Planting trees, our approach to offsetting CO2 emissions
As textile manufacturers, we feel a great responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint. That's why at Blankets of the World we created the We Care programme, a series of actions that allow us to move towards the production of sustainable blankets, rugs and cushions that not only stand out for their boho aesthetics, but also for their commitment to the environment. Before we dive into these measures, we will talk about why textiles, and especially fashion, is one of the most polluting sectors in the world and what we can do in our daily lives to reduce and offset our CO2 emissions. Will you join the change?
Why does the textile industry generate so many CO2 emissions?
According to data from Bezerocarbon.com, the textile industry produces the equivalent of 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 every year. An exorbitant figure, which has a large part of its origin in the consumption habits of Western society and in bad practices in the textile sector. We have normalised buying clothes at very low prices and renewing them almost every season, which feeds an industry with extremely high production levels that are undoubtedly unsustainable for the planet and have devastating social and environmental consequences.
Much of the textile industry manufactures in Asia, particularly in China, India and Bangladesh, countries with huge energy costs, much of which comes from coal-fired power stations. Not to mention the huge water consumption needed to produce each garment and the bad industrial practices that are polluting the world's rivers and oceans. Against this backdrop, textile companies must be more transparent than ever and ensure that every stage of the production process takes steps to have the minimum environmental impact.
How can we reduce our carbon footprint?
The first step to reducing or offsetting our CO2 emissions is to make conscious purchasing decisions:
- Look at the labels: products made from recycled materials significantly reduce our carbon footprint. Organic cotton is also a good option for reducing CO2 emissions, but it is worth noting that it requires large amounts of water to produce.
- Opt for ethical brands: nowadays there are different labels to identify environmentally friendly brands.
- Buy second-hand: this is undoubtedly the most sustainable option. Nowadays there are many possibilities to give a second life to clothes and accessories, from vintage shops and flea markets to online clothing exchange options.
- Choose proximity: transport also generates a lot of CO2 emissions, so it is advisable to prioritise local products.
- Discover brands with social or environmental projects: being sustainable is no longer enough. We can make our purchasing decisions have a positive impact on people and the environment by choosing companies with ethical projects.
Planting trees to offset Co2 emissions
At Blankets of the World we are committed to reducing and offsetting the CO2 emissions resulting from our activities. These are all part of the We care programme which is summarised in the following actions:
- Plant trees for every product sold: we want to contribute to the reforestation of the planet to compensate for the CO2 derived from our activity. Therefore, we collaborate with Tree Nation to expand forests and improve the living conditions of different communities in the area. For every blanket, cushion or rug you buy in our online shop we plant a tree and contribute to the growth of our forest.
- 100% recycled materials: thanks to the use of 100% recycled materials we reduce the generation of waste (and the CO2 emissions derived from the burning of these), we avoid pollution from the use of pesticides and we reduce the consumption of water and energy derived from the cultivation of conventional textile fibres. This is our major commitment to the environment.
- Sustainable packaging: Making our packaging 100% environmentally friendly is our next challenge. We currently use reusable cardboard and other paper derivatives to minimise the use of plastic.
- Local household accessories: 90% of our products are made in Europe to reduce transport costs and we are aiming for 100%.
Now that you know our We care programme, would you like to decorate your spaces with sustainable accessories? Discover the boho decoration trends for 2023 and dress up your home with blankets, rugs and cushions with personality.
