Our Journey to a Circular Economy

At Gorman, we are taking responsibility for reducing our environmental impact by continuously improving our practices across all stages of our product lifecycle, including manufacturing, distribution, and retail.

We support the Paris Agreement in limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by offsetting at least 50% absolute aggregate GHG emission reductions in scope 1, 2, and 3 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard by 2030 against a baseline no earlier than 2019 and commit to achieving net zero emissions no later than 2050.

Gorman’s parent company, Factory X, signed the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action in 2022 to formalise our commitment to the Paris Agreement. Click here for more details.

Carbon Footprint FY21

We offset our GHG emissions by donating $150,000 to fund biodiverse habitat and native bush regeneration in Victoria.

Factory X commissioned an Operating Carbon Footprint (taken from Head Office Operations and a comprehensive 30% outlets) which enables us to take positive action to reduce our GHG’s as a targeted effort to be net zero by 2030.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Strategies

In 2019, Gorman Head Office, Design Studio, and Warehouse switched to 100% Green power generated from solar and wind and certified carbon neutral with no net greenhouse gas emissions. Our stand-alone retail stores are carbon offset resulting in an annual reduction of approximately 1279 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Read about the Fashion Industry Climate Charter here.

Chemical & Environment Protection & Performance Audits

To ensure our suppliers adhere to best environmental practice, Gorman has commissioned a range of independent audits led by the Environmental Sustainability Specialist Professor Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu.

Chemical Management

All Gorman suppliers must ensure chemicals are used safely and responsibly in accordance with Chemical Safety and Compliance, MRSL, RSL, and must conform to the European Chemicals Agency Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Reduction of Chemicals (REACH) list of restricted chemicals.

This covers chemical storage & safety, hazardous waste disposal, wastewater treatment systems. Each factory must comply with applicable national and international environmental laws, standards, and regulations, and partner with their external suppliers to develop, implement, and maintain environmentally responsible business practices.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

All suppliers have been independently audited by either BSCI, SEDEX, WRAP, or QUALSPECS.

Sustainable Packaging

In 2021, we joined the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and committed to reducing the kerbside waste. In 2023, we were nominated for the Recycled Content Award as we switched from single-use plastic mailers to recycled FSC-certified paper satchels for all our online orders.

• Plastic tape with kraft paper tape
• Colored (dyed) tissue paper with natural (kraft) tissue paper
• Existing stickers with paper-based stickers
• High-density shrink wrap with lower density shrink wrap

Recycling Policies for Head office & Free-standing Stores

Our head office sustainability team share responsibility to act on sustainability goals within the company.

Gorman follows a Green Procurement Policy that supports more informed choices that have a lower environmental impact. For example, the Gorman Design Studio uses Eco Store handwash, Who Gives a Crap 100% "tree-free" bamboo toilet tissue, and 100% recycled hand towels.

We have a "Reduce, Respect, and Recycle" approach to our waste management with 3 Step Recycling Bins throughout Head Office and Soft Plastic and Fabric Recycling bins at the Warehouse.

Freight and Logistics

We examined our freight mode, routing, and distribution to create a better flow and considerably reduce GHG’s associated with this activity.

Original Direct to Store Delivery Model - Pre December 2020

Revised Direct to Store Delivery Model - Post December 2020

Separate shipments to MEL and SYD ports

Results:

Melbourne:

• Reduction in international shipping carbon emissions by 4%
• Direct delivery from wharf to domestic carrier bypassing local warehouses
• Reduction in domestic transport carbon emissions by 24%

Auckland:

• Direct shipment to AKL port Change of mode from AIR ex MEL to SEA ex SHA
• Reduction in international shipping carbon emissions by 73%

Fabric Selection

Global Textile Standards

We are working towards all our fabrics being certified by globally recognised textiles standards. These textile standards provide assurance that a third party has audited and verified that the social and environmental criteria have been met from the growing and processing of raw materials through to manufacturing of the product.

Key third-party organisations we work with include:

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)

GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. On working conditions general provisions are required according to the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards covers processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, trading, and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibers.

OEKO-TEX® (Sustainable Textile Production)

STeP is a certification system from the textile chain, for brands, manufacturers, and retailers who want to communicate their achievements regarding sustainable production to the public in a transparent, credible, and clear manner. Certification is possible for production facilities of all processing stages from fiber production to finishing facilities and manufacturers of ready-made textile items. The objective of STeP certification is the permanent implementation of environmentally friendly production processes, optimum health and safety, and socially acceptable working conditions.

Bluesign®

The bluesign® system focuses on resources, people, and the environment. With its holistic approach based on Input Stream Management, the bluesign® system reduces the impact on people and on the environment, ensures responsible use of resources, and guarantees the highest level of consumer safety. The most stringent criteria and monitoring of on-site implementation encourage companies along the entire textile value chain to improve their sustainability performance.

Upcycling Projects

In December 2019, Gorman Upcycle was born as a creative way to reuse and repurpose fabric off-cuts and remnants collected over the years, with a debut collection of 10 covetable handmade quilts.

We have also developed a number of upcycled knitwear styles over the last few years that use small batches of yarn leftover from production runs. This ensures the yarn does not become waste.