Sustainability
How We Care
The backbone of LUMEN is formed on a true ethos that strives for sustainability on both a local level and global scale.
Our Ethos
Pieces for life: we’re against fast fashion. We believe firmly in pieces-for-life that will be worn, mended and enjoyed for generations.
The Environment
Our Fabrics
This is perhaps the biggest decision we can make at LUMEN for the environment as a textile business, and we therefore have chosen biodegradable, natural materials:
100% Pure New Wool Harris Tweed that has been woven by foot-pedalled looms locally on the Isle of Lewis.
Our Cyanotype panels are all printed onto 100% cotton canvas.
Natural biodegradable leather for bag straps.
100% cotton for linings.
How we dispose of our waste
If there is waste at LUMEN, this is recycled or composted wherever possible.
Efficiency and Minimal Waste
Efficiency is key in how we cut our patterns and how we choose to make use of our scraps.
No over-ordering: we only buy what we’ll need for our batches.
Creating small products from off-cuts: these little coin purses are available in person at our workshop in Achmore.
Selling on Harris Tweed scraps: although the very small pieces won’t be used by us, we know there are makers out there who will use them, which is why we sell bags of Harris Tweed scraps from our workshop in Achmore.
Packaging Materials
Minimal packaging is used to reduce waste, with environmentally-friendly options used wherever possible.
Cyanotype Chemicals
The chemicals used within the Cyanotype Process are salt & iron based, and totally non-toxic. Part of the process includes washing excess chemical from our fabric pieces, but this gentle process is entirely environmentally safe to wash down the sink, and safe to the skin.
Our Process
Keeping it Small
Small-batch production ensuring that we never over-produce and waste precious materials.
Ever item that comes out of the LUMEN workshop has been handsewn, handprinted and handcrafted.
We respect the luxury fabric that is Harris Tweed, using every piece possible.
We respect the time, care and energy that has been used to create our Cyanotype prints.
Supporting Local Industries
Harris Tweed Fabric
In using Harris Tweed fabric, we are choosing to support a significant local industry and to contribute to the island community to which we belong. To learn more on the sustailability of Harris Tweed fabric, visit the Harris Tweed Authority website.
