Sustainability at SpeedStitch
Our Commitment
As a family-run garment decoration business, we believe quality craftsmanship and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. We’re committed to making sustainable choices across our operations – not for show, but because it’s the right thing to do for our community, our customers, and future generations.
Whether you’re a school, business, organisation, or individual customer, we’re not claiming to be perfect, but we are making measurable progress through practical, ongoing actions.
♻️ Circular Packaging Approach
We’ve embraced a “packaging first, packaging last” philosophy:
- Reuse: Strong cardboard boxes circulate between our sites multiple times before disposal
- Repurpose: Old boxes become shelving, dividers, and protective packing materials
- Protect: We reuse original garment packaging to safeguard uniforms and reduce new plastic consumption
- Educate: Our parcels include friendly stickers explaining why we reuse packaging and encouraging customers to do the same
Target: We aim to reuse 75% of incoming packaging materials.
👕 Ethical & Sustainable Garments
We work with trusted suppliers who offer a range of options for all sectors, including sustainable choices:
Sustainable Options Available:
- Garments made with organic cotton and recycled fibres
- Fair Wear Foundation certified brands ensuring fair labour practices
- Schoolwear Association members following responsible sourcing standards (for educational sector)
- OEKO-TEX certified products free from harmful chemicals
- Workwear and corporate clothing from ethically-sourced suppliers
Supply Chain Approach:
- Multi-supplier approach prevents over-reliance and increases access to both standard and ethical stock options
- We actively promote sustainable garment choices where available and appropriate
- Regular supplier audits and relationship reviews
- Priority given to UK and European suppliers to reduce transport emissions
- Transparent communication about product origins and certifications when requested
🖨️ Efficient Production Methods
We’ve invested in Direct to Film (DTF) printing technology – amongst the most resource-efficient methods available:
Environmental Benefits:
- Water-based inks instead of harsh solvent-based alternatives – safer for our team and better for the environment
- Significantly less waste than traditional screen printing
- On-demand production reduces overstock and waste
- Longer-lasting prints mean fewer replacements needed
- Recyclable backing paper and responsible disposal of consumables
Process Improvements:
- Digital design approval reduces sample waste
- Batch processing maximises efficiency
- Equipment maintenance extends machinery life and maintains optimal performance
🚛 Smart Logistics & Planning
Local Focus:
- We actively promote collection from our Walthamstow base and Click&Collect partner locations to reduce delivery miles
- Route optimisation for essential deliveries
- Consolidated shipments reduce packaging and fuel consumption
Forward Planning for School Uniform:
- Our November pre-order system prevents over-ordering and last-minute rush deliveries
- Seasonal forecasting reduces waste and improves resource allocation
- Clear communication timelines help families plan ahead
🏢 Operational Sustainability
Energy & Resources:
- LED lighting throughout our facilities
- Energy-efficient equipment and regular maintenance schedules
- Digital-first processes reducing paper consumption
- Responsible disposal and recycling of electronic equipment
Continuous Improvement:
- Annual energy usage monitoring
- Regular equipment efficiency reviews
- Staff training on resource-conscious practices
📚 Knowledge & Innovation
Professional Development:
- CPD-accredited sustainability training completed by key team members
- Regular updates on industry best practices and emerging technologies
- Attendance at sustainable business workshops and networking events
Sustainability Projects in Development Stages:
- Uniform reuse and recycling scheme in Walthamstow (E17) – collecting, refurbishing, and redistributing outgrown uniforms
- Corporate clothing lifecycle programme – exploring take-back schemes for workwear
- Fabric scrap programme – finding creative uses for offcuts and misprints
- Local partnership development for enhanced recycling and repurposing opportunities
💬 Collaborative Sustainability
Working With Schools: We support educational institutions in achieving their environmental goals through:
- Guidance on selecting low-impact garment options
- Flexible bulk delivery planning to reduce transport frequency
- Joint uniform recycling and donation drives (development stages)
- Educational materials about sustainable uniform care
Working With Businesses: We help companies meet their corporate sustainability objectives by:
- Being able to provide detailed sustainability credentials for garments and processes
- Offering eco-friendly alternatives for workwear, promotional items, and corporate gifts
- Supporting CSR initiatives through ethical sourcing options
- Flexible ordering systems to reduce waste and overstock
- Guidance on sustainable corporate clothing policies
Events & Organisations:
- Sustainable merchandise options for conferences, festivals, and corporate events
- Advice on reducing environmental impact of promotional clothing
- Support for organisations with specific environmental commitments
Community Engagement:
- Supporting local environmental initiatives in our local areas
- Sharing knowledge and resources with other small businesses
- Participating in community sustainability events
- Collaborating with local schools and businesses on environmental projects
📊 Measuring Our Impact
Annual Review Includes:
- Packaging reuse rates and waste reduction metrics
- Energy consumption trends
- Supplier sustainability performance
- Customer feedback on environmental initiatives
- Progress towards project goals
Transparency Commitment:
- Annual sustainability summary available to customers
- Open communication about challenges and setbacks
- Regular updates on new initiatives and achievements
🎯 Looking Forward
2025-2026 Goals:
- Launch comprehensive uniform recycling programme
- Develop corporate clothing lifecycle initiatives
- Achieve 80% packaging reuse rate
- Expand organic and recycled fibre options across all sectors
- Develop carbon footprint baseline for future reduction targets
Long-term Vision: We’re working towards becoming a circular business model where waste from one process becomes input for another, whilst maintaining the personal service and quality craftsmanship that defines SpeedStitch.
🤝 How You Can Help
- Choose collection over delivery when possible
- Reuse our packaging for your own needs
- Consider organic and recycled fibre options
- Participate in uniform recycling initiatives
- Share feedback on our sustainability efforts
This policy reflects our current practices and aspirations. We review and update it annually to incorporate new learning, technology, and best practices.
Last updated: June 2025 Next review: June 2026
Questions about our sustainability practices? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us to discuss how we can support your organisation’s environmental goals, whether you’re a school, business, charity, or community group.