Sustainability & Ethics
Our Environmental Promise
Our Commitment to Ireland's Natural Heritage
Since 2017, Celtic Fusion has been a proud supporter of native tree reforestation in Ireland. To date, we've helped plant 16,900 native trees, ensuring their protection for future generations, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a healthier planet. Our contributions go beyond just planting trees; they're a recognition of the resources used in creating and delivering our designs to you. By supporting Hometree, a nature-positive organization, we and our customers contributed to the restoration of native woodlands, with one tree planted for every order received.
Starting in 2024, each order will include a €4 contribution, rewilding 4 square meters of land through Hometree's flagship Wild Atlantic Rainforest project. This initiative adopts a holistic rewilding and natural regeneration approach to create and restore habitats, allowing nature to take its course.
As we celebrate our 8th year partnering with Hometree, we're thrilled to continue this journey together. We've actively participated in tree planting, worked in their organic nursery, and joined numerous events. To learn more about how the Celtic Fusion Design community can engage further, visit Hometree's website. Here, you can also sign up for open days to see firsthand the impact of our collaboration.
See our Video about the project below.
All our packaging is recyclable 💚
Sustainability and Ethics
Sustainable & Natural Fabrics
Below you will find details on the sustainability of some of our natural fabrics
Cotton, linen blends, jute and coconut used to create sustainable Celtic Clothing
Raw Jute
Raw jute is derived from plant fibres that do not require any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. The plant (corchorus capsularis) relies heavily on natural rainfall, and in this way, avoids the use of wasteful irrigation practices. The jute plant is beneficial to have growing in large quantities as it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at a faster rate than trees. The plants only take 4 - 6 months to reach maturity, resulting in a high yield helping to limit the amount of land required for crops. The fabric that results is entirely biodegradable and can be dyed using natural dyes.
Unbleached, Hand-spun, Handwoven Cotton
This cotton (known as "khadi cotton") does not use any carbon in its production process. The practice of hand weaving cotton needs no electricity or machines making it the only fabric that does not use fossil fuels and only requires 3 litres of water to create 1 metre of fabric - as opposed to the 55 litres used to create a metre of fabric in an industrialised mill. The cotton does not undergo bleaching or scouring, which allows the production process to avoid the use of toxic chemicals entirely.
Un-dyed Fabrics
The dyeing industry is one of the most chemically intensive processes in the world - using up to 8000 different chemicals. Many of our creations are made up of plant fibres that are not bleached or dyed, and instead retain the natural colour of the fabric.
Coconut
We pay attention to every little detail of our designs to be sustainable, including the buttons. Instead of using plastic, we opt for a more eco-friendly choice with wooden buttons made from the off-guarded shells of coconuts. Not only do these buttons look and feel great, but they also help reduce waste in the fashion industry. By using this innovative approach, we ensure that we're not only providing our customers with high-quality clothing but also protecting the environment by not contributing to deforestation.
Sustainable Work Practices & Production
At Celtic Fusion, we prioritise creating a workplace that is safe, healthy, and positive. Our commitment to promoting women in the workplace and protecting the human rights of those we work with is paramount. Founder and designer Regina Tierney spends three months each year in India, building personal relationships with our suppliers and ensuring that all teams' working conditions meet our high standards.
Our dedication to sustainability is evident at every stage of our production process. We partner with small, independent manufacturers who share our values and produce our clothing in small batches to reduce waste and ensure that we only make what we need. We prioritize ethical labor practices and ensure that everyone involved in the production process is treated fairly. This in-person relationship with our suppliers allows us to maintain the highest standards for working conditions and product quality, ensuring that our customers receive products that they can feel good about wearing. We believe that the choices we make today will impact the world tomorrow, and at Celtic Fusion, we take that responsibility seriously.
Low Environmental impact
Fast fashion is a major issue in the clothing industry. It refers to the production of low-quality clothing often with an attraction of low prices created at a rapid pace, which encourages consumers to buy more and discard items quickly. The fast fashion model is unsustainable and has led to environmental degradation, as well as poor labor conditions for garment workers.
To promote sustainability and ethics in the clothing industry, we focus on producing high-quality, durable, timeless garments that are made to last.
Sustainability and ethics are crucial considerations when it comes to clothing production. One of the most significant challenges is reducing water and energy consumption. The textile industry is one of the largest consumers of water, and the production of clothing can be very energy-intensive. To address this issue, we choose to work with materials that require less water to produce.
We also avoid bleaching to minimise toxic chemicals in our clothing. Celtic Fusion have a wide range of un-dyed fabric Celtic clothing designs to choose from made from raw plant fibres that retain the natural colour of the fabric giving our customers authentic clothing which is natural and feels great on the skin.
Overall, it is essential to understand the impact of clothing production on the environment and to work towards more sustainable and ethical practices. By reducing water and energy consumption, using eco-friendly dyeing and bleaching methods, and avoiding fast fashion, we can move towards a more sustainable and ethical future for the clothing industry.
Avoid fast fashion, choose sustainable, repair and repurpose when possible, donate and recycle!
