The brand has grown to become one of Cornwall’s largest employers, operating over 60 shops across the UK and Ireland. The company maintains a commitment to ethical supply chain management, reflected in its membership with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) since 2018 and the requirement for all Tier 1 suppliers to engage with the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX).
The company’s Tier 1 suppliers, who are responsible for producing the finished products, are located in various countries including India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka, and Slovakia. These suppliers are mandated to undergo semi-announced or unannounced audits at least every two years. Seasalt’s supply chain transparency is further supported by making its Tier 1 supplier list publicly available on the Open Supply Hub.
As of 2024, they have managed to risk assess 78% of their Tier 2 suppliers as well, aiming for above 90%. Additionally, Seasalt conducts various charitable activities and supports community engagement by offering employees up to one day of paid leave annually to volunteer for charitable causes.
Seasalt Cornwall uses GOTS certified organic cotton, ensuring rigorous ecological and social standards are met throughout production. The brand’s founders were pivotal in developing standards for Soil Association organic cotton, positioning Seasalt as a pioneer in sustainable fashion. This has led Seasalt to become one of the UK’s largest sellers of organic cotton.
Their wool is sourced in line with the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which ensures sustainable farming practices. The leather used in Seasalt’s products comes from tanneries rated Gold or Silver by the Leather Working Group (LWG), which promotes better environmental practices in the industry. Additionally, the brand incorporates comparatively sustainable fibres like TENCEL Lyocell and Modal, processed in closed-loop systems that minimize environmental impact. They also use LENZING ECOVERO, a sustainable alternative to traditional viscose, along with other materials such as ramie, linen, and bamboo-derived viscose.
The brand also uses innovative recycled materials like Tide Cycle, crafted from used plastic bottles, alongside products made from EVA and FSC certified paper. Seasalt is actively working towards Carbon Net Zero by 2040, highlighted by their Norwich shop, which operates with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
Seasalt Cornwall actively promotes circular fashion through its partnership with Reskinned, an initiative that allows customers to trade in their pre-loved Seasalt garments. This program incentivizes recycling by offering customers up to £25 off new purchases, and ensures that the traded items are given a new lease of life, preventing them from ending up in landfill.
Additionally, Seasalt accepts non-Seasalt items for recycling, though these do not qualify for a discount. All profits from the resale of Seasalt garments on the Reskinned platform are channeled into Seasalt’s sustainability, charity, and community initiatives under their Doing Good Things program.
Seasalt Cornwall, headquartered in the UK, has a widely distributed Tier 1 supply chain across continents including Asia, Europe, and Africa. This indicates a complex and extensive network that likely extends even further through Tier 2 to Tier 4 suppliers, though specific details on these additional tiers and transportation methods remain undisclosed. Further information on these aspects is essential to fully assess the environmental impact of their global operations.
Seasalt Cornwall uses animal-derived materials responsibly. Their leather is a by-product of the food industry, sourced from humanely slaughtered animals. They also use wool certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which ensures ethical treatment of animals and sustainable farming practices.
Seasalt Cornwall originated in Penzance in 1981, emerging from a shop that catered to the practical needs of local farmers, fishermen, and artists. Evolving from these roots, Seasalt has developed a design ethos centred around creating beautiful, useful clothing meant to last beyond the changing tides of fashion trends. The brand emphasizes durability and timeless appeal, which has cultivated a loyal customer base that values both style and sustainability.
While Seasalt encourages a culture of longevity through their “MAKE, MEND, RECYCLE” initiative, fostering a community where customers can share ideas and techniques for extending the life of their garments, they currently do not offer repair services themselves. However, they do provide detailed care tips and blogs to help customers care for, wear, and repair their clothes based on the materials used. This approach underscores their commitment to sustainability, not just as a brand but as a community.
Seasalt Cornwall is transparent about its sustainability goals and progress, providing detailed online reports that include emissions data across scopes 1, 2, and 3, as well as updates on material targets. However, they could improve detailed transparency in areas such as the types of materials used, especially the specifics of material blends versus monomaterials, which affects recyclability. Details on packaging and transportation methods are also lacking.
Conclusion
Seasalt Cornwall has firmly established itself as a leader in sustainable fashion, rooted in a rich history that blends traditional styles with modern ethical practices. Their commitment to environmental stewardship is evident through transparent reporting of their sustainability goals and progress, though there are areas where further transparency could enhance their impact. With a strong emphasis on community and a MAKE, MEND, RECYCLE ethos, Seasalt encourages consumers to engage in sustainable fashion practices actively. We at COSH! recommend Seasalt Cornwall for consumers who value both style and sustainability. Their products are available at the points of sale listed below.
