Sustainability and Environmental Approach
We started Lapskaus with a few values at the heart of what we wanted to build. As well as the goals to celebrate Liverpool, its artists and makers, to create connection and support the community, we also wanted to shift away from fast fashion with a focus on design, quality, ethical and environmental responsibility.
As a new business, we wanted to start off on the right foot and build from there. It's a journey we are on, we’ve a lot to learn and we’ll likely make some mistakes along the way, but being kind to people and the planet are part of our core values from day one.
Here are some of the things we are starting with.
Our ultimate goal is to use a local printer, but as we are a start-up, this doesn’t yet make sense for us yet as we are not in a position to hold stock. In the meantime, we have started up by using a print on demand (PoD) partner - this means that our products are printed as demand is created i.e. when you order, it goes to our print partner who prints it and ships it directly to you. We took our time to review print on demand providers and ensure we selected a partner that takes the environment and sustainability seriously, aligning on our ethos.
Printing
Our printing partner uses inks that are both vegan and eco-friendly. They're also OEKO-TEX® approved - they don't contain any regulated or unregulated chemicals harmful to the environment. Whilst not yet Liverpool based, they are in the North West.
Shipping
The packaging for different products is varied, but it's all eco-friendly, recyclable or biodegradable, shipped plastic-free.
Recycling
All textile waste that is produced by our printing partners is recycled and given a second life in products such as carpet underlay, which ensures they do not enter landfill.
Apparel
We selected a premium apparel manufacturer/brand that’s eco-friendly with a strong social responsibility policy. Most of the products are 100% organic cotton and the few that aren’t are made from recycled materials. They guarantee the traceability of their raw materials, all the products we use from them are certified by GOTS by Control Union CU 819434 (for organic cotton) or GRS by Control Union CU 819434 (for recycled cotton, recycled polyester and recycled nylon).