Transparency & Accreditations

The Carbon Reduction Institute is one of the benchmark reporters on carbon footprints in businesses. Our first report showed that Etiko’s carbon footprint was 66.48 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission. While this is vastly lower than the industry standard in Australia, it’s still not good enough for us. This is why we’re on track for net-zero across our entire supply chain. Etiko offsets its carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits from Timor-Leste via Carbon Social, who work with subsistence farmers in Baguia to replant trees, improve livelihoods and build village economies.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international not-for-profit which promotes sustainable, responsible management of the world’s forests. Our cardboard and paper is FSC certified, meaning that it comes from a source which is sustainably and responsibly managed. Where we can, we opt for cardboard and paper options over plastic; where we can’t, we ensure that our plastic is biodegradable and compostable, by buying it from companies like Natur-tech. Even our plastic mail bags are recyclable via the Australia Post Mailing Satchel Brigade program.

Approximately 55 million tonnes of pesticide is used on cotton crops worldwide. Not only does this drastically affect local wildlife populations for the worse, it affects the drinkable water supply in many parts of the world. At Etiko, we believe this is unacceptable, which is why we use 100% organic cotton on all of our products.

Our rubber, too, is all natural, tapped from rubber trees in Sri Lanka. Most rubbers are petroleum-based; this means they emit copious amounts of unnecessary carbon into the atmosphere, and are dependent on environmentally-destructive fossil fuels. Natural rubber, by contrast, is 100% biodegradable, and feels great against your skin!

Finally, our products are cruelty-free. We use no animals or animal glues in our apparel, and as a result, we’re helping to reduce the carbon footprint that comes from animal agriculture. Not to mention, we’re saving a huge amount of pain for the animals who usually bear the brunt of relentless harm in the fashion industry.

We regularly audit and inspect our farmers and manufacturers to ensure our ethical, environmental and organic standards are met. Two of our primary suppliers are Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills (which sources its cotton from Chetna Organic) and Konark Cotton Growers Coop. Spinning Mills Ltd..

Chetna Organic

Chetna Organic works with small and marginal farmers from the rainfed regions of Maharashtra, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, covering around 43,500 acres in India’s central-west region. Chetna is committed to improving the livelihood options of these farmers, to make farming a sustainable and profitable occupation. Cotton sourced from Chetna Organic is organic and FairTrade certified.

Chetna Organic is based at H.NO. 1-305, Lakkaram Post Utnoor, Mandal, Adilabad district. The group was last audited in January 2021. The group is composed of 14 cooperatives, with approximately 35,000 farmer members, of whom approximately 10,000 work for organic and FairTrade producers. Approximately 36% of their workforce are female.

Konark Cotton Growers Coop. Spinning Mills Ltd.

After the cotton has been picked at one of Chetna’s organic cotton farms, it is sent to Konark Cotton Growers for ginning. Ginning is the process of separating seed from cotton. The cotton then undergoes multiple processes in order to become fabric. Konark Cotton Growers is certified under Chetna Organic’s Fairtrade Certification. Konark’s address can be found at P.O Kesinga Kalahandi, Odisha, India.

Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills

The Rajlakshmi Cotton Mill sources its cotton from Chetna Organic Cotton, a Fairtrade cotton project supporting 6,000 farmers. Environmentalism is at its core: Rajlakshmi reuses 50% of its waste water, by collaborating with dye houses and installing reverse osmosis machines. Sludge from the mill is converted into fertiliser, and fabric scraps are taken from the cutting tables and recycled to produce paper. Rajlakshmi is also certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), meaning they use at least 95% organic fibres, fabrics and yarns in their production.

Rajlakshmi provides a range of worker benefits and community projects for the staff at their cotton mill, including education, skills and training for workers; free transportation to and from factories; a 10% annual bonus regardless of profitability; 2 weeks of leave for festivals; subsidised canteen services; and eye examination and operation sites for children. Rajlakshmi management also collaborates with a local NGO to calculate a living wage for their employees every six months, ensuring that the lowest-paid workers are paid above this rate. Wages are verified by independent third-party audits to ensure compliance with FairTrade USA standards.

Spinning and dyeing is subcontracted by Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills to another company listed under their supply chain. The subcontractor is audited by Control Union, a third-party audit agency who adheres to Rajlakshmi’s policies and codes of conduct.

Rajlakshmi Cotton Mills is based at 4th Floor, 234/3A, A. J. C. Bose Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700020, India. Our last audit there was conducted in January 2021. 1616 employees across two locations were noted, including 35 female workers (2.17% of the total workforce).

We’re certified by Fairtrade, B Corp, Global Organic Textile Standard and Social Traders.

Fairtrade Certified

This means we pay our farmers and workers a fair, living wage for their work. (Sadly, most fashion companies in Australia aren’t Fairtrade certified)

B Corp Certified

This means we meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability in Australia

Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS)

This means our products are made with 95% organic fibres, yarns and textiles

Social Traders Certified

This means we are a certified social enterprise operating in Australia

Etiko Pty Ltd assesses all suppliers through this supplier code of conduct in regulation with national and/or international standards and our own high standards for helping to create a better world. Click Here to read more.

The Australian Modern Slavery Act requires Australian businesses earning over $100 million annually to submit an annual Modern Slavery Statement. Whilst we don't fit this criteria, we believe all businesses should be required to submit a statement. So in 2021 we wrote our first Volunteer Modern Slavery Statement. Click Here to read it.

Click Here to read our Sustainability, Transparency and Impact Report.