Our Sustainability Journey

Impact Conscious, from Cotton Field to Kearsley Mill

We want to be recognised as an Impact Conscious business. Every decision we make weighs its effect on people and the planet as well as on profit, so that all three move forward together.

Top 15%

of companies globally for sustainability performance - assessed by EcoVadis

80%

of our cotton purchased as Better Cotton in 2024

100%

renewable electricity for our UK electricity use since October 2020

of our waste goes to landfill

Climate & Carbon Responsible Supply Chain Materials Accreditations Policies

Climate & Carbon

Our Carbon Reduction Programme

Our targets

2028 20% Reduction in Energy Consumption
2035 Net Zero for Scope 1 and 2
2050 Net zero for Scope 3, in line with the Paris Agreement

We are actively working with our supply chain partners to reduce our scope 3 emissions.

What we've already done

99% of our goods arrive in the UK by sea rather than air
Goods travel by rail from port to warehouse — a 76% cut in transit emissions compared with diesel vans
Consolidated UK delivery networks to reduce transit emissions
All B2C customer deliveries made by electric van, except in the most remote parts of the UK
Bath linen packed in compressed cartons, using 25% less shipping container space

Climate & Carbon

Powering Heritage with the Sun

Kearsley Mill once relied on coal-fired energy to power its looms and spinning machines. Today it is home to a 620-panel, 269.7kWp solar photovoltaic system, delivered in close partnership with Renewable Planet.

The system is projected to generate 211.5 MWh of electricity a year, with 81% of that power forecast to be used on site.

Read about the solar project →

Production at a Richard Haworth partner facility

Responsible Supply Chain

Our Preferred Partner Programme

We extend our own quality and sustainability standards to the partners who make our products. Every supplier is assessed each year on operational performance — quality, consistency and service — and on sustainability, from energy and on sustainability, from energy and emissions, to water, waste and human rights.

Suppliers are placed in tiers based on their combined scores, with a clear route to improvement, and we work with them as long-term partners.

Read about the Partner Programme →

Standards We Ask of Our Partners

Ethical audits

All primary suppliers must undergo a Sedex SMETA 4-pillar audit, and we are members of Sedex.

ETI Base Code

Our Ethical Trading Policy is built on the ETI Base Code, covering fair wages, safe working conditions, working hours and freedom of association.

Ethical Trading Policy →

Quality and environment

Suppliers must hold ISO 9001 certification. Where applicable we encourage alignment with ISO 14001, and we require or prioritise third-party certifications such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

Modern slavery

We assess supplier risk every year, review third-party audits and train our sourcing teams to recognise the signs of forced labour.

Modern Slavery Statement →

Materials

Better Cotton

We are proud members of the Better Cotton Initiative, the world’s largest cotton sustainability programme. It trains farmers to use water efficiently, protect soil health and natural habitats, reduce the most harmful chemicals and respect workers’ rights.

In 2024, 80.03% of the cotton we purchased was Better Cotton. Every time you buy our cotton products, you support that work.

Read about Better Cotton →

Certified Organic and Recycled Ranges

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

Certified in 2025. GOTS confirms the use of organic fibres and strict environmental and social criteria across the supply chain, helping customers meet their own sustainability goals.

Read the GOTS news →