OUR COMMITMENT TO
Sustainability
ENVIRONMENT / PEOPLE / MANUFACTURING
Our commitment to sustainability is at the heart of our brand’s values. We have worked with natural, renewable, biodegradable fibres since 1797 and strive to reduce our environmental footprint year after year. We aim to tread lightly, but we know we still have work to do. Here is our story so far.
ENTER 'THE WORLD OF JOHNSTONS OF ELGIN'
our 2024 sustainability impact report
We are incredibly proud to now be a Certified B Corporation. We join a community of over 7,669 businesses globally working to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
WINNERS OF
THE QUEEN'S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY
In April 2021, we were proud to receive the Queen's Award for Enterprise, for our work on sustainability. The Queen's Awards for Enterprise is the most prestigious business awards programme in the world, and the Sustainable Development category recognises organisations developing products and services that have a positive impact on the environment, society and the economy.
OUR COMMITMENT TO
THE ENVIRONMENT & ANIMAL WELFARE
We are committed to ensuring the well-being of the animals at the source of our fine fibres and protecting the environments in which they live. We are working hard to further reduce our carbon emissions.
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OUR COMMITMENT TO
EMPLOYEES & COMMUNITY
People have always been at the heart of everything we do. We are the largest textile manufacturer to sign up to the Living Wage Foundation, paying the real Living Wage across all our operations.
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OUR COMMITMENT TO
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING
The single most significant commitment we can all make to sustainability is to buy less and buy better. Our beautifully crafted, high-quality products are made to last and will biodegrade naturally when they finally reach the end of their life. We are committed to improving our sustainability across all aspects of our business.
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MAKING PROGRESS
OUR ECO UPDATES
Improving our sustainability is not a quick fix; it's a long-term journey that impacts every aspect of our business. We want to make a real difference, not just tell our customers what they want to hear. With that in mind, Our Sustainability Stories explores areas where we are advocating change, improving our processes and ultimately helping to protect the environment.
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Our Story
05 Dec 2024
A Tribute to Our Founder
To mark the 250th Anniversary of our founder, Alexander Johnston (31 December 1774 - 16 March 1864), we've created a covetable limited edition blanket. Referencing designs from the oldest pattern book in our archives, dating back to 1864 (the year of Alexander's passing), we've created a unique blanket based on our signature Gunclub.
25 Nov 2024
Oliver Spendley | Sculptor
As we prepared to open doors to our new Burlington Arcade Boutique earlier this month, we sought out the skillset of local Scottish craftspeople to help make the ‘House’ a home. Amongst the talent was sculptor, Oliver Spendley. Based in the Highlands, Oliver spends his days perfecting his craft in creating Totem-style furniture and sculptures using natural, sustainably sourced materials. We chat more about the project he created for our new store and the inspiration behind it, whilst learning more about his venture.
29 Oct 2024
Celebrating 175 Years of Vicuña
Once reserved for royalty, soft honey-toned vicuña boasts a rich history. As we celebrate 175 years of working with this exceptional fibre, we look at what makes it so special.
23 Oct 2024
Johnstons of Elgin: Raven in the Wild
If I won the lottery I wouldn’t tell anyone, but there would be signs. I’d quietly flourish, getting somehow hotter and somehow taller more generally remarkable. As a passive observer, it would be hard to put your finger on what had changed. But I’d be more rebellious and more playful, more dangerous but also more alluring (all this just means more sexy).
08 Oct 2024
Richard Gaston | Friends of Johnstons of Elgin
For this instalment of our "Friends Of' series, we sit down for a chat - over a steaming pot of green tea, no less - with Glasgow-based Photographer, Richard Gaston. As ever, Richard is wide-grinned and open-armed, eager to get into conversation, and the passion towards his craft is palpable from the moment we begin to speak.
03 Oct 2024
Made with Love - Baby's 1st Cashmere
We lavish everything we make with love and a gentle touch - no matter how small. Our dedicated team of three talented artisans apply this principle in our 'mill within the mill' - the Hand Knit department at our Elgin site. We design, knit, finish and hand label each piece in one location, and there's heart in every stitch.