Our Commitments To Sustainability
Our Commitments To Sustainability
We Are a Certified B Corporation.
We are thrilled to share that OKA became a Certified B Corporation in 2023, a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to our strategic pillars, including our mission to reduce our impact on the planet and positively contribute to the communities we interact with. B Corp certification is not just a badge of honour; it represents a powerful commitment at OKA to environmental and social responsibility. We know we still have a way to go, but we are committed to making better choices every day. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates and initiatives, which we will be sharing soon.
This certification from non-profit organisation B Lab demonstrates our dedication to holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of sustainability and transparency, where every action, no matter the size, counts. Through this certification, we will now appear on B Lab’s directory of B Corp-certified businesses, joining a global community of like-minded companies that prioritise the planet and people alongside profitability. operational and strategic decisions to drive sustainable practices.
We Are a Certified B Corporation.
We are thrilled to share that OKA became a Certified B Corporation in 2023, a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to our strategic pillars, including our mission to reduce our impact on the planet and positively contribute to the communities we interact with. B Corp certification is not just a badge of honour; it represents a powerful commitment at OKA to environmental and social responsibility. We know we still have a way to go, but we are committed to making better choices every day. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates and initiatives, which we will be sharing soon.
This certification from non-profit organisation B Lab demonstrates our dedication to holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of sustainability and transparency, where every action, no matter the size, counts. Through this certification, we will now appear on B Lab’s directory of B Corp-certified businesses, joining a global community of like-minded companies that prioritise the planet and people alongside profitability.
Our Sustainability Progress Report
Our sustainability vision is to work with global craftsmen and women to create unique and timeless pieces that are designed to inspire practical living and effortless entertaining while respecting our planet, our people and future generations. This report is an opportunity for us to share our Sustainability Strategy, highlighting our focus on people, the planet, product quality and operational excellence.
Our Sustainability Story so Far
Our Sustainability Story so Far
Responsible Business Practices
- We are a B Corp certified business, joining a global community of like-minded companies that prioritise the planet and people alongside profitability.
- We are actively taking steps to reduce the mark we leave on the planet. We have set achievable Science Based Targets, which are aligned with the Paris Agreement's target of limiting global warming to a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase by 2030.
- In 2022, 56.2% of our emissions came from renewable resources (versus 2% in 2021).
- We have long-standing relationships with our suppliers, who we expect to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct. Our top 10 suppliers have been assessed by third-party auditors for their compliance with human rights and labour rights in China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
- We have made active changes to reduce waste, such as reusing our cardboard boxes in stores and returning flat-packed boxes to our Warehouse for reuse.
- We have also made gains in reducing our paper, plastic and packaging waste. This includes reducing our paper usage for direct marketing activity by 27.1 tonnes and reducing our Expanded Polystyrene waste by 5.2 tonnes.
- Our Outlet stores and warehouse sales offer customers the opportunity to purchase sample and old season stock at a reduced price, giving our seconds a longer life-span and avoiding sending unnecessary waste to landfill.
Responsible Business Practices
- We are a B Corp certified business, joining a global community of like-minded companies that prioritise the planet and people alongside profitability.
- We are actively taking steps to reduce the mark we leave on the planet. We have set achievable Science Based Targets, which are aligned with the Paris Agreement's target of limiting global warming to a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase by 2030.
- In 2022, 56.2% of our emissions came from renewable resources (versus 2% in 2021).
- We have long-standing relationships with our suppliers, who we expect to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct. Our top 10 suppliers have been assessed by third-party auditors for their compliance with human rights and labour rights in China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
- We have made active changes to reduce waste, such as reusing our cardboard boxes in stores and returning flat-packed boxes to our Warehouse for reuse.
- We have also made gains in reducing our paper, plastic and packaging waste. This includes reducing our paper usage for direct marketing activity by 27.1 tonnes and reducing our Expanded Polystyrene waste by 5.2 tonnes.
- Our Outlet stores and warehouse sales offer customers the opportunity to purchase sample and old season stock at a reduced price, giving our seconds a longer life-span and avoiding sending unnecessary waste to landfill.
Designing for a Better Planet
- Our pieces are designed to wear in, not out, and so we provide informative and concise care guides to encourage our community to look after their products and extend their longevity.
- When designing our collections, we strive to source high-quality materials and fabrics that will age beautifully and stand the test of time.
- Our retail bags are made from 100% paper, which can be recycled at kerbside.
Designing for a Better Planet
- Our pieces are designed to wear in, not out, and so we provide informative and concise care guides to encourage our community to look after their products and extend their longevity.
- When designing our collections, we strive to source high-quality materials and fabrics that will age beautifully and stand the test of time.
- Our retail bags are made from 100% paper, which can be recycled at kerbside.
Creating Through Innovation and Partnership
- Our makers are at the heart of our collections. We nurture traditional craftsmanship skills and support artisan communities that have been honing their expertise for generations.
- Our ongoing Spare Parts Project enables repairs to take place in our warehouse and in customer's homes, extending our products' lifecycles. We also rehome products to community projects and charities.
Creating Through Innovation and Partnership
- Our makers are at the heart of our collections. We nurture traditional craftsmanship skills and support artisan communities that have been honing their expertise for generations.
- Our ongoing Spare Parts Project enables repairs to take place in our warehouse and in customer's homes, extending our products' lifecycles. We also rehome products to community projects and charities.
Enhancing All Lives
- We are conscious that many of our designs are inspired by cultures and craftspeople from all over the world. We strongly believe that we would not have many of the amazing designs that we do without them, and want to do more to tell their story and champion craft in the places where we operate. We are working on partnerships and stories that we're excited to share with you soon.
- We have an ongoing partnership with Women's Aid, the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. In 2021, the first year of our partnership, we raised £45k through limited edition products and fundraising initiatives.
- We offset our scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by contributing to two global projects: The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project and the Guatemalan Conservation Coast Project.
Enhancing All Lives
- We are conscious that many of our designs are inspired by cultures and craftspeople from all over the world. We strongly believe that we would not have many of the amazing designs that we do without them, and want to do more to tell their story and champion craft in the places where we operate. We are working on partnerships and stories that we're excited to share with you soon.
- We have an ongoing partnership with Women's Aid, the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. In 2021, the first year of our partnership, we raised £45k through limited edition products and fundraising initiatives.
- We offset our scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by contributing to two global projects: The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project and the Guatemalan Conservation Coast Project.
The Fundamentals...
What we are always working on and championing; the building blocks of our journey to being a more conscious and sustainable business.
We are a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)
OKA has been a member of the UNGC – the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative – since 2019 and we report annually on our progress. The UNGC aims to mobilise a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to create a more sustainable world.
We are involved in the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
The SBTi provides companies with a clearly defined way to future-proof growth by specifying how quickly, and by how much, they need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. It is a collaboration between CDP, the World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). We are proud is be involved with this initiative.
Our Sustainability Strategy is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future". The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by 2030.
YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED
What is the definition of “Made in England”?
Goods that are manufactured or assembled within the United Kingdom.Where are your products made?
Our collections are a carefully curated celebration of design, colour and personality offering quality and individuality to our customers. Our products are manufactured in 13 countries across the globe including the UK, France, Italy, China and India. We have a passion for design and proudly partner with skilled independent craftspeople and family-run businesses wherever in the world they might be. We work closely with all our partners to support the needs to their businesses and ensure that all our products are made to high ethical standards.How do you set your prices?
Since the beginning, our goal has been to offer high-quality products at prices that are fair to both our expert makers and our customers. Our prices reflect the cost of raw materials, workmanship and transportation – all of which has increased in recent years – and take into account how products of the same premium standard are priced in the market.What are you doing to make your packaging more sustainable?
We are reducing the quantity of packaging where possible and are taking steps to ensure the packaging we collect is sent directly to local recycling companies, ensuring best circularity and best value with minimal energy used in the process. We have reviewed all our packaging and are in the process of delivering improved solutions to reduce waste and reused where possible.Why do you sometimes run out of stock?
We do our best to ensure we don’t run out of stock, but the reality is that demand can be hard to predict – sometimes pieces simply prove to be much more popular than we anticipated. As many of our products are handmade or hand finished, our lead times can be six months or more, so stock can take some time to replenish. If favourite items do run out of stock, we take this into account when buying for future collections, but we are careful to avoid overstocking and potential waste.Why do you produce parts of your collection in China?
Global influences are at the heart of OKA’s design process, and we want to preserve techniques from all over the world that have been passed down from generation to generation, some of which may be in danger of becoming extinct in the future. Many artisanal processes have roots in the Far East, and we are proud of the relationships that we have built with our suppliers there over the past 20 years; their skills and expertise help us to create each collection. We are also working on a plan to source products ‘closer to home’ and are working towards increasing the number of new suppliers from the EU, UK and the US.How to you go about choosing your materials?
We consider a variety of criteria when choosing materials, including look and finish, durability, location and supplier. Recycled materials, such as the elm and pine we use, create a rustic effect, whereas smooth oak results in a cleaner and more modern look; the desired aesthetic changes depending on the product. Another factor is how the piece will be used, a dining table, for example, will require a stronger type of wood than a decorative item. Where products are made is another key factor; some suppliers specialise in working with certain materials so we will endeavour to make use of these skills, and natural materials that they can source locally and sustainably.Do you use eco-friendly materials?
During the design process we work closely with our suppliers to ensure that we are sourcing appropriate materials for each item, of the best quality. We are working to improve transparency on the sourcing of raw materials and establish robust processes and systems to integrate responsible practices that respect the environment, peopleand communities. We are committed to working with suppliers who can offer transparency with raw materials, and ensure that wherever possible we conserve resources including water and energy, while preventing pollution to air, water and land.