Workplace wellbeing: Free bikes for employees from the local re-cycle-ed scheme – where old bikes are fixed and companies can buy them for reduced rates. Free bus cards are provided for employees. Local organic products are available at Rapanui’s store out front of the office where they get a 40% staff discount. Flexible working conditions are in place to encourage work life balance. Sport is encouraged with a football, cricket, triathlon and surfing team. If staff leave they are actively assisted in finding new work or put in touch with useful contacts in their fields. Male and female parity – 5 women, 6 men, two disabled staff and two local mentally disabled individuals with work experience. Three young people following apprenticeship schemes.
Education & information: All certifications are listed on the site and information about them is easily available to the visitor. There is a specific page on fair & ethical labour. Customers can find out in store now too - via QR codes on the swing tickets of the products: www.rapanuiclothing.com/ethical-fashion
Supply chain: 100% of suppliers are audited and certified by the Fairwear foundation (www.fairwear.org) or Fair Trade/Max Haavelar.
CSR: Rapanui supports different charities like leonard cheschire disability (www.lcdisability.org) and organises charity beach cleans with disadvandtaged children.
Investment in local communities: Local suppliers and contracters are used as much as is logistically possible.
Transparence & traceability: The company website provides a full page on the traceability of all products. Every aspect of the product lifecycle and supply chain can be investigated through the Rapanui website - from the sowing of the seeds to the product being dispatched: http://www.rapanuiclothing.com/ethical-fashion/traceability-clothing.html
Environmental site management: Use of renewable energy (wind power): Offices and warehouse supplied by Good Energy: http://www.goodenergy.co.uk/ . Policy of sustainable procurement. Staff is trained on climate & environmental issues.
Education & information: Rapanui has developped an eco-labelling system for clothing that sums up the general eco friendliness of the product for customers to make an informed choice.A specific page on the website explains the impact of washing & drying in clothing - which represents up to 50% of the total impact of clothing, and is post purchase.http://www.rapanuiclothing.com/eco/washing-drying-clothing-carbon.html.
Supply Chain (Subcontractor & supplier) : 100% of suppliers are certified ISO14001, OekoTex, and Soil Association . Renewable energy powered 100% wholesale power purchase arrangement of wind energy and local waste management
GHG emissions: Rapanui has calculated the carbon footprint of its clothing. Between 2009 & 2010 this has been reduced by 90%.Scope of the study is transport and manufacture of the product itself and does not include staff transport. All datas are available here : http://www.rapanuiclothing.com/eco/rapanui_carbon-calcs.pdf. Carbon reductions were achieved via shipping rather then airfreight and recycled bio fuel for local deliveries (recycled used cooking oils). The company uses a carbon compensated warehousing facility in London
Environmental commitments: Rapanui supports the Marine Conservation society (www.mcsuk.org) 50% of profits from the sales of its MCS t-shirts which represents 10% of total sales.
Durability: Product design is made to outlast trend and to be fashionable as a classic piece.
Eco design process: Rapanui was awarded the Sustainable Business Awards for products and Traceability iniatives and a Finals place at The RSPCA (www.rspca.org.uk/home) good business awards.All products have been evaluated on their product life cycle through a carbon footprint analysis or life cycle analysis. 100% of products are eco-designed. Research and development program which investigates new raw materials and is working with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation on some products which fit within a circular economy, technical jackets and insulation which will be made from recycled PET.
Product life cycle: 100% of products are made of either organic cotton, hemp or bamboo.
End of life & recycling: All products are clearly labelled as recyclable, customers can send in their old garments for composting or repairing. The customer has a financial incentive (store voucher) to return products at the end of life. Rapanui is working a C2C (Cradle to Cradle: http://www.c2ccertified.org/) programme for new products with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Packaging & logistics: Rapanui operates a no airfreight policy.Packaging is made of oxo-biodegradable & recyclable bioethene: http://www.biothene.co.uk
