Ethics
Natural
Merino Kids use 100% natural materials where possible on all our products and packaging. Our products consist of 100% natural superfine, bleach-free merino, 100% natural organic cotton and nickel free zips and poppers. Our packaging contains 100% cotton organdy fabric and recycled tissue paper.
Sustainability
At the core of our philosophy is a commitment to nature’s best materials to make the products which protect the children you care for. Superfine merino wool is naturally grown on merino sheep and is shorn from their backs each year in a humane way. The merino wool naturally replaces itself as the sheep grows its winter coat again. We have full traceability on all the merino wool we use and work closely with the farms. This is a good start on our journey towards sustainability.
Biodegradable
When a natural merino wool fibre is disposed of it takes only one year to decompose. Most synthetics on the other hand, are extremely slow to degrade – from 20 to 1000 years!
Manufacturing
Our products are designed and the merino wool primarily sourced in New Zealand. The superfine merino top is spun, woven and finished in India in a sweatshop-free environment. The observance of human rights at all our global production sites is one of our fundamental requirements. Each country has laws to protect workers but we also have in place a “Code of Supplier Conduct” document that is signed by all of our factories and which is monitored and reinforced by us during our regular trips. The document defines what we deem to be acceptable practice in areas such as:
- No child labour
- No forced labour
- Employees shall be treated fairly with respect and dignity
- Safe and healthy working environment
- Fair wages, benefits and hours or work
- Comply with legal and ethical business practices
- Gender equity and non-discrimination
We are also dedicated to sourcing the best environmentally friendly fabric manufacturing and finishing processes, to ensure our fabrics remain a sustainable and biodegradable resource. We impose strict control over the dyeing and finishing processes that the factories can use.