Type Two is founded on strong environmental values. These values shape the products we design and the methods we use to create them. For our first product – the Type Two Neck Warmer – we focused on 3 factors to reduce the carbon footprint of the garment we brought to market.
FACTOR 1: MATERIAL SELECTION
In order to create a high-functioning, cold weather neck warmer, we began the design process by searching for a high-quality outerwear fabric. The fabric needed to deliver on insulation, wind resistance, and breathability. After an extensive search, we settled on an ultra-soft polyester fleece that offers warmth where it counts.
Polyester fleece has been used by brands specialising in outdoor performance gear for decades. The trouble is most companies use virgin polyester to produce their garments. This is because virgin polyester is faster and cheaper to produce. In contrast, our recycled polyester fleece is made from post-consumer products like plastic bottles and old jumpers, which are melted down and re-spun into fibers that then get woven into fabric that looks and feels just like new.
In addition to using Global Recycling Standard certified polyester, we also chose to work with a supplier with an integrated supply chain. This meant that our fabric was woven and dyed in the same facility as it was cut and stitched into garments. The benefit here: less travel (and ultimately less fuel) moving materials around from one part of the supply chain to another.
FACTOR 2: WASTE REDUCTION
FACTOR 3: DISTRIBUTION
Once the garments were produced and ready for sale, our next challenge was distribution. The launch of the TT Neck Warmer fell in the lead up to Christmas – a time when national postal services are notoriously stressed and gas-guzzling couriers are unappealing as ever.
To make sure our Neck Warmers reached customers in time, we launched our first green delivery campaign. For 5 days in December, we offered free next-day bike delivery for any orders within London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). With over 40 stops to make, all orders were hand-delivered, all arrived before the holidays, and over half of the cycle journeys were fueled by a vegan diet – which can lower the overall carbon cost of the delivery service by up to 74%.
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