GRASSLAND PRESERVATION
EXPLORE
SUSTAINABILITY
CARBON REDUCTION
C
O2
Carbon emissions have broad-ranging effects on the environment as well as on the health of individuals and organisms. The textile industry accounts for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions. As one of Scotland's last remaining vertical mills, we have a unique opportunity to address the use of carbon in every stage of our process, and we are continually working on ways to reduce our emissions. So far, we have reduced our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions directly from our own operations by 53% from 2016 to 2020.
RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
We are fortunate to operate our mills in Scotland, where there is an increasingly abundant supply of electricity produced by wind and solar power. All of the electricity used at our manufacturing sites is purchased from renewable sources.
NATURAL GAS
Between 2016 and 2020, we were able to reduce our use of natural gas by 24%. This was partially driven by adopting new technology in our dyehouse, boilers and fabric drying areas to enable less energy to be used. We are looking to make further reductions in our use of natural gas as technology develops.
ETHICAL CHOICES
We prioritise energy-efficient equipment when making new purchases and invest in energy-saving technologies where we can. For example, we use highly efficient heat exchangers in our dye vats to reduce energy use.
LESS MOVEMENT Our ability to dye, card, spin, weave or knit and finish our products on-site reduce our products' movement. When we do need to move products, we minimise airfreight, preferring transportation by land and sea.
EMISSIONS FROM FARMING
Carbon is produced when rearing animals, and our sheep and cashmere goats are no different. Nomadic goat herders and farmers rely on their goats for meat and milk, as well as the income generated by their cashmere fibre, which is a by-product of their subsistence lifestyle. This way of life has existed for centuries, long before rising carbon levels. Before then, these same grasslands were grazed by wild herbivores, who also gave off methane and still share Mongolia's grasslands today.
We recognise that there is a significant carbon output from wool and cashmere production. Wool and cashmere should always be considered a long-term investment and never as this season's disposable fashion item. The most important act we can all do in our clothing purchases is to buy less and buy better. With this in mind, it's important to us that our products last for a lifetime, and that you love them for all of that time.
When you invest in the best quality, natural fibre products, caring for them well will help to extend their lifespan. We can also repair your Johnstons cashmere knitwear if it has suffered wear and tear, moth holes or pilling caused by rubbing. For further information on our knitwear repair service, please contact repairs@johnstonsofelgin.com.
When your wool or cashmere product does finally reach the end of its life, it will biodegrade naturally in soil or water.
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