PLANET

Our Fabrics

• Deadstock Fabrics

  Deadstock fabrics are essentially leftovers. They are the result of a broken fashion system where brands over order fabrics, or textile mills over produce.
  
  While we use some deadstock in our collections, we recognise that there are many imperfections with this system. For example when purchasing fabric second-hand there is little to no supply chain traceability. This means that deadstock fabrics are rarely certified for ethical or organic production and when using them we cannot be sure of the chemical and environmental impact of the production process.
  
  Although an imperfect system, our decision to use small amounts of deadstock stems from our desire to repurpose this excess fabric, helping to divert it from ending up in landfill.
  
  The deadstock industry is a byproduct of the broken 'take-make-waste' model. Until this model is changed (something we are a vocal part of), we believe that repurposing deadstock is making the best of a broken system.
  
  We will continue to educate our community and industry peers around this issue with the hope that, in time, deadstock fabric will exist only in very small quantities from fully traceable supply chains.

• ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon

  We source our regenerated nylon from a company called ECONYL® who divert nylon waste from landfills and oceans around the world and transforms it into ECONYL® regenerated nylon. It is exactly the same as brand new nylon and can be recycled, recreated and remoulded again and again, which means that we can create new products without having to use new resources.
  
  It is important to note that synthetic fibres - recycled or otherwise - release tiny particles called microplastics into our waterways when washed so we always recommend washing them using a Guppy Bag.

• Ethical, Non-Mulesed Wool

  Mulesing is the procedure of removing strips of wool bearing skin from around sheep's buttocks in an attempt to prevent flystrike. We strongly disagree with this procedure and only use wool from ethically farmed, non-mulesed sheep.
  
  From October 1st 2018, New Zealand legally banned the practice of mulesing, something we believe should be made a global standard.
  
  Wool itself is a very strong and resilient fibre that has the ability to be both recycled and composted when it reaches the end of its life. Wool also uses significantly less energy during its production than manufacturing man-made fibres.
  
  We are currently in conversation with New Zealand organisations around regenerative agriculture on how we can support our farmers in making the transition to regenerative farming practices.

• Linen

  We only source European Flax® certified Linen: The EUROPEAN FLAX® label certifies traceability at every step of processing, produced exclusively in France, Belgium, or the Netherlands.
  
  The EUROPEAN FLAX® Charter, signed by all the Flax producers, guarantees local farming that respects the environment and commits to zero irrigation, zero GMO, and zero waste. Fibre extraction (scutching) is 100% mechanical meaning zero chemicals are used in the process.
  
  All work is done in compliance with the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights, pursuing its founding mission that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace.
  
  Linen is made from the fibres of flax plants which are very resilient and can grow in poor soil, often without the need for pesticides or fertilisers. The production of flax also uses far less water in comparison to cotton.

• Organic Cotton

  Organic cotton is grown from non-genetically modified seeds, without the use of toxic fertilisers or pesticides which not only pose detrimental health risks to farmers and local communities but also play a detrimental role in the degradation of our soils.
  
  Removing pesticides is essential to addressing climate change, increasing biodiversity and safeguarding human health. With an estimated third of the world's soil already degraded, we must do our part in supporting its regeneration

• Post-Consumer Waste Recycled Polyester

  We do not use any virgin polyester in our collections and instead only use certified post-consumer waste recycled polyester and small amounts of repurposed polyester from deadstock fabric.
  
  Recycled polyester is made from PET, the same plastic that is used for water bottles or in many cases the literal plastic from old water bottles. Through diverting these plastics from ending up in landfills or removing them from our oceans, they are able to be shredded and recycled into a polyester yarn that we can then use to make clothing.
  
  Utilising these already existing materials means that no new fossil fuels are extracted and it is possible to recycle them over and over again. Recycled polyester also uses significantly less energy during production than virgin polyester.
  
  Ensuring recycled polyester is certified post-consumer waste is a key element to ensure that it is not coming from plastic produced purely to be recycled.

• Tencel™

  Tencel™ is a brand name for a type of lyocell, produced by a company in Austria, Lenzing.
  
  Tencel™ is a cellulose fibre which is made by dissolving sustainably sourced wood pulp and using a drying process called spinning. Before it is dried, wood chips are mixed with a solvent to produce a wet mixture. The mixture is then pushed through small holes to form threads, which are then chemically treated and the lengths of fibre are spun into yarn and woven into cloth.
  
  Lenzing uses a closed loop production process where the process water is recycled and the solvent reused at a recovery of more than 99%.
  
  As a natural fibre, Tencel™ is comfortable, breathable and incredibly soft on the skin. It also requires less energy and water in its production process than cotton. Finally, Tencel™ is compostable at the end of it's life.

Fibre and Fabric Certifications

• Global Organic Textile Standard

  The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres which takes into account every step in the supply chain.
  
  The standard aims to define worldwide recognised requirements that ensure the ecological status of textiles, from the harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing, up to labelling, to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.
  
  Find out more.

• OEKO-TEX®

  The aim for OEKO-TEX® is to ensure safety from harmful chemicals from a consumer point of view.
  
  It is easy to forget about the fabrics we wear, and the horrific effect that harmful chemicals can have on the skin. Extensive product checks and regular company on-site visits ensure that the industry has a globally sustainable awareness of the responsible use of chemicals.
  
  With this concept, the OEKO-TEX® Standard has taken on a pioneering role for many years. With the OEKO-TEX® certification the Maggie Marilyn customer can be certain of the safety of their clothing.

• Bluesign

  Bluesign is a holistic system that provides solutions in sustainable processing and manufacturing.
  
  Based on strict criteria, to support the company specifically in its sustainable development. Bluesign checks the progress that a company has made in this effort and provides continual further development of solutions.
  
  Under the strict Bluesign criteria, manufacturers are required to act responsibly and sustainably with regard to people, the environment and ensure consistent transparency and traceability of all processing steps.
  
  Find out more.

• Responsible Wool Standard

  The Responsible Wool Standard is an independent, voluntary global standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and of the land they graze on.
  
  On farms, the certification ensures that sheep are treated with respect to their Five Freedoms and also ensures best practices in the management and protection of the land.
  
  Through the processing stages, certification ensures that wool from certified farms is properly identified and tracked.
  
  Find out more.

• ZQ

  ZQ is an established grower standard, owned and operated by The New Zealand Merino Company Ltd.
  
  ZQ certified wool guarantees sustainably farmed, ethical, quality wool. Not only world-class quality fibre, but the quality of life. They care about the quality of life for their animals, their land, air and water, and their families. ZQ assures that sheep are humanely treated, well fed, live natural and healthy lives and are not subjected to mulesing.
  
  All ZQ farmers create a Land Environmental Plan to manage the impacts relative to their individual farm. Farmers are also connected to the brands that buy their wool and all bales are tested and sampled to ensure quality and that brand specifications are met.
  
  ZQ supports the safety of those living, working and visiting ZQ farms and promotes safe and healthy workplaces, fair wages, and ensures farmers have access to income stability.
  
  Find out more.

• Global Recycle Standard

  Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certification ensures that our recycled polyester is verified post-consumer waste, and that it wasn't produced solely to be recycled. Furthermore, GRS also ensures that responsible social, environmental and chemical practices are upheld throughout production.
  
  The objectives of the GRS are to guarantee good working conditions, and that harmful chemical and ecological impacts are significantly reduced. This includes companies in growing, spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing and stitching. Each stage of production is required to be certified, beginning at the recycling stage and resulting in the end product.
  
  GRS is a certification created by The Textile Exchange. The Textile Exchange's mission is to accelerate sustainable practices in the textile industry. This acceleration only happens when steps have been taken to ensure that actions that are taken toward sustainability result in real and meaningful change.
  
  Find out more.

Our Policies

• Global Organic Textile Standard

  The misuse of chemicals within the fashion industry has caused huge damage to local environments, especially waterways and has inflicted significant negative health impacts on those working with them.
  
  A 2012 study estimates that up to 20 percent of all industrial water pollution is from the dyeing and finishing of textiles.
  
  We are restricting the use of hazardous chemicals in our supply chain by monitoring our textile production processes.
  
  We comply with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) monitored restricted substances list (MRSL) to ensure the zero use of legally banned chemicals and restricted use of potentially harmful substances in our clothing.
  
  Many of our suppliers share our commitment and hold third party certifications around responsible water and chemical use. These organisations such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX® and Bluesign certify the restriction of hazardous chemicals.
  
  As of the end of 2020 all our virgin sourced fabrics are certified by at least one reputable chemical management certification body.
  
  For all of our suppliers, including those who are not third-party certified, we require them to be signed up to our Supplier Code of Conduct which includes parameters around the responsible use of chemicals and water management.
  
  

• Water Policy

  At Maggie Marilyn we take responsibility for the impact of our business operations on the health and well being of people and our planet. The use of freshwater is an inevitable part of producing clothes but its use should not cause any harm.
  
  The use of freshwater in the fashion industry is very complex due to the huge variance in accessibility, quality, and management of this resource globally and the volumes of water required, and the farming method used, to produce the raw fibres.
  
  There are three main considerations for us when we evaluate the use of freshwater in our supply chain:
  
  

  1. Extraction - where is water being extracted from and what is the impact of that;
  2. Usage - what steps are taken to ensure the most efficient use of water; and,
  3. Discharge - what is the quality of any discharged water and where is it discharged.

  As part of our commitment to becoming a circular and regenerative business we intend for our impact on freshwater to be restorative. This means that we will work with each level of our supply chain to help improve the quality of any waterways we are associated with. We understand the complexity of this goal however freshwater is an essential human right that we must ensure is protected, and the historical damage to waterways the fashion industry is responsible for must be repaired.
  
  Further to this Goal 6 of the United Nations SDGs 'Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all', is one of the SDGs we have committed to helping achieve.
  
  We have invested a significant amount of time in informing ourselves about the use of freshwater in our supply chain and the fashion industry at large, however we understand that we still have more to learn. This policy is written based on our knowledge at this time and it will evolve as we continue to learn.
  
  We are committed to ensuring that:
  
  All of our suppliers have an environmental policy that includes targets and procedures to maximise their water efficiency, and ensure no negative environmental impacts from the withdrawl or discharge of water;
  
  All wet processing units we work with keep full records of the use of chemicals, energy, water consumption and wastewater treatment, including the disposal of sludge. And the wastewater from all wet processing units must be treated in a functional wastewater treatment plant.
  
  Research is undertaken on the local freshwater situation of all new suppliers;
  
  We partner with suppliers on finding new technologies / processes such as waterless dying;
  
  We educate our customers on the freshwater issues the global community faces and how they can care for their clothes to conserve water;
  
  We prioritise working with growers who follow regenerative agricultural practices;
  
  Continually improving our knowledge and understanding of freshwater usage in fashion is a priority.
  
  

Wear and Tear

Much of the wear and tear that our clothing faces is from over washing. Read through the tips below for some alternatives to your normal wash cycle.