The Sustainable Sequin Company
The Sustainable Sequin Company
(
Private sector
)
#SDGAction59342
Description
Founded in 2018 by Rachel Clowes, The Sustainable Sequin Company is dedicated to providing the fashion industry with more sustainable embellishments. The Company researches, develops and creates lower impact sequins for fashion brands, independent designers and embellishment enthusiasts alike. We are currently producing sequins using 20% recycled PET film, available for both hand and digital applications. Additionally, we offer custom-cut sequins for unique, bespoke projects. We're in the final stages of perfecting biodegradable sequins crafted from natural materials. - expect sequins that are not only durable and washable, but also beautiful. We believe that these sequins will be the shining stars of a more sustainable future for the fashion industry!
Every sequin is punched or cut to order in our UK-based workshop, ensuring that we never produce more than necessary. TSSC has just achieve Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification and will be selling 100% recycled PET sequins by July 2025. Having successfully produced biobased, biodegradable sequins at a laboratory scale, we're now embarking on the scaling-up process. This breakthrough in creating sequin film from renewable, biodegradable resources signifies a significant reduction in fossil fuel consumption and the associated greenhouse gas emissions.
At The Sustainable Sequin Company, we're dedicated to achieving maximum sparkle with minimal environmental impact. We're committed to creating plastic-free sequins that not only dazzle but also perform flawlessly, and can biodegrade gracefully at the end of their life cycle. We will be supplying these biobased sequins to fashion and textiles companies, helping them to meet their own sustainable material aims.
The recycled PET sequins are certified by Global Recycled Standard (GRS). The biobased sequins have been tested by University of Leeds based on "BS EN ISO 20200:2015 Plastics - Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under simulated composting conditions in a laboratory-scale test”. 99.17% of the tested material (sequins) decomposed based on the standard under the above standard under simulated composting conditions in a laboratory-scale test.
At The Sustainable Sequin Company, we pride ourselves on taking strides towards a more eco-conscious future. Currently, we work with sequin film that comprises 20% recycled PET and 80% virgin polyester, with 100% rPET GRS certified sequins arriving in July 2025. While this is not yet perfect, it represents a significant step in the right direction as we continue to seek even more sustainable alternatives. Our rPET sequins offer the following benefits:
- Preservation of Non-Renewable Resources: By incorporating recycled plastic, we contribute to the conservation of non-renewable fossil fuels.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: The use of recycled materials leads to decreased energy requirements during manufacture, resulting in lower emissions.
- Landfill Space Conservation: Our commitment to recycling means less waste in landfills and a reduction in toxic pollutants from incineration.
- PVC-Free: Conventional synthetic sequins often contain PVC (a known carcinogen), our sequins don't! TSSC is now developing biobased sequins, crafted from natural sources, which offer a world of advantages over their synthetic counterparts. They represent a significant step towards a more sustainable sequin industry.
Advantages include:
-Renewable Source
- Carbon Footprint
- Biodegradability
- Reduced Dependency on Fossil Fuels
- Reduced Pollution
- Potential for Closed-Loop Systems
- Promotion of Circular Economy
We're dedicated to not only measuring and reducing our own carbon emissions but also actively supporting projects that prevent and capture carbon. To date, we've successfully prevented 101.98 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from entering the atmosphere and removed an additional 17 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. This is achieved through the purchase of carbon credits from Ecologi, which are verified by the Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard. For every order placed, we proudly plant a tree (with a minimum of 100 trees planted per month). To date, we've planted 4,750 trees globally and contributed to the restoration of 85 square meters of vital UK wildflower and wetland habitat through Ecologi. We've assessed our historical use of synthetic plastics in our products, both recycled and virgin, and have funded the collection of the equivalent amount of ocean bound plastic. So far we have funded the colletion of 2,200kg of ocean-bound plastic waste (equal to 110,000 plastic bottles) through Plastic Bank. As proud members of 1% For The Planet, The Sustainable Sequin Company pledges to contribute 1% of our annual revenue, not just profits, to our partner Redress.
University of Leeds, University of Bradford, Royal College of Art and Redress
SDGS & Targets
Goal 12
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

12.1
Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries
12.1.1
Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production
12.2
By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
12.2.1
Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
12.2.2
Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP
12.3
By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses
12.3.1
(a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index
12.4
By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
12.4.1
12.4.2
(a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment
12.5
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
12.5.1
National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
12.6
Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
12.6.1
12.7
Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
12.7.1
Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans
12.8
By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
12.8.1
Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
12.a
Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
12.a.1
Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita)
12.b
Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
12.b.1
Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability
12.c
Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities
12.c.1
Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP
Goal 13
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

13.1
Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
13.1.1
Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
13.1.2
Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030
13.1.3
Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies
13.2
Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
13.2.1
Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
13.2.2
Total greenhouse gas emissions per year
13.3
Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
13.3.1
Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
13.a
Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible
13.a.1
Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025
13.b
Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities
13.b.1
Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
Name | Description |
---|
Deliverables & Timeline
Development and commercialisation of biobased, industrial compostable sequins.
Development and commercialisation of biobased, industrial compostable sequins.
Development of sustainable colouration techniques for biobased sequins and beads.
Reintroduction of manufacturing waste into production cycle
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress

Feedback
Action Network

Timeline
Entity
Region
- Europe
- Asia and Pacific
- North America
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- West Asia
Geographical coverage
Other beneficiaries
Societal benefits include protected worker health and reduced environmental hazards in communities near production/disposal sites by eliminating hazardous substances like PVC, MIBK and ethyl acetate (common in synthetic embellishments). Safer materials promote ethical, inclusive supply chains and create safer end-of-life scenarios, contributing to a more equitable society overall.
More information
Countries
Contact Information
Rachel, Founder