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‘Sustainability’ has become something of a buzzword these days. But what does it actually mean to us at Edge of Ember?
Sustainability means considering people and our planet in every decision we make, even if things are a little harder as a result. This is where our Responsibility Report comes in. It is a transparent picture of what we’ve done, what we’re currently doing and what we want to work towards.
Of course, we’re not perfect. But to us, sustainability is a journey. Keep scrolling to see how we’re working to be better.
our pillars
We align our mission with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Specifically, three goals that our work relates to: Gender Equality, Responsible Consumption and Protection and Climate Action.
our materials
Every step of our product development is carefully considered; from the materials we use to their lifespan. We want to normalise the use of recycled materials, and get creative with new ways of reusing and repurposing existing products.In 2020, we made the promise to only work with recycled metals. There’s plenty of gold and silver already in circulation, so there is no need to mine for these precious metals. This has reduced our carbon footprint by 42.72%* (compared with using mined metals).
LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
Since we launched our first diamond collection in 2019, we have worked exclusively with lab-grown diamonds. These little wonders are physically, chemically and aesthetically identical to mined diamonds - minus all the negative social and environmental impacts. These diamonds are sourced from a factory in India run on 60% renewable energy. The production process of lab-grown diamonds is still energy-intensive, but the C02 emissions produced are still significantly less than the mining process. Working exclusively with lab-grown diamonds, we’ve reduced our carbon footprint by 307 tonnes of C02 emissions per kg each year.
Our Makers
Our community of skilled craftspeople is the heart and soul of what we do. We partner with suppliers across India, Thailand, Italy and China to produce our jewellery and packaging.We only work with suppliers who can commit to the standards of our Supplier Code of Conduct. We always make sure a new supplier shares our ethos - from fair living wages to health and safety processes. They always have verified third-party audits, and are certified with the Responsible Jewellery Council.
OUR PACKAGING
Our packaging and all printing collateral is made out of 100% FSC certified paper (supplied by big mills including G.F.Smith Papers and Neenah), which we have found to be the most trusted source of paper to work with. FSC certified paper is fully traceable back to the exact forest the trees were taken from and is the most sustainable option. All FSC certified forests are sustainably managed to prioritise optimal carbon absorption, and with new trees planted in place of the ones cut and used for paper and wood – find out how it all works here.
our charities
We’re proud to be a female-led team, and we want to empower all women at all times. Whether that’s through charity partnerships bringing education to young girls, or brand collaborations with other female-owned businesses.
We believe that everyone has a role to play in gender equality. We’ve joined the UN's Women's Empowerment Principles because we know that unlocking every woman’s potential across the globe is the key to a better future. Through our Charity Sample Sales in the recent years, we have donated 100% of these profits to Women for Women, Solace Women's Aid and Malala Fund.
recycling
We launched our Re/Make Jewellery Recycling Programme in 2020. It was the first of its kind in the UK. It’s a super simple way for customers to recycle their unwanted jewellery in return for store credit. Plus it helps us put old metals back into the supply chain.
We also recycle all deadstock or faulty items. We work with a Birmingham metal refinery who melts down the products and re-forms them into metal rods that go on to be used in jewellery making.
our climate promise
In 2021, we conducted a Life Cycle Assessment to measure our carbon emissions through every stage of our supply chain, from sourcing to shipping. After that, we invested in carbon offsetting projects to counteract our emissions.Beyond this, we are working on mapping out a clear carbon-reduction strategy to reduce our carbon footprint even more. The long-term goal is achieving full net zero status.
b corp
Last year, we started working on becoming B Corp Certified. It’s a highly respected certification, and something we are committed to achieving. We will keep you updated on our progress, and can’t wait to hit that milestone.
