printing)
Our block printing is done using azo free low impact inks. The water used in the finishing process is filtered and re-used to minimise water waste

and ensure no chemicals are released into the environment.



CIRCULARITY

SDG’s
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action

One of our key focuses over the past two years is how we can ‘close the loop’ both in our production processes and also in the end of the lifecycle of our Arnhem garments.

We launched our ‘Arnhem Revive’ initiative at the end of 2018 with the goal of repurposing the fabric that is regarded as waste at the end of the production line of our collections.

Statistically 15% of textiles intended for clothing ends up on the cutting room floor. We have now implemented a practice of reviewing pattern lay plans at pre-production stage and utilising any off-cuts for our Revive pieces which range from intimates to accessories. This way we minimise our wastage, create innovative products and provide further economic benefit for our makers.

Total meters saved from landfill and repurposed into our Revive pieces:

Daisy Chain Scrunchies - 106m
Lucia Revive Bags - 140m
Leilani Knickers - 31.50m

Total = 277.50m (this is approximate as fabric widths vary)

Our next focus will be the end stage of the lifecycle Arnhem garments and how we can step in to close the loop through a repair and recycling initiative.


COMMUNITY

SDG’s
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
17. Partnerships for the goals


While most of our production lies offshore with our global network of makers, we have recently shifted our focus locally to collaborate with like-minded sustainable businesses. This past quarter we reached out to a number of brands including Beefolk, Zero Waste Kulture and Kappi to produce zero waste items using fabric off-cuts as part of our Revive initiative. The best part about these collaborations has been providing local seamstresses and artists with a source of work – and in the case of Beefolk and Zero Waste Kulture, right here in the Byron Bay Shire.

Here are our collaborative products launched during this quarter:

Beefolk Beeswax DIY Kits
Beefolk Beeswax Pre-made Wraps
Zero Waste Kulture House Wipes
Zero Waste Kulture Face Wipes
Kappi Reusable Straw Kits

GIVING BACK
As always, we look to support the charities and organisations who are out in our community protecting our oceans, rainforests and native wildlife.

These are the change-makers we have been supporting this quarter so that they can make a difference:

WIRES $30,000
Greenfleet $10,000
Sea Shepherd $5000
Plastic Free July $5000
Tangaroa Blue $5000
Sea Bin $5000
Friends of Koalas $3000





PLANET

SDG’s
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
15. Life on land


Packaging

We recognise that crafting our garments from sustainable fibres is only half the battle – we need to package and get our garments to you in materials that won’t further damage our planet. For all paper packaging at Arnhem, we only use FSC Recycled certified materials.

Wood products carrying the FSC Recycled label have been verified by a third-party certification body as being made from at least 70% post-consumer reclaimed materials, i.e. wood and or wood fibre that has been reclaimed from a product after that product has been used for its intended purpose by individuals or businesses. The remaining material must be verified as pre-consumer waste. Paper products can contain any balance of pre-consumer and post-consumer reclaimed material as long as all applicable parts of the product are verified as reclaimed. The FSC Recycled label does not guarantee that the wood is originally come from FSC certified forests but rather focus on the recycle status and its authenticity.

FSC Recycled packaging used in quarter:
Main Swing Tickets - 11,716
Fabrication Swing Tickets - 11,716
Barcode Stickers - 11,716
Tissue Paper - 11,566
Care Cards - 4500
Shoe Boxes - 200
Shipping Cartons – 140

Compostable bags used/plastic bags saved for the quarter:

Garment Bags – 11,716
Post Satchels – 8,458


Carbon emissions and off-setting

The Paris Agreement commits nations to – limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius, greenhouse emissions need to fall 45% by 2030, zero emissions by 2050.

This is how we are contributing to the achievement of these goals:

Greenfleet is a not-for-profit environmental organisation on a mission to protect our climate by restoring our native forests. Using the donations of businesses and individuals, they plant native biodiverse forests which in turn capture millions of tonnes of carbon emissions from our atmosphere, conserve biodiversity, improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and provide vital habitat for native wildlife. At Arnhem, we have been off-setting our carbon emissions by donating to Greenfleet since 2016.

Carbon off-setting
Charitable donation to Greenfleet
666 tons of carbon dioxide sequestered
2400 trees planted

For this first time ever we have engaged with Carbon Intelligence Pty Limited to create an Independent Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Verification Statement.

We’ll be sharing the results & setting goals – more to come soon…



COST

We’re always calculating the cost to our planet when making decisions.

We hope that the value of what we create is far greater than its cost, giving you the ability to cast a vote for the future of the planet.

How we’ve evolved:
Approximate cost increase of packaging and trims 49%
Approximate cost increase of printed woven fabrics 20%

Moving to the exclusive use of sustainable fibres from the non-sustainable rayon crepe that we previously used has resulted in increased costs of:

For questions or feedback please email sustainability@arnhem.co