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Our Approach to Sustainability

Natural fibre fabrics, from certified mills.

Made with care in Portugal by people we really know.

Quality over quantity.

 

portugal factory sustainable fashion

 It's easy to think of sustainability as a static goal, but it isn’t. Being ‘sustainable’ is an ever-moving target, one that requires constant research and re-evaluation to achieve. But to give ourselves the best footing, we’ve built Hamilton and Hare around a few key principles, so that the goal of sustainability can be central to everything we do, rather than being tacked on as an afterthought. Placing sustainability at the core of our business, from the supply chain, to manufacture, to transport and packaging, is the surest way of getting closer to our aims.

Our Priorities:

Using natural fibre fabrics

 If it came from the earth, it can go back to the earth.
When we’re talking about sustainable textiles, it’s as simple as that. There are complex mechanical and chemical processes available to recycle synthetic fibres, but by using natural fabrics this needn’t even be a consideration. 98% of the fabrics we use are made from sustainably sourced natural fibres, and the advantages of this are countless. Natural fabrics are superior to synthetics in terms of quality and feel against the skin, which we think is essential for underwear. By contrast, the majority of the men’s underwear market employs the use of cheap synthetic textiles derived from petrochemicals, such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex. These materials are highly engineered, don’t biodegrade, and leach harmful plastic microfibres into the water supply when washed. 

 

Using sustainably-sourced cotton

Cotton is sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable, making it a natural choice for 70% of our collection.
However, this doesn’t mean the cotton industry is without its issues. The sector routinely comes under scrutiny for worker exploitation and use of harmful pesticides, something that desperately needs to change. All our cotton suppliers subscribe to the Better Cotton Initiative, a global not-for-profit organisation that aims to regulate the industry and promote better cotton production. The Better Cotton Initiative provides farmer training programmes that reduce water consumption, promote biodiversity, and helps growers to use their land responsibly. It also works to improve working conditions and wages across the industry.

 

A transparent supply chain

All our clothing is made in Portugal in small-scale, family-run factories and certified mills.
We have a close relationship with all of them, and we really do know who made our clothes. We visit our factories regularly to ensure the best working conditions, minimal waste, and an excellent quality product.

 
  
It’s these principles that allow us to stand apart from the rest of the underwear market, a sector that’s dominated by the mass-produced, fast fashion approach.

We believe in investing in quality, caring for the things we buy, and keeping them for a long time.

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