Better materials

We balance quality, comfort and materials to create garments designed to last. Carefully choosing our materials at the design and sourcing stage is central to our mission to making a positive contribution and reducing our environmental impact. Every season, we integrate more organic, recycled and regenerated fibres into our collections. These fibres have a lower impact on the environment in comparison to the conventional alternative, making them a better choice. For example, organic cotton is grown from non-GMO seeds and requires less water to grow. And in the case of recycled fibres, the demand for new virgin fibres decreases and textile waste is kept in use, and out of landfill. All organic, recycled and/or regenerated fibres that we use at Scotch & Soda are certified by third-party organisations or are branded fibres.

OUR RESPONSIBLE MATERIALS STANDARD

To support you in making informed choices when shopping with us, and to help us to measure our progress, we have developed the Scotch & Soda responsible standard for materials. This is a minimum percentage of organic, recycled, renewable and/or regenerated fibres that make up the main material of an item – which are proven to be better for the environment in comparison to conventional fabrics. We started by setting a minimum standard of 20% and have raised this percentage to 50% responsible fibre content from Summer 2022 onwards. Looking ahead, our goal is that 70% of styles (garments, all lines) will be made according to our criteria of a minimum of 50% organic, recycled, renewable and/or regenerated fibre content by 2024. In the case of recycled cotton, this may exist as a blend as the fibres are shorter and need to be mixed with another for durability. For our jackets, there's an additional criterium that the main filling and/or main padding (if any) is made from a 100% responsible fibre as well.

The following outlines our roadmap to achieving our goal of 70% of styles containing a minimum of 50% organic, recycled, renewable and/or regenerated fibre content by 2024. For our suppliers to be able to offer each and every design or technique in a responsible quality takes time, research and innovation. Therefore, we have set a timeline with targets to assess and monitor our progress while we move forwards to 2024 and beyond.

Fall/Winter 21: 40% - current position
Spring/Summer 22: 50%
Fall/Winter 22: 60%
Spring/Summer 23: 65%
Fall/Winter 23: 70%
Spring/Summer 24: 70% +

You can find the fibre composition of the main material on the care label of each garment; it lists the type and the percentage. If more than one sort is listed, then the fibre exists in a blend. Read more about the benefits of the fibres that we use here:

ECONYL®

A branded regenerated nylon yarn made from waste, such as industrial plastic, waste fabric and fishing nets recovered from the ocean. The same quality as virgin nylon, ECONYL® makes use of discarded waste materials to create a new fibre reducing the need to create new virgin fibres from new resources. We use ECONYL® in our swimwear styles, usually in a blend. The composition can be found on the care label.

LENZING™ ECOVERO™

LENZING™ ECOVERO™ – These are branded fibres from LENZING™ and they are produced using pulp from renewable wood from responsible managed forests. An alternative to conventional viscose, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres generate up to 50% lower emissions and water impact compared to conventional viscose. We use LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres in a variety of styles, such as dresses and shirts. Check the care label for the composition.

ORGANIC COTTON

Organic cotton – An alternative to conventional cotton, grown from non-GMO seeds and produced on land that is free from pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. Organic cotton takes significantly less water to grow than conventional cotton and is farmed using crop rotation, which eases pressure on local water resources and promotes soil health. We use this fibre in a blend or alone, to make products like T-shirts, sweatshirts and denim styles. Check the care label for the percentage of organic cotton.

RECYCLED COTTON

Recycled cotton – An alternative to conventional cotton, new fibres are made by recycling cotton fabric waste from the textile industry or unwanted garments. As the fibres of recycled cotton are shorter, these often need to be blended with other fibres to maintain durability and quality. By using a recycled source, the lifespan of the starting fibre is extended and the demand for new virgin fibres decreases. Using existing resources keeps textile waste in use and out of landfill. You can find recycled cotton in garments like jeans and sweaters and the percentage is listed on the care label.

RECYCLED NYLON

Recycled nylon – An alternative to virgin nylon made from textile industry waste. Recycled nylon is used in some of our jackets and swim shorts. By using existing resources, pre-consumer waste that would be destined for landfill or incineration is used to make a new fibre. This industry approach reduces dependence on limited natural resources, such as virgin petroleum, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing. Check the care label for the fabric composition.

RECYCLED POLYESTER

An alternative to conventional polyester. It's made by recycling existing resources, such as recycled plastic bottles, polyester waste and garments. Recycled polyester makes use of materials that would otherwise be thrown away, reducing the need to create new virgin fibres. We use recycled polyester in all sorts of garments, such as jackets, T-shirts, blazers and dresses and the care label shows the content.

RECYCLED LEATHER

Used leather and scraps are repurposed to make new leather. Like other recycled sources, it makes use of materials that would otherwise be considered waste. Recycled leather is used for some denim back patches and leather accessories like wallets.

REFIBRA™

A technology from LENZING™, which involves upcycling cotton scraps from garment production to create a cotton pulp that is used, in combination with sustainably sourced wood pulp, to create new TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres. The benefits are in line with a recycled fibre, i.e., using existing resources to make a new fibre and the closed-loop production process of TENCEL™ Lyocell.

REPREVE®

A branded recycled polyester fibre made from post-consumer recycled content, including plastic bottles. REPREVE® transforms these plastic bottles which are destined for landfill into a fibre which we use to fill our jackets. From Winter 2021 onwards, all padded jackets will be filled with REPREVE® filling. Alongside the benefits of turning waste into a new product, it offers an animal-friendly and down-free alternative to conventional real down filling. Look out for the special branded hangtag.

TENCEL™ LYOCELL

Branded lyocell fibres from LENZING™, which are extracted from sustainably sourced wood pulp. A renewable raw material that comes from sustainably managed forests. The manufacturing of the fibre generates a lower impact on air emissions and water compared to generic lyocell; the material is produced in a closed-loop production process in which 99% of the natural solvent is recovered and reused and all water is recycled. We use TENCEL™ Lyocell to make a range of styles, including T-shirts, shirts and denim styles. The composition is listed on the care label.

TENCEL™ MODAL

A branded alternative to conventional modal. Wood-based textile fibres from LENZING™, are extracted from naturally grown beech wood from sustainable sources using an environmentally responsible pulp-to-fibre process. This soft-touch fibre is used in T-shirts, sweatshirts and shirts and the fibre percentage is listed on the care label.

OUR STORE DESIGN MATERIALS

Our mission extends to our store environments. Wherever possible we work with local companies to build our stores and recycle the existing materials. All wooden elements in our store concepts are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved and certified. Since 2016 we've been implementing LED lighting in our stores and showrooms.

All new stores are fitted with hangers made from RCS certified Fasal®, a wooden compound made from renewable resources and designed to be circular. At the end of their life these hangers are collected and made into new ones.

OUR PACKAGING MATERIALS

In 2019, we introduced FSC certified paper and cardboard for all our hang tags and shipping boxes, and this is our new normal for any new packaging solutions we create. Using FSC certified products ensures that the materials come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.

Another area of improvement that we're working towards is an alternative solution for all our plastic product packaging. It's important to find the right solution that protects our product, to ensure that it reaches you in the best condition. We're testing two options and expect to start implementing our chosen solution in 2022.

You can help us in our mission by reusing and recycling our packaging materials.

RESTRICTED SUBSTANCE LIST

We have a list of over 100 chemicals (including chemical finishes and procedures) that we do not use in the creation of our collections, documented in the Scotch & Soda Restricted Substance List (RSL). All our suppliers commit to and comply with the RSL list, which ensures that the legislation surrounding the proper use of chemicals and substances is upheld. To ensure compliance, our products are regularly checked by third-party certified testing laboratories.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Animal welfare is important to us, which is why we are fully committed to being a 100% fur-free brand. We have an Animal Welfare policy that each supplier that we work with commits to and complies with.

We do not use virgin angora (stopped 2019) or mohair (stopped 2019).
We do not use virgin feathers or down (stopped 2019).
As of 2021, we will no longer produce clothing made with virgin cashmere.
We do not test any cosmetic product – or the raw materials used in their formulation – on animals.
We do not use materials derived from endangered species as per the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) or the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Any leather or skin must be sourced as a by-product of the meat industry and from producers that practice good animal husbandry. Leather or skin must not be obtained whilst the animal is still alive or from aborted animals. Skins from wild-caught animals and exotic animals must not be used in Scotch & Soda products.
Wool must be sourced from producers with good animal husbandry. Merino wool used in Scotch & Soda products must not be sourced from farmers who practice mulesing.