Our Vision
1. Preferred Fibres
Each garments has an impact. The fibres we choose directly affect the environment and communities across all stages of the garment's life cycle. Our aim is to only use fibres that are circular, regenerative and renewable.
What are Preferred Fibres & why do we use them?
We have developed a Preferred Fibres Portfolio which helps us prioritise fibres that have a lower impact on people and planet.
We define our ‘Preferred Fibres’ via a wide range of material specific indicators that include raw material inputs, water and energy consumption, chemical usage, carbon emissions, and end-of-life impact.
We use a variety of accredited certifications to ensure we are meeting the highest international standards relating to the social and environmental impact of the fibres.
Organic cotton is kinder to the soil, air, and our farmers. Free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic cotton uses up to 88% less water & 62% less energy compared to conventional cotton.
Organically grown cotton promotes soil fertility and biodiversity and sustains the health of ecosystems, workers and surrounding communities.
Organic practices prohibit the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilisers, as well as genetically engineered seeds (no GMOs), providing a safer work environment for farmers, minimising their exposure to harmful chemicals. The lack of energy-intensive chemicals reduces pollution runoff into natural waterways and ecosystems, and nurtures soil health by using natural materials for composting and multi-cropping or crop rotation. Not only that but healthy soil provides an opportunity to store large amounts of carbon, which is beneficial for our climate.
We primarily use Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certified cotton.
FSC Certified Viscose is kinder to the soil, air, and our farmers. Free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic cotton uses up to 88% less water & 62% less energy compared to conventional cotton.
Organically grown cotton promotes soil fertility and biodiversity and sustains the health of ecosystems, workers and surrounding communities.
Organic practices prohibit the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilisers, as well as genetically engineered seeds (no GMOs), providing a safer work environment for farmers, minimising their exposure to harmful chemicals. The lack of energy-intensive chemicals reduces pollution runoff into natural waterways and ecosystems, and nurtures soil health by using natural materials for composting and multi-cropping or crop rotation. Not only that but healthy soil provides an opportunity to store large amounts of carbon, which is beneficial for our climate.
We primarily use Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certified cotton.
Hemp is kinder to the soil, air, and our farmers. Free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic cotton uses up to 88% less water & 62% less energy compared to conventional cotton.
Organically grown cotton promotes soil fertility and biodiversity and sustains the health of ecosystems, workers and surrounding communities.
Organic practices prohibit the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilisers, as well as genetically engineered seeds (no GMOs), providing a safer work environment for farmers, minimising their exposure to harmful chemicals. The lack of energy-intensive chemicals reduces pollution runoff into natural waterways and ecosystems, and nurtures soil health by using natural materials for composting and multi-cropping or crop rotation. Not only that but healthy soil provides an opportunity to store large amounts of carbon, which is beneficial for our climate.
We primarily use Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certified cotton.
Tencel Lyocell is kinder to the soil, air, and our farmers. Free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic cotton uses up to 88% less water & 62% less energy compared to conventional cotton.
Organically grown cotton promotes soil fertility and biodiversity and sustains the health of ecosystems, workers and surrounding communities.
Organic practices prohibit the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilisers, as well as genetically engineered seeds (no GMOs), providing a safer work environment for farmers, minimising their exposure to harmful chemicals. The lack of energy-intensive chemicals reduces pollution runoff into natural waterways and ecosystems, and nurtures soil health by using natural materials for composting and multi-cropping or crop rotation. Not only that but healthy soil provides an opportunity to store large amounts of carbon, which is beneficial for our climate.
We primarily use Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certified cotton.
Linen is kinder to the soil, air, and our farmers. Free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic cotton uses up to 88% less water & 62% less energy compared to conventional cotton.
Organically grown cotton promotes soil fertility and biodiversity and sustains the health of ecosystems, workers and surrounding communities.
Organic practices prohibit the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilisers, as well as genetically engineered seeds (no GMOs), providing a safer work environment for farmers, minimising their exposure to harmful chemicals. The lack of energy-intensive chemicals reduces pollution runoff into natural waterways and ecosystems, and nurtures soil health by using natural materials for composting and multi-cropping or crop rotation. Not only that but healthy soil provides an opportunity to store large amounts of carbon, which is beneficial for our climate.
We primarily use Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certified cotton.
Recycled Fibres is kinder to the soil, air, and our farmers. Free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic cotton uses up to 88% less water & 62% less energy compared to conventional cotton.
Organically grown cotton promotes soil fertility and biodiversity and sustains the health of ecosystems, workers and surrounding communities.
Organic practices prohibit the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilisers, as well as genetically engineered seeds (no GMOs), providing a safer work environment for farmers, minimising their exposure to harmful chemicals. The lack of energy-intensive chemicals reduces pollution runoff into natural waterways and ecosystems, and nurtures soil health by using natural materials for composting and multi-cropping or crop rotation. Not only that but healthy soil provides an opportunity to store large amounts of carbon, which is beneficial for our climate.
We primarily use Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certified cotton.
Deadstock is kinder to the soil, air, and our farmers. Free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic cotton uses up to 88% less water & 62% less energy compared to conventional cotton.
Organically grown cotton promotes soil fertility and biodiversity and sustains the health of ecosystems, workers and surrounding communities.
Organic practices prohibit the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilisers, as well as genetically engineered seeds (no GMOs), providing a safer work environment for farmers, minimising their exposure to harmful chemicals. The lack of energy-intensive chemicals reduces pollution runoff into natural waterways and ecosystems, and nurtures soil health by using natural materials for composting and multi-cropping or crop rotation. Not only that but healthy soil provides an opportunity to store large amounts of carbon, which is beneficial for our climate.
We primarily use Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certified cotton.
Our Vision
Did you know that viscose fibres are derived from trees? These are known as man-made cellulosics.
More than 200 million trees are logged each year to produce these cellulosic fibres, many of these being ancient and endangered forests. As a signatory of the Canopy agreement, we are committed to sourcing fibres made from responsibly managed forests, protecting our old growth, endangered forests.
Our favourite sustainably sourced cellulose fibres are LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose & LENZING™ Modal.
Safe Use of Chemicals
We are committed to ensuring the health of our customers, makers within our global supply chain and the natural environment by limiting the use of harmful substances throughout the production process of our garments and accessories. Our Restricted Substance List (RSL) and the internationally accepted ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) are distributed for acknowledgment to each our our global partners in our garment supply chain. We conduct randomised laboratory tests in partnership with SGS Laboratories, of our fabrics every collection in order to ensure compliance with our RSL & MRSL.
Our Vision
2. Carbon
We know the climate is in crisis. As a business we can play a crucial part by reducing our emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the biggest contributors to the rise in global temperatures so we’re prioritising emissions reduction and offsetting what can’t be reduced.
We carbon offset 100% of our business operations. (Excluding product)
Carbon Footprint
We take our responsibly to reduce the amount of carbon spewing out into the atmosphere seriously. We began calculating our carbon footprint in 2019, and each year we have learned and improved our methodology to expand the breadth of our inventory and improve the accuracy of our calculations.
We calculate and report on our carbon footprint each year in our annual Impact Report. Find out more here.
Who we offset with
Tasman Environmental Markets (TEM)
For FY22 we offset 1069 tonnes of CO2e generated by our international operations through a portfolio of two different projects facilitated by Tasman Environmental Markets:
Rainforest Rescue: Rainforest protection projects primarily located in Peru
Projects across Peru protect large, in tact areas of rainforest that would otherwise be cleared, preventing the release of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year Protecting the forests secures the carbon stored within the organic matter. Additionally, these projects secures vital habitat for a multitude of endemic and endangered species of plants and animals.
Winds of Change: International renewable energy projects primarily located in India
Wind farms provide clean energy to the grid which would otherwise be generated by coal-fired power stations. The introduction of wind energy to the grid not only avoids emissions and reduces air pollution, but also improves electricity availability in some regions.
On Site Composting
In 2019 we installed a Subpod compost garden at Spell HQ to reduce landfill, minimise carbon emissions and to educate and inspire our team. As an added bonus our Subpod provided a beautiful lunch area for our team and a herb garden for our lunches.
Powered by Green Energy
We invested in solar panels for our HQ and Byron store,and opted for the 100% GreenPower plan with electricity provider Energy Locals. This means that for every kWh of electricity we purchase, they will purchase the equivalent value from renewable energy generators. By purchasing GreenPower we are supporting additional investment and increasing demand for renewable energy. Our GreenPower equates to zero emissions or ‘carbon neutral’ electricity.
Our Vision
3. Circularity
The global fashion community must be determined to break down current business models and rebuild innovatively
The traditional linear business model has us overusing earth’s limited resources, damaging ecosystems, and producing more waste globally than we can properly manage. Circularity is the only way forward.
Fashion generates 4% of the world’s waste each year - a whopping 92 million tonnes. For context, a blue whale weighs 200 tonnes.
Less than 1% of materials used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing * A New Textiles Economy
12.8 million tonnes of clothing is sent to landfills annually *Environment Protection Age
Nearly three-fifths or 60% of all clothing produced, ends up in incinerators or landfills within one year of being made *McKinsey 2016
Spell Renew
What is deadstock?
Excess fabric that is leftover from the production of garments.
Our Commitment
Since the beginning, Spell has vowed to never allow deadstock fabric to be incinerated or end up in landfill.
What usually happens to deadstock?
It is often incinerated or sent to landfill.
What do we do with our deadstock?
Reimagine and reuse deadstock to create our Spell Renew collections.
Our Vision
Spell Salvage
Did you know…
As little as 20% of clothing donations to charity shops have been found to make it to the racks for resale, with the fate of the remaining donations varying from being cut up for rags, shipped overseas (which has become a major environmental issue!), to being sent to landfill
We are committed to looking at this from every angle, examining the full life cycle of our garments, implementing an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program, and taking responsibility for their end of life.
We've been making clothes for over a decade, have a thriving buy-swap-sell community (so we know you’d pass it on if you could!), but we know some garments can be loved to death, here’s where your piece can go to recycling heaven.
Our very first online resale platform is now live. Start listing your pre-loved pieces and shop our communities wardrobes.
Our Vision
4. Packaging
We have joined a global movement led by Canopy to create an industry wide shift towards responsible packaging.
Spell knows that all single-use packaging—no matter the material—impacts ecosystems from production to disposal, so we take a holistic approach that protects both forests and oceans. That’s why we’re proud to support Canopy’s Pack4Good Initiative to drive real change in packaging sustainability.Read the Pack4Good statement here.
Each year we calculate our carbon footprint and neutralise the emissions produced by our operations—this includes our garment packaging and mailing satchels. To learn more about how we are taking responsibility for our emissions click here.
Carbon Footprint
We take our responsibly to reduce the amount of carbon spewing out into the atmosphere seriously. We began calculating our carbon footprint in 2019, and each year we have learned and improved our methodology to expand the breadth of our inventory and improve the accuracy of our calculations.
We calculate and report on our carbon footprint each year in our annual Impact Report. Find out more here.
