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SUSTAINABILITY & ETHICS POLICY

Page Updated (effective date): 9 October 2025
Operated by Steven Patrick Sim t/a The Tartan Artisan®
Governing Law: Scotland | Framework: UK Environmental & Consumer Legislation

 

 

1. Purpose of This Policy

At The Tartan Artisan®, sustainability is woven into every decision — from the sourcing of tartan cloth to the fine-art papers used for limited editions.
This policy explains how we operate ethically, reduce environmental impact, and uphold responsible practices through every creative, manufacturing, and fulfilment process.

 

 

2. Our Guiding Principles

We believe that true craftsmanship honours both people and planet.
Our core principles are:

  • Integrity: Create responsibly and honestly.

  • Respect: Value the human and environmental story behind each piece.

  • Transparency: Communicate openly about materials, partners, and processes.

  • Longevity: Make products that last, reducing the need for replacement and waste.

These values underpin all operations of The Tartan Artisan®, including our partnerships with theprintspace, Contrado Imaging Ltd, Lochcarron of Scotland, Marton Mills, and Glenisla Kilts — each recognised for their commitment to sustainability, renewable energy use, and fair labour practice.

 

 

3. Environmental Commitments

a. Low-Waste Production

  • We produce in small batches or on demand, minimising surplus and landfill waste.

  • Fabric remnants from kilt production are repurposed or donated where possible.

  • Our fine-art prints are only produced when ordered — no bulk printing, no stock waste.

b. Sustainable Materials

  • All fine-art prints are produced on archival papers certified by FSC® or equivalent.

  • Kilts and accessories are tailored from pure new wool woven by trusted mills — including Lochcarron of Scotland for The Angels’ Share® collection and Marton Mills in England for the North Sea Oil® and Earthrise® ranges — each committed to sustainable textile practices. Lochcarron of Scotland is a Living Wage employer, operating with solar power, LED lighting, and plastic‑free packaging. Marton Mills operates under an Ethical Policy with waste recycling, solar energy, ISO 9001 quality standards, and Oeko‑Tex® compliant yarns.

  • Print-on-demand fabrics and accessories from Contrado use eco-certified water-based inks and vegan-friendly materials.

c. Eco Packaging

  • For in-house studio orders, I prioritise recycled and low-waste packaging wherever possible—using kraft paper, biodegradable materials, or reused packaging as available. With our recent focus on made-to-order fulfilment, overall packaging volume per order has been greatly reduced.

  • theprintspace uses plastic-free packaging made from recycled materials.

  • Contrado operates print-to-order manufacturing to reduce packaging waste and energy use.

d. Energy & Carbon

  • Our studio operations prioritise energy efficiency and digital correspondence.

  • theprintspace is a carbon-neutral company, certified by The Planet Mark™, offsetting emissions through verified global projects.

  • Contrado’s manufacturing facilities in London are powered by renewable energy, with ongoing monitoring of CO₂ output per product.

 

 

4. Ethical Manufacturing & Labour Standards

We are committed to ensuring that all goods produced under The Tartan Artisan® name meet high ethical standards:

  • No forced, child, or exploitative labour is used in any part of our supply chain.

  • Partners such as Glenisla Kilts, Lochcarron of Scotland, Marton Mills, and Contrado maintain fair pay and safe working environments.

  • theprintspace and Contrado publish modern slavery statements in line with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

  • Lochcarron of Scotland and Marton Mills both uphold UK labour and sustainability standards, including Living Wage accreditation and ISO/Oeko‑Tex® compliance.

  • Every artisan or manufacturer is treated with dignity, respect, and fair compensation.

 

 

5. Responsible Sourcing

Wherever possible, materials are sourced locally or regionally to reduce transportation impact:

  • Tartan & Wool: woven by Scottish and British mills with transparent supply chains.

  • Paper & Printing: UK- or EU-sourced from FSC® certified suppliers.

  • Packaging: obtained from UK-based suppliers using recycled content.

We carefully vet partners to ensure alignment with our sustainability goals.

 

 

6. Circular Design & Longevity

We design for durability and heirloom value.
Our kilts, artworks, and textiles are created to last for generations — promoting buy less, choose well, and cherish always.
Customers are encouraged to repair, reuse, or rehome items rather than discard them.

 

 

7. Digital Responsibility

We maintain an ethical digital presence by:

  • Minimising digital carbon footprint via efficient hosting and image optimisation.

  • Avoiding intrusive advertising or data-harvesting practices.

  • Using sustainable platforms — including Shopify’s renewable-energy-powered data centres.

 

 

8. Community & Cultural Responsibility

As a designer inspired by Scotland’s heritage, Steven Patrick Sim aims to:

  • Support Scottish craftsmanship, mills, and local creative industries.

  • Promote cultural appreciation rather than appropriation of traditional designs.

  • Donate time and resources to educational or cultural initiatives where possible.

  • Share stories that connect Scotland’s traditions with global sustainability movements.

 

 

9. Partner Transparency

a. theprintspace (Print Space Studios Limited)

  • Carbon neutral since 2019, offsetting 100% of its operational emissions.

  • Uses recyclable packaging, FSC® papers, and water-based inks.

  • Offsets shipping emissions through verified international climate projects.

  • Full sustainability statement: www.theprintspace.co.uk/sustainability

b. Contrado Imaging Ltd

  • UK-based production (London).

  • Print-to-order model avoids mass production and waste.

  • Uses eco inks, vegan leather, and zero animal-derived glues.

  • Operates fair-pay principles for all staff and partners.

  • Full statement: www.contrado.co.uk/sustainability

c. Glenisla Kilts

  • Local Scottish partnership for traditional garment craftsmanship.

  • Focus on small-scale, ethical production using long-lasting natural fibres.

  • Ensures fair working conditions for all tailors and apprentices.

d. Lochcarron of Scotland

  • Living Wage employer and long-standing Scottish mill using renewable energy.

  • Committed to solar energy, LED lighting, and plastic‑free packaging.

  • Actively reduces carbon footprint through energy-efficient dyeing and manufacturing.

e. Marton Mills Co. Ltd (England)

  • Operates under an Ethical Policy covering renewable energy and waste recycling.

  • ISO 9001 certified and Oeko‑Tex® compliant yarn standards.

  • Uses solar panels to supply renewable energy to the mill.

  • Full policy: www.martonmills.com/sustainability-marton-mills-co-ltd

 

 

10. Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is a journey.
We monitor our environmental and social impact annually and seek continual improvements in materials, packaging, and logistics.
Customer suggestions are always welcome — sustainability thrives through shared accountability.

 

 

11. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Compliance

Effective October 2025, The Tartan Artisan® complies with the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging, which require producers and suppliers to bear financial responsibility for the end-of-life management of packaging materials they place on the market.

We meet applicable thresholds for turnover and packaging volumes, and as such, we commit to:

  • Submitting biannual detailed reports on the type, weight, and recyclability of packaging supplied.
  • Funding the full net costs of collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal of packaging waste as mandated.
  • Accounting for modulated fees reflecting the recyclability of different packaging materials, with higher charges on hard-to-recycle packaging to encourage sustainable design.
  • Continuously seeking innovations in packaging materials, aiming to reduce waste and increase recyclability and compostability.
  • Maintaining full transparency and regulatory compliance with all reporting, audit, and disclosure requirements.

This transformative legislation shifts responsibility from local authorities to producers, incentivising environmental stewardship and resource efficiency throughout our product lifecycle.

The charges we incur under EPR contribute to UK recycling infrastructure and waste management costs, ensuring a more sustainable circular economy.

We invite our customers and partners to engage with us in this journey toward greener practices and invite questions or feedback to our Sustainability Office below.

 

 

12. Reporting & Contact

If you have questions or wish to raise concerns about our environmental or ethical practices, please contact:

Sustainability Office
The Tartan Artisan® Studio, Arbroath, Scotland
✉ enquiries@thetartanartisan.com

We review and respond to all correspondence in good faith.

 

 

13. Updates to This Policy

We regularly review and update this policy to reflect legal changes, improvements in sustainable practice, and evolving partner commitments.
The latest version will always be dated at the top of this page.

 

 

End of Sustainability & Ethics Policy

(This policy forms part of The Tartan Artisan® Legal Framework and applies to all domains including TARTAN250 and Tartan.LOVE.)