The journey of sustainability takes us from the farms of the growers and the natural benefits of the wool itself, right through to the manufacturing methods at the unique British mill. In these pages you will find actions that are currently being taken, as well as the commitments that are being made for the future.
Within the factory in the heart of Yorkshire, extra efforts are made to be a more sustainable business each and every day. Wool is of course a 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable fibre, which when combined with their commitments to zero waste, recycling and solar energy create a product of the highest ethical quality.
All of the mill's wool growers respect the five animal freedoms.
Healthy sheep equals quality wool.
FARM VISIT Masterton | New Zealand
The international network of Wool growers are annually audited under a number of criteria, covering areas such as animal welfare, land management and social impact.
Whilst the majority of this is completed by an external accredited body, the mill is always keen to visit the source and see the quality work with their own eyes! Pictured on these pages are some of the sheep in Masterton whose wool will be ending up in an Abraham Moon cloth.
The mill sources the vast majority of their wool from mulesing-free countries such as New Zealand, South Africa & GB.
Zero Waste
They have initiated practices on the production line to move towards a zero waste model of manufacturing. This includes the capture and re-use of loose fibre during both the carding and spinning processes, and bailing-up the selvedge after weaving to be recycled into isolation and/or carpeting underlay.
Investment
They have invested in better machinery with better energy efficiency, new electric motors for older machinery and LED lighting throughout the factory have been installed as part of the re-investment over the past 5-10 years. Modernised scouring machinery has also seen them reduce their water usage in the past decade.
Green Energy
10% of their total energy is generated by over 300 solar panels installed on the roof of their warehouse & finishing departments. This section of the mill is in fact fully self-sufficient, with any power they don't use being sold back to the national grid.
Single-Use Plastics & Recycling
The mill is committed to reducing single use plastics throughout the mill. In 2019 they have introduced a plastic free packaging option for the full range of woven accessories. Plastic yarn cones and polythene wrapping are both recycled internally. They also recycle cardboard internally, and metal bands from bales are sold to be re-used else where.
The mill has been working hard in recent years to dramatically reduce their use of plastics, whether that means the sourcing of other more sustainable materials for the purpose or using recycled alternatives.
One of the key areas they have made significant progress is in their warehouse & dispatch departments, where Moon & Bronte by Moon products are stocked and labelled up ready for the end customer.
They have developed a wholly plastic free packaging alternative for their interior & fashion accessories; wrapped in recyclable cardboard and appropriately branded for display in-store. This packaging is now the brand standard, cutting out the previous use of poly bags.
They are committed to being single-use plastic free by 2022.