Sustainability

Fashion production, particularly handbag manufacturing, has a significant impact on our environment. At GREEN KNIT, we are dedicated to addressing these challenges and leading the way towards a more sustainable future. Here are some facts that highlight the harmful effects of conventional fashion production:

1. Environmental Impact

According to Greenpeace and UNFCCC, the fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 20% of global wastewater. The extraction of raw materials, production processes, and transportation contribute to these emissions and pollution.

2. Waste Generation

Shockingly, only 1% of textiles are recycled back into fabrics (based on Ellen MacArthur Foundation research). McKinsey & Company reports that fashion industry generates a staggering amount of waste, with 30% of materials wasted during production and 40% of products becoming obsolete or discarded.

3. Leather Production

Traditional leather production has a significant environmental impact. It requires large amounts of water, contributes to deforestation, and releases harmful chemicals into the environment. Acording to Collective Fashion Justice, each leather handbag tote accounts on average for 100,5 kg of CO2 emissions and requires ca. 17 thousand litres of water to produce.

4. Fast Fashion Culture

The rise of fast fashion has led to increased consumption and disposal of clothing and accessories. This unsustainable cycle perpetuates the overuse of resources and exacerbates environmental and social issues.

At GREEN KNIT, we strive to be part of the solution. While we cannot claim to be perfect, we are committed to making a positive impact, one bag at a time. Here’s how we’re taking action:

1. Sustainable Materials

We use 100% recycled nylon yarn sourced from post-production waste. We aim now even to switch to recycled yarn from post-consumer waste such as old finishing nets and carpets. By repurposing these materials, we reduce the demand for virgin resources and prevent them from ending up in landfills or polluting our oceans. Production of recycled nylon generates ca. 9 times less CO2 emissions than virgin one.

2. Minimal Waste Production

Our innovative 3D knitting approach enables us to produce handbags with minimal waste. Unlike traditional cut-and-sew methods that lead to 30% of cutouts, our bags are knitted directly from the yarn, resulting in a production process that generates close to zero waste.

3. Circular Design

We design our bags with a circular mindset. The use of 100% recycled nylon yarn and monomateril approach allow for easy recycling. Our vision includes also take-back system to potentially allow materials to be transformed back into yarn for future bag production. Such closed-loop approach further minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency.

4. Ethical Practices

We prioritize transparency and ethical manufacturing practices. Our handbags are responsibly made with high quality craftmanship in the European Union (in Austria), adhering to strict environmental and labor standards. For the highly automated production, our manufacturing partner is using mainly own generated electricity from solar panels and hydroelectric power plant.

By choosing GREEN KNIT, you are making a conscious decision to support sustainable fashion.

Real change takes time, but by embracing sustainability and challenging the status quo, we can shape a fashion industry that values both style and environmental responsibility.