Sustainable Textiles: The 6 rs of Sustainability

The world started small with our efforts towards sustainability. We've stopped using unsustainable straws in restaurants and containers like them in take-out establishments. We now recycle paper, glass, and other products in special bins.

But we can do more to be environmentally aware in every aspect of our lives. All we need to do is follow the 6 rs, the important rs of sustainability.

Here’s how:

What is Sustainability & How to Support it

In textile manufacture and design, sustainability involves producing fabrics that are friendly to the environment. This means using less water and energy.

It also means using fewer chemicals to dye materials and print on them. This is how we operate and why we appeal to every customer in the fashion and clothing industries to do the same, to support sustainability. That’s what we do at maake.

Follow our Sustainable Lead - Eliminate Waste

We go one step further when it comes to sustainability. We eliminate waste by offering our clients free recycled print fabric offcuts, in upcycling bags of different sizes. And we do our utmost to be ‘eco-friendly’ in every possible way: 

• Zero Waste: We offer free upcycling bags (see above) as part of our policy to be more environmentally aware and reduce waste. And we give excess fabric to local charities, schools, and educational institutions.
• We Save Energy: We have put energy-saving cut-off switches on all the machines we use to produce material and print on fabric and fabric products. So they consume less energy when not in use.
• We Focus on Sustainability & Innovation: We consider our environmental impact when we print on fabric. We try to use as little water, energy and Reduce Waste. We use 100% renewable energy sources. Our processes use 95% less energy than other textile printers and we use no water. The energy we use to print is less than it takes to use a home fan heater. And the inks we use for printing are all environmentally friendly and toxin-free.
• We ‘Buy Local’: We purchase everything we need for our business locally. Customers can also pick these up from our North London mill, reducing our carbon footprint further.
• We Have a Safe, Clean Working Environment: Our team enjoys safe, healthy working conditions. And all earn the London Living Wage.
• We Shop Small: As a small company in the fabric industry, we understand how important it is to back small businesses. Check out our Guide to Environmentally Friendly Fabric Printing.
• We maakeLess Fabric Waste: We encourage clients and colleagues to give fabric a second life instead of waste it, and become more environmentally aware. Our maakeLess Fabric Waste initiative gives like-minded people in our industry a chance to act against waste. If you’d like to become a volunteer, contact us here.

''Fashion entrepreneurs lead the charge for progress in sustainability, embracing the United Nations' goals. Through powerful partnerships, we tackle challenges and seize opportunities, driving change across industries. Together, we can shape a green future for all entrepreneurs.''  – Artemis Doupa, Co-Founder

Sustainability: Consider Your Environmental Impact

The world has redefined sustainability several times since 1987, but the gist remains the same. Being environmentally aware is important, whether discussing the economy, social pillar issues, or everyday life.

So what should we be doing?

When it comes to sustainability, we should be considering our generation and future ones. We should consider how important going green is to the economy, the environment, and people.

The 6 rs of Sustainability

It all started with the mantra: reduce reuse recycle and has grown from there. Now there are 6 rs of sustainability. 

What are the 6 rs of Sustainability?

These rs of sustainability include:

1. Rethink
2. Reduce
3. Reuse
4. Recycle
5. Repair
6. Refuse

They focus on environmentally friendly products and services; that’s our business, and yours. They explain the importance of following sustainability daily and encourage us to lead a zero-waste lifestyle.

They also provide practical ways to consider one’s environmental impact when purchasing products, using these items and later discarding them. 

Let’s break down these 6 rs of sustainability:

1.     Reduce

We should reduce the number of things we own, how we eat, and live.

We’re not saying that you should reduce essential resources. You should drink a certain amount of water daily, and eat nourishing foods to stay strong and healthy. But you certainly don’t need to have a vast wardrobe of clothes or live in a 5-bedroomed house when there are only 2 of you. 

It makes sense: the less we consume, the less we squander. That’s what sustainability is all about.

Fast fashion has become an issue. Manufacturers must keep up with the ever-growing demand for new garments to follow the latest trends. As trends come and go, so many pieces of clothing considered no longer fashionable end up in landfills.

Read our informative blog, The Problem with Fast Fashion, for more information on fashion sustainability.

We suggest you have a mantra saying: ‘I use only what I need’. That doesn’t only apply to clothing products: it applies to the food you eat, and how you live and work. 

So, how can you go about reducing excess resources?

Let’s take plastic. Manufacturers produce it in vast quantities. They manufacture endless products including fast-food containers, bags to carry groceries and bottles.

This substance is polluting our oceans and killing those organisms that live under the sea. So, if we can reduce the amount of items we use, we’re well on our way to being more environmentally aware.

Water is another of our precious resources we need to reduce. We're not suggesting you stop drinking water, but try a quick shower instead of a leisurely one. And be mindful of not letting the tap run when you wash dishes or brush your teeth.

You can also use leftover bath water to water your garden. Use different ways to reduce water consumption.

2.     Reuse

Your goal should be to reuse or repurpose as much as possible and give them a second life. For example, if you have clothing or toys, that your kids have outgrown, donate these to a charity. The more you donate, or give away, the less you will waste.

Be creative in your sustainability thinking: old glass bottles could be great vases. If the bottles have lids, use them to store herbs and spices, rice, and pasta. Fill decorative bottles with olive oil and vinegar and use these when you have your daily meals.

You can sell furniture, décor, tableware, and working appliances on Facebook Marketplace or organise a home garage sale. You can also donate stuff to a charity or charity shop.

Before you replace something in your home ask yourself whether you could reuse, or repurpose it?

Use your sustainability initiative; give things a new life. Instead of purchasing an unsustainable cup with your takeaway coffee, have a reusable cup for the barrister to fill.

Instead of buying bags at the supermarket, use a reusable shopping bag. Reuse gift wrap and cut up old towels to make rags. Instead of buying the latest fashion products at fast fashion outlets like Zara and H&M, visit vintage stores and choose something gently worn. 

Check out Why Sustainability in Fashion is an Environmental Necessity.

3.     Recycle

You’ve probably been trying to be more environmentally aware by reusing items for a while, and hopefully, this reminds us to recycle constantly at home and work and waste less. Do everything you can to eliminate excess, which is why you’re doing this in the first place. So your last resort is to throw something away. Remember: the less waste ends in landfills, the cleaner our air and water will be.

These days, there are plenty of recycling facilities available. You’ll see recycling bins for batteries, electronic items, glass, paper, cardboard, etc. Take advantage of these.

Make recycling any reusable goods second nature. This saves resources and helps in reducing emissions, which means you’re also saving money on your road to sustainability.

Start by reusing things at home. Use water from the bath, or water you used to boil rice and pasta to feed your garden. And start a compost heap.

Check out our guide to Fabric Recycling for some inspiration.

4.     Rethink

We used to believe the planet had endless resources, but we’re waking up to the fact that these are diminishing rapidly. So we need to rethink refuse or garbage.

We need to consider how we live, and how we can preserve our natural resources (eg energy and water). This way we can use them sparingly. We need to have these available for future generations.

Be aware of what you do and how it will impact the environment. Ask yourself: Can I do this more sustainably?

You don't have to buy something brand new. Rather visit a second-hand store and pick up something there? How can you reduce packaging? How can you be more environmentally aware at work?

Before you buy another product, ask yourself whether you need it. By consuming more, we’re creating more, and discarding more.

The garbage we discard ends up in landfills; this contributes to greenhouse gasses damaging our climate.

Are the goods you’re buying made ethically; designed for 'people planet profit' and the environment? Are they made of recycled raw materials? Can we recycle them?

5. Refuse

In this context, ‘refuse’ means to refuse to do something, not ‘refuse', as in 'garbage’. Maybe it's describing that you're refusing to buy something new, or are stopping yourself from using a straw that isn’t environmentally friendly.

Refusing to do these things means we are trying to stop harming the environment. In our pledge towards sustainability, we're not buying goods we don’t need, or, we're first asking whether the item is necessary before we purchase it.

Look at your lifestyle differently. Find greener ways to do and use things every day.

Why not use a paper packet instead of Tupperware to pack school lunches? Or take a reusable bottle of water instead of something that isn’t environmentally friendly? Every bit of effort counts.

6.     Repair

Don’t throw something away before asking yourself whether you can repair it.

If you tear clothing products, a tailor will help you fix them. You can glue certain things together and continue using them. Take your faulty mobile phone to a repair shop, like you take your washing machine or microwave when it stops working. Repairing is far less expensive than replacing an item, and greener too. 

We’re so used to easy consumption that we often don’t consider repairing instead of replacing something. Try to extend the lifecycle of your belongings. You will always locate someone who can help you fix it.

Make Sustainability Your Priority in the Textile Industry

We are often oblivious about how we’re harming our environment. But now it’s time to wake up and take action.

To help you use environmentally friendly fabric, there are two valuable informative guides on being environmentally aware in the textile industry. These will assist you to be more aware of your environmental impact when you manufacture, design, and print on fabrics:

1. Need assistance choosing eco-friendly fabrics for your products? Look at our Guide on Environmentally Friendly Fabrics here.
2. If you run a fabric company, check out Why it’s Important for Your Businesses to Focus on Sustainability.

If you have any questions about how environmentally friendly our fabric and fabric products and services are, contact us right away!