What difference can it make to the carbon footprint of a t-shirt if it is produced per order versus mass-produced? Transition has examined this in a project with the clothing brand Son of a Tailor by reviewing the brand’s business model and preparing a life cycle analysis for one of their cotton t-shirts.
The Copenhagen-based clothing brand Son of a Tailor has built its entire business model around the concept of made-to-order, where they produce tailor-made clothing to order. By having a business model where they only produce clothing based on customer demand, they avoid overproduction. At the same time, the concept where they tailor the clothing helps them avoid returns.
Son of a Tailor wanted to obtain documentation of whether their made-to-order business model has a smaller carbon footprint, compared to mass production. To investigate this, Transition prepared a comprehensive life cycle analysis (LCA) of Son of a Tailor’s cotton t-shirts. The life cycle analysis examines the product’s emissions from cradle to grave, which is why it provides insight into both the total Carbon footprint and which phases the emissions are the highest.
Analysens resultater
The results of the life cycle analysis show that t-shirts produced with the made-to-order business model have a 25% smaller carbon footprint than mass-produced t-shirts from a cradle-to-gate perspective (Read more here). The results can be used as documentation when Son of a Tailor in the future communicates and promotes the benefits of ordering their t-shirts rather than one that is mass-produced.
Do you also want to gain deeper insight into your company’s supply chain and have a life cycle analysis prepared for your products? Then contact Lasse Langstrup Hägerstrand, Head of LCA, EPD & Climate calculations, at lasse@transition.nu.