Beyond thoughtful design and choosing to work with natural fibres, we consider the impact of all of our business practices on our community and environment.
We exercise responsible purchasing practices, and through careful calculations, aim to only put into manufacture what we expect to sell, with a target that 10% of our garments end up on markdown.
We see the traditional sale model as a failure, which is why we created our Choose What You Pay Campaigns, turning an oversupply issue into an opportunity to fundraise for worthy causes.
Read more about Choose What You Pay, here.
At Assembly Label, we fundamentally reject the linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model that drives over-production and landfill waste. As a business practice, Assembly Label does not send any products to landfill. Through thoughtful product design, responsible inventory management and considered packaging, we work to minimise waste and maintain the highest standards of responsible business practice.
Extending the lifecycle of our products.
RE-WORN
We’re proud to introduce Re-Worn, our take-back program designed to extend the life of Assembly Label clothing and support a circular economy.
Return
Re-Worn allows you to return your gently-used Assembly Label garments that are no longer in wear. All of our stores will accept these pieces.
Repair
After careful inspection, laundering and, if required, repair, the pieces become part of the Re-Worn collection available to shop here in our Fitzroy store.
Recycle
Anything deemed beyond repair will be recycled through our recycling partner, SCR Group.
Repair & Recycle Service
We are continuously working to reduce our carbon footprint, and are in the process of attaining carbon-neutral certification. Currently, we are offsetting our carbon emissions in the following ways:
Repair
We are proud to offer a repair service from our retail stores. Should one of your Assembly Label garments lose a button, have a loose thread or a pulled seam, we will gladly have this professionally mended, free of charge. Naturally, if a customer returns a faulty garment that can’t be repaired, we will provide a refund, store credit or exchange. For advice on how to best care for and extend the life of your Assembly Label clothing, please read through our Fabric Care Guides.
Recycle
If a product cannot be repaired or passed on, we also offer a recycling service. Our recycling partner SCR Group collects and sorts all items, offering any that are suitable to charity. What can’t be reused in Australia goes to the Australian-owned partner facility in Malaysia for sorting. The items are then either sent to communities where they are needed most, recycled into rags or converted into biofuels.
For more information, please visit our FAQ.
Our Carbon Footprint
We are continuously working to reduce our carbon footprint and to manage our impact. At present, we are reducing our carbon emissions in the following ways:
Labelling & Packaging
We are working towards a goal of using zero single-use plastic in our supply chain.
We currently use recycled alternatives made from ocean-bound plastic from The Better Packaging Co., and recyclable honeycomb kraft paper wrap.
The pallet wrap, tape and shipping labels we use are biodegradable and compostable, our boxes are recyclable and the pallets we use in our warehouses are recycled.
Energy Efficiency
We partner withEnergy Locals, a carbon-neutral energy provider that provides credits to offset the energy usage of the business. Through Energy Locals, we purchase our energy through Cape Byron Power, operated by Cape Byron Management, consisting of two 30 MW biomass-fired power stations on the NSW North Coast. Together, these form one of the largest renewable baseload generators in Australia. The electricity is predominantly produced from sugarcane waste and certain types of wood residues and energy crops known as biomass fuel.
Freight
Shipping is an activity of the business in which we can make significant reductions, so we choose to work with freight partners who offer carbon-neutral delivery services.
We use the following postal services to send our orders:
Online
Australia Post - Carbon neutral parcel delivery - Australia Post (auspost.com.au)
New Zealand Post - Your parcel shouldn’t cost the earth | New Zealand Post (nzpost.co.nz)
B2B
DHL – Go Green climate neutral service where emissions are offset through climate protection projects. Offset Emissions | DHL | Australia
TNT/FedEx -Committed to becoming carbon neutral, we only use for B2B Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality | FedEx