We don't like wasting things.
Fabric scraps, leftover materials, little pieces that seem too small to be useful… before anything goes into the bin, we like to ask:
“Could we make something out of this?” Sometimes the answer is yes...And that's where the fun begins.
Our goal is simple, to keep as much material as possible in use and out of landfill.
We're not going to claim that we create absolutely zero waste, we don't. But reducing waste is something we are constantly working towards, and we love finding creative ways to make the most of what we already have.
One of the easiest ways to avoid waste is not to make things nobody wants.
We deliberately keep our production small. Instead of producing huge quantities, we make limited runs, test new designs and listen to our community before deciding what to make more of.
This helps us avoid piles of unwanted stock and gives us something else we really value:
the freedom to experiment.
We'd much rather make a little, see what you love and grow from there than produce mountains of stuff just because we can.
Fabric offcuts are one of our favourite challenges.
Rather than throwing them away, we're always looking for ways to turn those leftover pieces into something useful and beautiful.
Depending on their size, our offcuts can become pockets, bucket hats, scrunchies, patches and other little details that give our pieces their own special character.
Sometimes the smallest scraps create the most unexpected ideas.
And when we manage to turn something that would have been waste into a new product, we're pretty happy about it!
We also think about what happens after your The Green Print Collective parcel leaves our studio.
Packaging is an important part of the waste conversation, so we've chosen to work with The Better Packaging Co., a company focused on designing waste out of packaging.
Our garments are packaged using ComPOLY home compostable bags made from corn starch, designed to protect your new piece while avoiding conventional plastic packaging.
Our shipping mailers and labels are also home compostable.
Once you've unpacked your order, you can reuse the packaging and then compost it at home, with the labels still attached. Under the right home composting conditions, the packaging is designed to break down in around 180 days.
Because the best packaging is packaging that doesn't stick around for generations.
We're proud that The Green Print Collective is plastic free!
It's another small decision that forms part of a much bigger picture.
From the fabrics we choose, to the way we print, package and produce, we're constantly looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint.
We're not perfect.
We're just really committed to doing better.
The fashion industry has become very good at making things quickly and cheaply.
We're interested in something else.
Making fewer things. Making them thoughtfully. Using what already exists. Finding another use for what would otherwise be thrown away. And creating products that people genuinely want to keep.
It takes more time.
It takes more imagination.
And sometimes it takes a little more work.
But when we look at a pile of fabric that could have ended up in the bin and see a collection of colourful new pockets, hats or accessories instead…
We think it's absolutely worth it!
