Environmental Impact

At Latex Couture, we think everyone should be taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Latex Couture is no exception, we strive to be carbon neutral. We reduce our carbon footprint in a number of ways but first, Let’s speak about the Latex material itself.

What is latex?

The simple answer - Latex is rubber, Typically a mixture of water, rubber and pigments. 

Latex is a soft white substance that is found under the bark of mature rubber trees, this means latex is a natural product! A lot of people find it surprising that latex is a natural product given its strength and the man-made feel of items made of it such as tyres, gloves and of course latex clothes!

But the truth is, natural rubber latex does in fact come from nature! Before it is processed into the sheets we use to create our garments, it’s harvested from rubber trees using techniques that have been passed down for generations.

Where does latex come from and how is latex harvested?

Latex lives just beneath the bark of the rubber tree, to collect the latex ‘Tappers’ remove thin strips of bark, doing so disrupts the plant ducts which allows the latex to flow down the grooves that the tappers cut into the tree. The Latex then runs down the groves into the cups, where it is then sent to processing to create the sheets we use.

Photo Credit: The Backpacking Wayfarers Website Instagram

The process of making latex garments?

We receive our latex in the form of rolls of sheet latex in a range of colours. We then design the garment and produce a ‘pattern’ which is then cut out of the sheet. This does however leave some waste, but fear not! Left over pieces of latex are put to one side for future use to avoid waste as much as possible. We use these pieces when sampling new details and garments.

 

Fast/Slow Fashion?

All of our garments are hand made to order, meaning that we do not waste any of our raw sheet material. By not having stock of garments on the shelves, it allows us to be reactive and change to the consumer market.

Fast fashion is having a huge impact on climate change - many consumers in modern society buy clothes then discard them when they are out of fashion. 

We prefer slow, more sustainable, fashion. Latex garments are strong when stored and cared for correctly, meaning they will last a long time. 

What is Latex Couture doing to reduce their carbon footprint? 

We have strong views on climate change and try our best to be carbon neutral. We use 100% renewable power in our studio which is off grid and powered by solar panels, this powers all of our lighting and equipment as well as charge our electric car which we use to take parcels to the courier. 

We package our garments in reusable zip lock bags which not only protects the garment during shipping. It helps you protect it throughout the life of the garment. We also use plain cardboard boxes sealed with paper tape, which again is recyclable. We try to use large letter boxes as much as possible as this saves space in the couriers vehicle which allows them to carry more parcels.

With every order placed through our website, A tree is planted! Not a rubber tree though, A Mangrove tree is planted as studies have shown that mangroves ‘sequester carbon at a rate two to four times greater than mature tropical forests’ and contain ‘the highest carbon density of all terrestrial ecosystems’.

By planting a tree with every order, within time this tree will offset the carbon emissions created during the shipping, on top of what the courier does to offset their emissions.

So far, with your help we have planted this many trees!