Putting Policy into Practice
Many organisations have wonderful sounding ethical statements. But, often, once you scratch beneath the surface there is little of any substance. Harlands is different. The details below illustrate the specific actions we are taking to put our policy into practice. We are proud to be one of the first upholsterers in the UK to produce ethical, earth-friendly furniture:
- The materials we use for our upholstery are environmentally friendly. We use natural and organic materials that comply with The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 without the use of chemical flame retardants.
- The materials we use include organic cotton, organic hemp and organic wool from a sustainable source, harvested without harm or cruelty to the living animal.
- All the fabrics we use are biodegradable and the dyes are non-toxic and have a low impact on the environment.
- All the woods in our furniture are recycled or sustainable, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified and formaldehyde-free.
- We use non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, water-based glues and our wood finishes are non-toxic, polyurethane-free and environmentally friendly.
- We don't use leather in our products; we do not consider 55% of an animal to be a by-product and it may have been produced in a country which fails to follow animal welfare laws. The chemicals used in tanning are highly toxic to those working in the factories and living nearby.
- We only work with peace silk, where the moth has been able to mature and leave the cocoon to complete its natural life cycle.
- Instead of using feather down, we use organic wool balls.
- We are committed to working with suppliers who, like ourselves, have an ethical policy regarding their workers. This ensures that all the workers within the supply chain receive a fair wage and work in a healthy and safe environment.
- We are concerned about animal welfare. We only work with suppliers who can guarantee that all the animals which provide us with wool and hair are treated humanely.
- All our wool comes from the UK, as we believe in supporting British organic farmers
- For each sofa and chair we produce a tree will be planted by plantyourtree.co.uk.
- All of our textile waste is recycled by designer-maker Sarah Baulch at revampit.co.uk who makes pre-consumer waste textiles into gorgeous home furnishings.