"We are engaged in and committed to continual change and improvement. Our goals and roadmap are clear and so much has already been achieved. Together with our team we will continue to push forward with positive change. Better products and a better business for a healthier planet."
Our Commitment to Transparency
This is our fourth annual transparency report. It details how we operate as a fashion business and highlights our ethical and environmental journey. It looks at our internal operations, our people and the culture that make ELK a unique Australian brand. It serves as a public statement around our commitment to running a business with transparency, honesty and integrity, and tracks our progress against our 2025 goals.
ELK Giving Branding
Our Commitment to Transparency
2021 highlights
1% FOR THE
PLANET
We joined 1% for the Planet, committing to donate 1% of all sales to environmental not–for–profit groups. This significant milestone reflects our strong commitment to protecting the environment.
ELK GIVING
LAUNCH
Our charity product label, ELK Giving, was launched with 100% of profits from the sales of selected products donated to Positive Change for Marine Life.
TREEPROJECT
Our partnership with TreeProject and a $2 donation for every online order has supported the planting of 69,131 native seedlings since 2020. We also joined two volunteer planting days.
INCREASED DONATIONS
We donated a total of $126K in cash, product, and paid volunteer hours to our charity partners, up from $85K in 2020.
NET-ZERO TARGET
We have achieved a 90% reduction in our absolute scopes 1 & 2 carbon emissions, towards our target of 100% reduction by 2030.
Renewable Energy
ELK has been powered by 100% renewable electricity since April 2021. Onsite solar provides 45% of our electricity with the balance purchased as 100% GreenPower.
PREFERRED
MATERIALS
Our 2021 collections were made with 45% environmentally preferred materials, up from 27% in 2020.1
BETTER
COTTON
We used more organic cotton, and introduced our first Australian grown cotton garments.
RESPONSIBLE
VISCOSE
We have traced more of our man-made cellulosic fibres with 92% coming from CanopyStyle Green Shirt rated producers.
INCENTIVE
SCHEME
We launched a market leading, profit-sharing incentive scheme, available to all permanent ELK employees.
SUSTAINABLE
PACKAGING
We increased the amount of FSC certified new paper used to 64%. Overall 99% of our packaging is now recyclable or compostable.
TRANSPARENCY
PLEDGE
We joined the Transparency Pledge and are publishing our traced suppliers for Tiers 1 to 4 on the Open Apparel Registry.
(RE)NEW
Our (RE)NEW program commenced with a soft launch in early 2022. Vintage and repaired ELK pieces are being sold in store to support a more circular economy.
PLASTIC-FREE
Garment BAGS
We avoided 978kg of new plastic by expanding our use of FSC certified paper garment bags across more of our product range.
VEGAN
COLLECTIONS
We have reduced our leather footprint by offering more vegan bag styles, made with lower impact natural and synthetic materials.
1 Previous years data was recalculated based on our updated ratings guidelines.
Marnie Goding and Adam Koniaras, ELK Co-founders
From our founders
We are a growing business, not only in size but in knowledge, experience, and intention. The collective motivation of our ELK leaders and teams who continue to build on what we have, to improve and propel us all forward has resulted in this advancement, even through difficult times.
Around us we see and feel the effects of the worsening climate crisis and it is frightening. As business founders we continually question whether what we are doing is just. How much are we contributing to this escalating disaster? Can we run and grow a business whilst limiting our effect on the environment at the same time? The answer is that as a traditional fashion business, no we cannot.
It is undeniable that we have an impact. So, with our goals driving us, we continue our mission to address ways in which we can limit it. With the guidance and efforts of Erika Martin our Head of Ethics and Sustainability and her team, we have continued to make some great progress and commitments.
The most vital thing is for Adam and I to keep our eyes open, to see opportunities for improvement and to see where we can invest time, finance and energy into change and innovation. To be the responsible business we claim to be and to cement our position as a purpose led brand we have to live and lead by example.
There is so much opportunity for us to drive positive change and we relish the idea of a year where we can work, live and progress without interruption. Our resolve to make ELK and our products more responsible is steadfast.
Marnie Goding and Adam Koniaras, ELK Co-founders
From our Head of Ethics
and Sustainability
The climate alarm bells are getting louder, and we are already experiencing the effects of global warming. However with rapid cuts to global emissions we can still avoid the worst impacts, and every incremental reduction will make a difference. Businesses are stepping up and we are proud to be part of that movement.
At the time of writing this letter, unprecedented floods are devastating large areas of Australia. Our hearts go out to the families and communities impacted, and we are actively looking for meaningful ways to contribute to the relief efforts.
Through 2021 we have reduced our emissions by increasing our investment in renewable energy and set science–based emissions reduction targets. We also continue to reduce our environmental impacts through more considered materials choices.
Joining 1% for the Planet was a key milestone for ELK in 2021 and a reflection of our strong commitment to protecting the environment. Other highlights include the launch of our profit–sharing employee incentive scheme, our first t–shirt made with Australian grown cotton, and our continued partnership with TreeProject.
The impacts of COVID–19 on our business and supply chain continued to be felt, from more lockdowns and retail store closures here in Melbourne, to significant delays with production and freight. This has delayed our progress in some areas, and we are hopeful for a COVID–free year ahead.
We are excited about the innovations and collaborations that are starting to transform the fashion industry, however much more needs to be done. The industry urgently needs to address the issue of waste and overproduction, and to increase transparency along the value chain to reduce worker exploitation and environmental abuses.
It is great to look back on the year and see the progress we have made. We firmly believe that being a responsible, purpose led business is more relevant than ever, and our commitment to transparency, setting ambitious targets and transforming our business remains strong.
Erika Martin
Head of Ethics and Sustainability
Erika Martin, Head of Ethics & Sustainability
Steph Packing Online Orders
Our ethical &
environmental
mission
To responsibly create products that are good for people and our planet. To support traditional trades and a circular economy whilst ensuring the creation of safe, fair and inclusive work. To operate ethically and transparently, minimise our environmental footprint and promote positive social practices.
Aligning our
approach to the SDGs
The United Nations have developed a set of 17 goals for ending poverty, improving health and education, addressing inequality, sustainable economic growth, tackling climate change and preserving our oceans and forests. We have aligned our 2025 goals and actions with these UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although our strategy touches on many of the SDGs, we have identified the goals that as a fashion business we believe we can contribute to in a meaningful way.
