Case Study

Sustainable Living Fabrics

What sets you apart from other textile makers?

For us, the point of difference is that Sustainable Living Fabrics is Australian made with Australian wool. This means we can monitor, develop and understand our supply chain and prioritise transparency across all levels. All of our fabrics are certified carbon neutral. We value supporting local. Not just for the environment but also for the impact it has on our communities. We also pride ourselves on our diverse colours and ranges while simultaneously not compromising on the environmental ethos that we have developed over the last 50 years.

Why did you choose to get GECA certification?

Across all industries, environmental accountability is becoming increasingly prioritised. What appealed to us is that GECA is a not-for-profit organisation and operates by using an independent and transparent system recognised globally as credible and objective. There is still a lot of grey area when it comes to truly sustainable practice so, for us, GECA is a great way to ensure our customers both current and potential can trust that they are making the right choice.

How important is certification to you?

GECA certification is for us, the most effective way for Sustainable Living Fabrics to remain accountable to our commitment to sustainable practices as well as keeping our fabric at the highest quality. Sustainable Living Fabrics has been GECA certified since 2005. It’s a privilege to go beyond the bottom line and take responsibility for our part in caring for the natural environment.

What’s changed for you as a result of either going through the certification process or since achieving GECA certification?

The process of certification really allowed Sustainable Living Fabrics to assess our practices and make changes to meet GECA’s Textiles & Leather standard. It really has been an incredible journey of understanding and minimising our environmental impact. Since achieving certification, our fabrics have been recognised in the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star rating program as Level A when paired with GECA certified Furniture, Fittings and Foam.

What do you think are the biggest sustainability challenges for your industry right now?

The biggest misconception about sustainability is that the options are too expensive, restrictive or not readily available. So, one of the main challenges is breaking this stereotype and shifting the perspective of how we approach and communicate sustainability in design. The reality is that there are so many incredible sustainable businesses thriving and expanding, the options are there, so now it’s about communicating that message and connecting these businesses to these sustainable suppliers.

For us, it’s about our industry prioritising suppliers like us that take the time to ensure their products don’t harm our natural environment, are made to last and support local businesses. The beauty of choosing Sustainable Living Fabrics is that you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics, price or creativity to design sustainably.