Ethics and Sustainability

Our sustainability and ethics aren’t an afterthought - they’re the foundation of how we show up for the world, for each other, and for every climber who refuses to shrink themselves to fit the norm. We understand that every action we take has an impact, and wherever possible we want that impact to be positive; to protect the places we climb and uplift the people who make our gear possible.

Here at Clover, we believe that Sustainability and Ethics break down into a few different categories:

  1. Materials
  2. Product Life
  3. Manufacture
  4. Packaging

Materials:

This one is probably the most obvious. What the garments are made from. At Clover, we use a wide range of fabrics, which will change and grow as the product line expands. When choosing materials for the products, there are a few different things I consider, such as how well suited the fabric is to the job, the fiber content and how it’s produced as well as the overall impact of the fabric, such as water consumption and carbon footprint. 

I also want to ensure that the materials chosen do their job, and do it well. Climbing is a tough sport and it is tougher on your clothes. If you’ve ever whaled yourself over a top out boulder, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Making sure the materials are up to the job is my priority, as the longer the garment lasts, the smaller its impact is overall. 

As I’m only a small company, I am often at the mercy of manufacturers and their stock fabrics, so my choice in certain realms can be limited. However, wherever possible, I am opting for more sustainable fibers, such as Cotton, Modal, Tencel, Lyocell and Recycled Nylons. In the future, as I grow, I will have more power to use custom fabrics, and my goal long term is to use only the most sustainable fabrics across the full range. 

Product Life:

Following the research by the NGO WRAP – “WRAP’s research shows that extending the lifespan of clothing by just nine months could reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by up to 20%, saving £5 billion in resources annually"

To me, this is crucial. If I can make Clover’s products comfortable, durable, well-fitting and easy to repair, they can be worn time and time again, which not only serves you better but also reduces its impact even further. The pieces Clover sells are a long-term investment, they are not a piece for just one season. I want you to have these items for years and years and keep coming back to them over and over (because they’re obviously your favourites).

All products are tested extensively on the wall, outdoors and even in the washing machine to ensure they will last and perform time and time again. 

Manufacture:

You can’t call yourself sustainable or ethical without considering the working conditions and pay of the people making your clothes. 

Every supplier I am using has independent, third-party auditing not just for the factory, but for the supply chain as a whole. As a minimum, the suppliers I use must be amfori BSCI Certified* to ensure the products are made in a safe, ethical and sustainable way. 

*BSCI certification, now known as amfori BSCI, is a social audit system for supply chains to ensure ethical labor practices and responsible business conduct. It is not a certification for individuals, but an initiative that provides a common code of conduct and a single system for monitoring social performance across global supply chains, based on the principles of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Packaging:

I work closely with my suppliers to reduce excess packaging on any orders and shipments coming in, and the clothes are packed all together rather than individually to reduce single use plastic. I also do not package each individual clothing item in plastic when I ship them out to you, to reduce excess waste. 

The shipping mailers are made from 100% recycled plastic, and can be recycled again (or used for your next vinted parcel). I opted to go for recycled plastic mailers as opposed to paper, due to the risk of rain in the UK and how often packages are left outside. I also considered compostable mailers, but finding ones that can be composted at home (rather than in industrial composters) proved difficult, and I wanted to ensure the packaging was as easy for you to recycle as possible. 

 

Creating a sustainable and ethical company is a long term commitment and not a one and done. The plan will update and change as Clover grows and changes, but this is our pledge to keep it at the forefront with every decision we make. As a brand rooted in the outdoors, it's our responsibility to care for and protect it wherever we can.