Sustainability
By working with like-minded suppliers and local where possible, focusing on how we make and package our products, reducing and repurposing our waste and switching to more efficient machinery, we aim to lower our carbon footprint and make products that are ethical, sustainably sourced, and long-lasting.
Made to last
We work almost exclusively with wool and other natural fibres. Wool is one of the most sustainable fibres as it is renewable and biodegradable, decomposing in a matter of years, without contributing to pollution. Wool fibres are of high quality and are highly durable, therefore, wool clothing has a long lifespan and lasts considerably longer than those made from other fibres, require less washing and can be recycled and upcycled. Kilts made from our fabrics are so long-lasting they are often handed down from one generation to another. Likewise, our fabrics used by designer brands are considered investment pieces, the antithesis of fast fashion.
Locally sourced
Although not all the wool we use can be sourced locally, we converted one of our top selling fabrics, our heavyweight Strome cloth, to being sourced completely within the UK, mainly from Scotland. Recently, we have completed this journey, and now source our Romney Marsh wool from Scottish-farmed sheep, allowing us to create our Strome cloth in 100% Scottish wool. In doing so we are supporting local farming and manufacturing, and our wool is sorted and graded locally at the British Wool depot in Selkirk, subsequently reducing transportation distances and emissions. Up to one quarter of the yarn we use annually is now of Scottish origin.
In 2023, we were shortlisted as finalists in the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards in the ‘Positive Change’ category. Their awards programme highlights the efforts being made by brands within the industry to improve their sustainable and ethical practices. We were delighted to be able to showcase our British Wool Strome cloth, our continued support for local Scottish and British Wool farmers and our progress in developing our sustainable and ethical credentials.
Made by us
We are a specialist manufacturer making exclusively in Scotland in our own weaving mill and sewing workroom. Where possible we partner with other specialist British manufacturers for yarn spinning, cloth finishing and garment making. We also hope to increase our own capabilities to convert more of our cloth and increase our own skills so we can offer more finished products that are made in Scotland.
Reuse and repurpose
We’ve become adept at reusing yarns in our production before they are only suitable for recycling. Fabric remnants are used in the make-up of finished accessories and, repurposed for crafting projects or donated to a variety of local or national organisations. Our unavoidable selvedge waste created during the weaving process is now 100% wool and is also recycled, sold, or donated. Everything we cannot find a use for goes on to be recycled.
We have made some changes to our equipment and fixtures, including changing all our lighting in both our offices and mill to LED’s and upgrading our IT equipment and server to pull less power 24/7. We have swapped our company vehicles to electric or hybrids and reduced the size of our dyehouse boiler by 50% and are now working towards making it potentially hydrogen ready. In 2023, we invested in 8 new Smit looms that are more efficient, with smaller motors pulling less power per metre and enabling us to elevate our weaving operations to fulfil customer demand.
With next generation Paptic© materials, our new, plastic free mailing bags ensure that your Lochcarron products are sent to you safely and responsibly. Offering a unique combination of sustainability and strength, the bags are made using renewable wood fibres, water-based ink and water-based glue. Developed to reduce the use of plastic in packaging, the Paptic© mailing bag can be recycled with packaging papers and cardboard. It is also compostable according to EN 13432.
Due to our engagement with the SOSE Net Zero team and your current support needs, we were invited to take part of a new SOSE funded Net Zero Programme which started in January 2023. The programme provides intensive support to Lochcarron of Scotland over a 12-month period, helping improve our confidence in measuring our environmental footprint and to develop and implement a credible decarbonisation plan. Currently, we are already doing amazing things to be more sustainable but are still early in our net zero journey.
Presently, we are looking into utilising renewable energy sources, in particular solar power as an opportunity to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and we have been exploring methods of capturing the waste heat produced by our dyehouse to recycle it back and reduce our gas usage.
Furthermore, we are in the process of developing an information station located as you enter our Lochcarron Visitor Centre, Selkirk. This will enable visitors and colleagues to be kept up to date on what we are currently doing to be more sustainable and what we have achieved throughout our sustainability journey.
To see how we create our products, click on our videos below. Watch how our wool is grown, sorted, spun, woven and finished in the UK.