Sustainability

Understanding How We Approach Sustainability

The Reality

The fashion industry has a significant environmental footprint. Depending on how it is measured, it is estimated to contribute around 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. While figures are debated, what isn’t disputed is that fashion is one of the more resource-intensive global industries.

This impact is not created in one place. It is the result of a long and complex supply chain, which can include:

Raw material production (cotton, wool, synthetics, viscose/rayon)
Spinning
Weaving and knitting
Dyeing and finishing
Cutting and sewing
Printing
Transport and distribution (sea, air and road)
Retail and operations
Consumer use
Disposal and waste

When every stage is considered, the existence of a £2.50 T-shirt highlights a significant imbalance in how cost, value and responsibility are distributed.

A Note on Greenwashing

Greenwashing is when a brand appears environmentally responsible through language, imagery or selective facts, without making meaningful or measurable impact or by exaggerating it.

Common examples include unqualified claims such as:

“Planet friendly”
“Sustainable materials”
“Eco-friendly”
“Conscious”
“Better for the environment”
“Reduced impact”

These terms are often vague, difficult to verify, and increasingly scrutinised by regulators.

One thing worth remembering: labels matter.
A garment can legally be described as a “wool blend” with as little as 1% wool.

If a jumper is made from:

50% polyester
22% acrylic
16% nylon
10% wool
2% elastane

That garment is, in reality, a blend of plastics — regardless of how it is marketed.

How We Approach Sustainability at RAVEN ROCK

RAVEN ROCK is a British menswear brand, and every garment we produce is made in Britain.

We choose to manufacture close to home because it gives us greater visibility over how our clothes are made, closer relationships with the people who make them, and a more traceable supply chain.

Sustainability at RAVEN ROCK is not a slogan or a campaign. It is a set of practical decisions made within the realities of being a small, independent business. We focus on what we can control and are open about where impact remains.

No fashion brand is perfect.

Materials & Making

Where possible, we work with named spinners, dyers, manufacturers and trim suppliers, primarily in the UK and Europe. Keeping our supply chain close allows for greater accountability and transparency at each stage of production.

Below is an overview of the partners we work with across raw materials, manufacturing and trims.

Raw Materials (Cotton)	Raw Materials (Wool)	Spinners	Dyers	Manufacturers	Trims / Printers
GOTS organic cotton (Discontinued)	Extra fine merino wool - Zegna Baruffa - Borgosesia, Italy	English Fine Cottons - Manchester, UK (Sadly, shut down)	Colours Dyers UK - Leicester, UK - OEKO TEX standard 100 (Product class I)	Paul James - Leicester, UK	Courtney & Co - Gloucestershire, UK
Supima - J.G. Boswell Co. - California, USA	Extra fine merino wool - Lanerossi - Vicenza, Italy	Karafiber Tekstil - Gaziantep, Turkey		Article 10 - Leicester, UK	GB Labels - Derby, UK
ASC - Rogan Pastoral Co. - St George, Queensland, Australia	Chunky merino wool - Michell - Arequipa, Peru			English Fine Cottons - Manchester, UK	Idressmyself - Frome, UK
Australian Cotton - Sundown Pastoral Co. - Moree, New South Wales	Lambswool - Hawick, Scotland				Creative apparel - Stockport, UK

*Our supply chain evolves over time as businesses change or close.

Packaging

Our packaging is UK-made and designed to be recyclable and reusable wherever possible. This includes:

Recyclable gift boxes
Recyclable tissue paper
Biodegradable protective wrap designed to be reused, recycled or absorbed back into the ground within 12–24 months
Recyclable mailing bags

We aim to reduce unnecessary materials while ensuring garments are protected in transit.

People & Ethics

We work with suppliers who provide:

Safe and healthy working conditions
Fair wages
Production free from child labour or forced labour