Every choice, every day will effect our planet and it’s future. Which is why we choose to walk a little lighter in all that we do...
By sharing our own sustainability journey, we hope to inspire others to become more passionate, conscious consumers, ready to drive change in the world.
Packaging
We send our garments in 100% biodegradable poly bags that break down naturally over time. These are packed into our reusable organic eco totes which are 100% unbleached organic cotton.
It is our aim to continually refine our packaging solutions.
We send our garments in 100% biodegradable poly bags that break down naturally over time. These are packed into our reusable organic eco totes which are 100% unbleached organic cotton.
It is our aim to continually refine our packaging solutions.
Our new postage satchels are now 100% compostable and are made from sustainably-sourced plants, which means they break down easily in your compost or green waste.
It is our aim to continually refine our sustainable packaging and by early 2019 we will have fully compostable garments bags.
WE'VE SAVED
340,000 PLASTIC GARMENT BAGS FROM ENTERING LANDFILL
133,788 BRANDED CARDBOARD BOXES
We have invested in solar panels for our HQ and Byron store, harnessing the year round sun offered by the (paradise!) location of Byron Bay, Australia.
42.47TONNES CO2 EMISSIONS SAVED
Additionally, our energy plan is not only 100% renewable, it’s sourced locally from the Northern Rivers via local energy provider Enova Energy - Australia’s first community-owned energy retailer. It means that we will reduce our CO2 emissions by 31.6 tonnes each year which is equivalent to planting 819 trees! Together with Enova Energy we support the Northern Rivers in becoming the first Australian region to be powered by 100% locally generated renewables, including solar power.
We want to see this happen as soon as possible so if you’re a local and want to help reduce our carbon footprint, you can switch to Enova and receive $50 off your first electricity bill* by using the promo code SPELL50.
*Spell does not receive any commission on these energy provider conversions. We simply want to see our town on local, green energy!
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
We’ve aligned with a ground-breaking, local initiative Zero Emissions Byron who’s aim is to reduce emissions in the Byron Shire to zero by 2025. Their vision for the future is a resilient community, living in a renewable energy economy, where people, sustainable jobs, and the environment have top priority. We share their hope that the Byron Shire can be a shining example of change for a safe, clean environment for future generations.
RIDING ALONG ON MY
PUSHBIKE, HONEY
We have supplied each person at our HQ with a bike – it was a way of saying thank you for their dedication, but also an investment toward becoming a more sustainable company. Cycling just 10km each way to work instead of driving saves 1.3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission each year. What does that actually mean? Getting off the roads and onto our bikes saves heaps of nasty pollutants entering the atmosphere – and keeps us healthy too!
RIDING ALONG ON MY
PUSHBIKE, HONEY
We have supplied each person at our HQ with a bike – it was a way of saying thank you for their dedication, but also an investment toward becoming a more sustainable company. Cycling just 10km each way to work instead of driving saves 1.3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission each year. What does that actually mean? Getting off the roads and onto our bikes saves heaps of nasty pollutants entering the atmosphere – and keeps us healthy too!
WE HAVE ALREADY QUIT THE TOP 4 SINGLE USE PLASTICS IN OUR WORKPLACE, WHICH MEANS NO PLASTIC BAGS, STRAWS, DRINK BOTTLES OR DISPOSABLE COFFEE CUPS.
Going plastic free doesn’t mean going without – we have swapped these disposables for sustainable alternatives so everyone brings a reusable water bottle and keep cup to work and we have a supply of metal straws and upcycled jars on hand for juices and smoothies. We use beeswax wraps instead of cling film, calico or upcycled fabric bags for shopping and are always looking for more ways to reduce our plastic use.
WE'RE SAVING
10,400COFFEE CUPS PER YEAR
In early 2019 we decided to create a compost garden with Subpod at Spell HQ to process all of our organic waste on site. In Byron Bay we’re so lucky to have green bins for residents however this isn’t the case in the industrial area where our HQ is located. This left our team to take matters into their own hands!
We wanted to install a compost garden to reduce landfill, minimise carbon emissions and to educate and inspire our team. As an added bonus we have created a beautiful lunch area for our team and a space to grow herbs and veggies for our lunches.
CLEAN GREEN
We use non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products in our HQ and Byron Store wherever possible.
OFFICE SUPPLIES
We opt for Who Gives A Crap toilet paper made from 100% recycled and environmentally friendly materials, (they also donate 50% of their profits to sanitation projects in the developing world). It may only be toilet paper, but it’s proof that even a small and simple change can make a big difference.
CLEAN GREEN
We use non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products in our HQ and Byron Store wherever possible.
OFFICE SUPPLIES
We opt for Who Gives A Crap toilet paper made from 100% recycled and environmentally friendly materials, (they also donate 50% of their profits to sanitation projects in the developing world). It may only be toilet paper, but it’s proof that even a small and simple change can make a big difference.
Did you know increasing the life cycle of your garments is the most direct way you can reduce waste and pollution in the textiles system?*. In fact, the clothing industry alone could impact the amount of carbon, water and waste used by as much as 10% if garments stayed in rotation in our wardrobes for just three months longer than normal.**
The best part? This means that we as consumers have absolute power in effecting positive change for our planet, simply by wearing our clothes for longer.
There are simple steps to increasing the lifespan of our clothes; handwash or spotwash using mild, eco-friendly detergent, (for whites, vinegar is your friend!), machine wash in cold water, skip the dryer, treat stains or signs of wear straight away, repair and then upcycle or engage in buy, swap, sells to find your garments a new home…
Speaking of washing your clothes...
...Lately, especially for those of us concerned with the state of our oceans, there’s been much talk about microfibres. Microfibres are the tiny particles of plastic that shed from your synthetic clothing during the wash cycle and end up in our oceans.
Research shows the main culprits of microfibre shedding materials are the fluffy ones you might find in outerwear like jackets, (synthetic fleece or acrylics in knit blends) and this is easily dealt with by spot washing these garments instead of machine washing, but there are many other ways you can minimise microfibres escaping into the ocean…
HERE ARE OUR TOP 7!
1. Handwash your garments with eco friendly detergent, dispose water in garden.
2. If machine washing, use a front loader (Fleeces washed in top loaders are found to shed 5 times as many microfibres as those washed in front-loaders)
1. Handwash your garments with eco friendly detergent, dispose water in garden.
2. If machine washing, use a front loader (Fleeces washed in top loaders are found to shed 5 times as many microfibres as those washed in front-loaders)
4. Use liquid detergent instead of powder (less friction, less shedding).
5. Dispose lint filter from washer or dryer into bin rather than sink, or if your dryer has a water catcher, dispose of water into garden rather than sink.
6. Use a Guppy Friend wash bag which catches any microfibers, dispose lint in bin.
7. Spot wash larger outerwear garments like jackets or cardigans.
4. Use liquid detergent instead of powder (less friction, less shedding).
5. Dispose lint filter from washer or dryer into bin rather than sink, or if your dryer has a water catcher, dispose of water into garden rather than sink.
6. Use a Guppy Friend wash bag which catches any microfibers, dispose lint in bin.
7. Spot wash larger outerwear garments like jackets or cardigans.
*According to the Ellen Macarthur foundation Economy Textiles Report
**According to conclusions made by UK Waste and Resources Action Programme, based on current average garment life cycle of 3 years.