The Knot Collective

An example of sustainable production that doesn't involve wearable fashion is the Knot Collective. They make a range of handcrafted socially and environmentally sustainable rugs that are designed by famous western graphic designers.

Their website states:
"In a world of over-consumption we are giving people the opportunity to own a product that has many purposes. Our rug art allows people to own a beautiful handmade rug and a piece of limited edition art that will only ever exist in very small numbers. Every rug we create will be made using 100% recycled plastic yarn, turning a wasteful product into a thing of beauty.  Its very existence shows a respect for the planet and the creative human collaboration that made this possible. It is a vital part of The Knot Collective DNA that everything we do has an ethical conscious which is why all of our mills are ethically run, as certified by Goodweave, our charity partner. Every rug sold plays a part in helping to rescue children which are put to slavery every day working long hours in dangerous conditions that are detrimental to their psychical and mental health. We donate a portion of profits on every rug sold towards this vital organisation and will continue to do so until this mission has been achieved."

Environmental Perspective

"The Knot Collective is taking on the daunting reality of over-consumption and a continuous rise of plastic waste, by turning discarded plastic into woven pieces of collectible floor art. Owning just one Knot Collective rug comes with the knowledge that you have diverted over 3,800 plastic bottles away from landfill sites and ensuring your rug is made from 100% post-consumer material. The recycled PET fibres within each rug are naturally stain-resistant and do not require the chemical treatments used on most nylon carpets, they also retain colour and resist fading from exposure to the sun or harsh cleaning. Producing the yarn from an existing manufactured product means we do not need to use precious hydrocarbons to make the polyester material.  Reducing energy consumption for manufacturing by 66%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 34% and reducing water consumption by nearly 50%."


Social

"The Knot Collective is fully opposed to child labour of any nature and are committed to creating ethical rugs and working towards a better future for the industry and carpet weaving families across the globe. Being a partner of GoodWeave ensures our rugs are ethical and made by adult artisans, not children. GoodWeave is ending child labor and offering educational opportunities to children in carpet weaving communities around the world. GoodWeave fulfills its mission by creating market demand for certified child-labor-free rugs, monitoring supply chains, rescuing and educating child laborers, and providing critical services for weaving families. The GoodWeave label is the best assurance that a rug is ethical and was produced free of child labor, and it also means that a percentage of the cost of the rug supports GoodWeave social programs in India, Nepal or Afghanistan. Certified rugs are produced by licensed exporters, who have agreed to produce rugs without child labor, and allow unannounced inspections by GoodWeave. Since GoodWeave’s founding, more than 20,000 children have benefited from the organization’s education and rehabilitation programs, including 3,800 directly rescued from the looms. GoodWeave works with 140+ global licensees, importing certified rugs into 16 consumer countries. Each rug you buy from us is ethical and free from child labour."



This is an interesting angle on over-consumption as although the company has very good intentions and produces in an ethical and sustainable manner I would still argue that middle-class western society buying £435 rugs designed by Stefan Sagmeister and shipped from Nepal into their 1 million pound brutalist flats isn't really a necessity. I would even have some doubts as to whether this is the most sustainable way to source this specific item of household furniture as of course buying second-hand rugs that have already been produced would help tackle overproduction and consumption further. However, this is probably one of the best ways to buy a new item and undoubtedly the social impacts of the project on impoverished communities are very positive. The company also sets a president for others to ethically source and produce as we can't simply stop producing material possessions due to the impacts this would have on economies. I still think that I would like my project to focus on the consumption of materials that have already been produced as this mindset will help to reduce our outrageous quantities of waste. I am also aware that these rugs are works of art and therefore demand a high price tag but it does run the risk of putting sustainability on a pedestal for only the affluent with rugs ranging from £300-2,520. I think aiming my project at a wider socioeconomic target demographic will be a welcome move.