We won’t beat around the bush - we’re part of an industry that’s a huge contributor to environmental pollution. Because we make clothes, we have a responsibility to make every aspect of our business as sustainable as possible. We’ve committed to reducing our impact on the environment; read on for our current initiatives and future commitments.
REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH PLANET MARK
In 2021, we started our sustainability journey proper by committing to measure and reduce our carbon footprint with the help of Planet Mark - an internationally-recognised sustainability consultant and certification body.
Together, we set ourselves an ambitious target; to reduce our total organisational emissions by 5% year on year. Roll on 2024, and we’re proud to be certified by Planet Mark for a fourth year. We remain committed to reducing our carbon emissions and supporting meaningful climate change projects through our climate partner, Ecologi.
Our founder Nick Wheeler talks with the founder of Planet Mark, Steve Malkin, about how businesses can help beat climate change:
OUR CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTS
Alongside our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint year on year, we also know the importance of giving back to the planet. We do this through our partnership with Ecologi – an environmental organisation focused on impactful climate solutions.
To date we've helped fund wind power projects in Honduras and Mexico, where renewable energy generation is replacing the harmful carbon emissions associated with burning fossil fuels.
This year we helped to fund two new projects, the first a large solar power project in Vietnam. which generates electricity from sunlight, using photovoltaic technology.The second is focused on the distribution of fuel efficient ‘Jikokoa’ cookstoves to communities around Kenya. Over the lifetime of this project, over 380,000 cookstoves will be distributed, avoiding 4.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, and reducing demand for wood fuel by 2.4 million tonnes.
Alongside these clean energy projects, we know one of the most effective ways to aid the planet's recovery is to plant trees. Since our partnership began, we've planted over 27,000 trees across the UK, Argentina, Uganda, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco and Mozambique. Find out more about the projects we're funding on our Ecologi profile here.
“We've planted over 27,000 trees across the UK, Argentina, Uganda, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco and Mozambique - with big plans to grow our forest even further!"
Through Planet Mark we also do our bit to support Cool Earth - a charity working alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation, preserve wildlife and support the local people. Every year, we contribute to saving an acre of endangered rainforest. Our pledge through Cool Earth directly aids the Asháninka people, indigenous to the rainforests of Peru.
To combat climate change, we know educating future generations is crucial. That's why we donate to the Eden Project - a charity that educates on what we can do to beat the planetary emergency, and how we can reach social equity through local and global projects.
Find out more about the great things Planet Mark, Cool Earth and the Eden Project are doing to stop climate change at planetmark.com, coolearth.org and edenproject.com.
“Every year, we contribute to saving an acre of endangered rainforest, directly aiding the Asháninka people, indigenous to the rainforests of Peru.”
REPURPOSING with purpose
Since our products are made to last, extending their useable lifespan is important to us - it really makes no sense to throw them away after a style refresh. That’s why we launched an in-store shirt and suit donation scheme with the British Heart Foundation, to make sure preloved items can be given a second life. Items sold in their shops help to fund life-changing research.
Bring all your old suits or just the jackets (whether they’re Tyrwhitt or not) to us in-store, and for each one you bring in, we’ll not only donate it to the British Heart Foundation, you’ll also get 20% off a new one. Win–win. We also want your preloved shirts and polos, They can be from any brand and we’ll give you £5 off each new shirt you buy as a thank you.
Since our partnership began in 2021, we’ve raised over £2.5 million for the British Heart Foundation through this scheme and the donation of other pre-loved items, saving over 230,000 items of clothing from landfill along the way! This year, with your help, we know we can do even better!
(Terms & Conditions apply).
“We’ve saved over 230,000 items of clothing that were otherwise destined for landfill.”
OUR PROPER PACKAGING
We've been busy behind the scenes making our packaging as green as it can be. We started with the big one - the bag our products are mailed in. They're now made from sugar cane oil and because this material is nice and light, they also save us 650 tonnes of carbon a year in shipping. Bonus!
We’ve eliminated all single use plastic from our shirt packaging, also taking care to remove unnecessary inserts and tissue paper. The inserts we have kept (to keep our shirt looking flawless) are made from FSC certified cardboard, along with our shoeboxes and swingtags. The remainder of our product packaging is made from recycled materials, including our polybags which are made from recycled plastic. We encourage our customers to recycle or reuse our packaging wherever they can.
The paper bags we use in-store are made from recycled material and are recyclable too, but if customers would prefer something they can use time and time again, you can now purchase our Bag for Life - made from recycled plastic bottles!
Our packaging experts remain focused on finding ways to be even greener, so keep your eyes peeled for more exciting sustainable packaging developments coming very soon!
"The bags we mail our products in are made from sugar cane oil. This material is nice and light, so they save us 650 tonnes of carbon a year in shipping"