Sustainability

Sustainability

Last updated: August 2026

At Orvano, we believe that building a premium fashion brand and caring for the planet are not mutually exclusive. Sustainability is not a marketing exercise for us — it is an ongoing commitment that shapes how we source, package, and deliver our products. This page outlines where we stand today and where we are headed.

1. Our Approach

We are a small, independently operated business, and we are honest about the fact that our sustainability journey is still in its early stages. Rather than making claims we cannot substantiate, we prefer to be transparent about what we are currently doing, what we are working towards, and where we still have room to improve.

Our sustainability focus is structured around three pillars:

  • 📦 Packaging — reducing waste and eliminating unnecessary plastics
  • 🚚 Transportation — minimising the carbon footprint of our deliveries
  • 🧵 Raw Materials & Sourcing — working towards more responsible supply chains

2. Packaging

Packaging is one of the most visible environmental impacts of e-commerce, and it is an area we take seriously.

What we currently do:

  • We use minimal packaging — orders are packed efficiently to reduce excess material and void fill.
  • Where possible, we use recyclable outer packaging including cardboard mailers and paper-based void fill in place of bubble wrap or polystyrene.
  • We avoid unnecessary branded inserts, tissue paper, and single-use plastics where they serve no protective function.

What we are working towards:

  • Transitioning to 100% plastic-free packaging across all order types by 2027.
  • Introducing compostable poly mailers for soft goods such as T-shirts and hoodies.
  • Exploring FSC-certified or recycled-content cardboard for all outer packaging.

3. Transportation & Shipping

Shipping is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in e-commerce. We are committed to reducing our delivery footprint over time.

What we currently do:

  • We consolidate orders where possible to reduce the number of individual shipments.
  • We work with established carrier networks that have published their own emissions reduction targets.
  • We do not offer unnecessary expedited shipping options that increase per-parcel emissions.

What we are working towards:

  • Partnering with carriers that offer carbon-neutral or carbon-offset delivery options for UK and international shipments.
  • Exploring last-mile delivery consolidation to reduce the number of delivery vehicles per route.
  • Offering customers the option to offset the carbon footprint of their delivery at checkout.

4. Raw Materials & Sourcing

The fashion industry is one of the world's most resource-intensive sectors. We are committed to making more responsible sourcing decisions as our business grows.

What we currently do:

  • We source products from suppliers who are subject to their own compliance and ethical trading obligations.
  • We prioritise quality over quantity — our curated catalogue is intentionally small to reduce overproduction and unsold stock.
  • We do not engage in fast-fashion practices such as weekly product drops or trend-chasing at the expense of quality.

What we are working towards:

  • Introducing a formal Supplier Code of Conduct that includes environmental standards alongside labour standards.
  • Prioritising suppliers who use certified sustainable materials such as organic cotton (GOTS), recycled polyester (GRS), or responsibly sourced wool (RWS).
  • Reducing the proportion of virgin synthetic fibres in our product range over time.
  • Working towards greater supply chain transparency, including publishing information about the countries and facilities where our products are made.

5. Certifications & Initiatives

We are honest that, as a small and growing business, we do not yet hold formal third-party sustainability certifications. Achieving recognised certifications is a medium-term goal as we formalise our supply chain relationships and grow our team.

Certifications we are working towards:

  • B Corp Certification — a globally recognised standard for businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
  • GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) — for products containing organic natural fibres.
  • GRS (Global Recycled Standard) — for products made from recycled materials.

Initiatives we support:

  • We are committed to the principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).
  • We support the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's vision for a circular economy in fashion and aim to incorporate circular design principles into our product selection over time.

6. Waste & Returns

Returned items represent a significant source of waste in e-commerce. We are committed to ensuring that returned goods are not sent to landfill.

  • All returned items that pass our quality inspection are restocked and resold.
  • Items that cannot be resold due to minor defects are assessed for donation or responsible disposal rather than landfill.
  • We are exploring partnerships with textile recycling organisations for end-of-life garment handling.

7. Our Commitment to Honesty

We are aware that greenwashing — making exaggerated or unsubstantiated environmental claims — is a serious issue in the fashion industry. We are committed to only making claims we can back up, being transparent about our limitations, and updating this page as our practices evolve.

If you have questions about our sustainability practices, or suggestions for how we can do better, we genuinely want to hear from you.

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This page will be reviewed and updated at least annually as our sustainability programme develops.