Making clothes comes with an ecological and social footprint. We are committed to using more responsible materials that cause less pollution to water, air, soil and life.
Our goal is to find the right balance between sustainability, functionality, and purpose. For us, responsible materials are made from recycled content, grown using organic practices, or have a proven lower environmental and social impact than conventional ones.
WOOL & CASHMERE
Wool and cashmere are lightweight natural fibers made from the fleece of sheep and cashmere goats, and have unique characteristics such as comfort, versatility, and great thermal performance. As it is a natural fiber, wool is also biodegradable and fully recyclable in its pure form.
We source, as much as possible, virgin wool from certified responsible sources that respect the highest standards of animal welfare and land stewardship. We also encourage our suppliers to align with animal health and welfare standards as part of our Code of Conduct. Plus, we have introduced in our collections recycled pre- and post-consumer wool and cashmere that has been recovered from existing materials and regenerated into new yarns. For FW23, about 34% of the wool in our products was made using recycled content.
POLYESTER & NYLON
Polyester and nylon are strong synthetic fibers which are long lasting, weather resistant, and quick drying.
We know the fashion industry is largely dependent on non-renewable and finite resources, such as synthetic fibers made from petroleum. Synthetics also release microplastic pollution that enters the wider environment, which can cause negative effects on ecosystems and human health.
As a sportswear and activewear business, we rely on synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon for their comfort and technical performance. We are working on replacing synthetic materials with natural materials, without compromising performance. Where this is not still possible, we are working to reduce our use of virgin polyester and nylon. For FW23, about 73% of the nylon and about 93% of the polyester in our products were made using recycled content.
SEAWOOL
Seawool is a functional fiber whose structure shares 99% of wool’s traits. It is made through a process that uses patented technology to create yarn made from recycled polyester from plastic bottles, and upcycled oyster shells.
Thanks to the recycled PET used, the fiber is fast drying, anti-wrinkle and easy care, while the oyster shell makes the fiber anti-bacterial, anti-static, insulating and wool-like to handle.
PACKAGING MATERIALS
Our commitment towards responsible materials also extends to packaging; for this reason, we are adopting solutions to limit the amount of unnecessary plastic in our retail packaging (goods we send directly to you, the customer), as well as in our purchased goods and wholesale packaging. Not only is packaging the dominant application of plastic globally (at 26% of total volume), but its small size also makes it especially prone to leakage into the ocean.
We use organic cotton bags and paper-based products from certified, responsible sources in our retail packaging, and we are piloting water-activated paper tape to replace plastic tape that can contaminate cardboard packaging. In transport packaging, we use recycled plastic polybags and cardboard from certified, responsible sources.
PROCESSES
Finding ecologically responsible materials is just one part of our sustainability work. We know producing and finishing garments can also have a high environmental impact. We are committed to finding effective solutions to improve these processes.
GUPPYFRIEND™ WASHING BAG
Customers too, play a part in minimizing microplastic pollution. Every time you wash synthetic clothes, the garments shed small plastic pieces. In fact, the majority of microplastics from textiles are released during the first few washes.
North Sails is aware of the importance of garment care and wants to help you minimize the impact of laundering. You can now purchase the GUPPYFRIEND™ Washing Bag online and in all North Sails stores worldwide.The GUPPYFRIEND™ Washing Bag reduces fiber shedding and protects your clothes during laundering.
How? First, put all your synthetic clothing in the Bag before washing. Once the washing cycle is complete, open the Bag and remove all microfibres—no worries, you can throw them away in the trash.