Our Approach to Sustainability

At Robert Mackie of Scotland, sustainability means balancing environmental responsibility, social well-being and economic success. By using natural fibres we minimise our environmental impact. We are committed to responsible practices, ensuring long-term business resilience and protecting our planet for future generations.

Our Approach to Sustainability

At Robert Mackie of Scotland, sustainability means balancing environmental responsibility, social well-being and economic success. By using natural fibres we minimise our environmental impact. We are committed to responsible practices, ensuring long-term business resilience and protecting our planet for future generations.

Storage shelves filled with colorful spools of thread in various shades including teal, green, orange, beige, purple, and yellow, organized in small cubbies.

We Keep It Natural

We prioritise using natural fibres to reduce reliance on synthetic, non-biodegradable materials. Minimising waste in our production process is essential and we ensure waste is responsibly disposed of or recycled.

We are focused on reducing our factory’s carbon footprint through energy-efficient practices and exploring renewable energy options where possible.

As part of this commitment, we have made a considerable investment in a new electric wash plant, significantly reducing our reliance on gas. We also operate on a green energy tariff, further lowering our environmental impact and supporting the transition to renewable energy sources.

We Keep It Natural

We prioritise the use of natural fibres and responsible production methods to reduce our environmental impact. By minimising waste, improving energy efficiency and investing in cleaner technologies, we continue to work towards reducing our factory’s carbon footprint. Our new electric wash plant has significantly reduced our reliance on gas, while our green energy tariff further supports our transition towards more sustainable energy practices.

Factory worker working with a sewing machine in a knitwear mill with neatly stacked green knitted pieces on a table.

We Are Not Standing Still

In 2025, we introduced our Sustainability Action Plan to drive meaningful progress in reducing emissions and energy use, fostering a safe, inclusive and ethical workplace and promoting circularity through waste reduction and responsible resource management. This commitment will continue into 2026, as we build on our achievements and strengthen our approach to responsible and sustainable manufacturing.

As part of our continuous improvement, we are proud to be part of the Net Zero Nation Accelerator Programme, helping SME’s across the UK reduce emissions and share best practices to move towards their Net Zero goals. The programme is delivered in partnership with Net Zero International, which provides expert guidance on carbon accounting and reduction planning, aligned with international standards. Since our benchmark year, we have reduced our carbon emissions by nearly 30%, and continue to monitor our progress through a dedicated carbon emissions dashboard.

Each year through the programme, we receive a tailored Carbon Reduction Plan that includes a full footprint assessment, updated reduction targets and practical steps to further decarbonise our operations. Our 2024 plan focused on energy efficiency, transitioning to electric systems and beginning to track more Scope 3 emissions.

Our target is to half our emissions by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2045, in line with Scotland national goals.

This partnership is helping us accelerate meaningful action, reduce emissions and build a more sustainable future - for our business and our community.

Read our Sustainability Policy to learn more about our environmental commitments.

People Are At The Heart
of What We Do

We are committed to fair labour practices and ensuring our employees have a safe, healthy and inclusive environment. We operate in line with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code, supporting human rights and ethical working conditions. Our commitment is reinforced by our participation in SEDEX audits.

As a Living Wage employer, we ensure all employees are paid fairly in line with the actual cost of living, not just the legal minimum. This reflects our commitment to employee wellbeing and ethical workplace practices, supporting our team both inside the factory and beyond.

Supporting the local community and strengthening the regional economy are core to our values, reflecting our long-standing presence in the area. We also support youth employment by continuing to offer internships and experience scheme opportunities within the business, helping young people gain valuable skills and insight into the industry.

People Are At The Heart
of What We Do

We are committed to fair labour practices, ensuring our employees have a safe, healthy and inclusive workplace. As an ETI Base Code aligned business, SEDEX participant and Living Wage employer, we support ethical working conditions and fair pay that reflects the true cost of living.

We are proud to support our local community and regional economy, while continuing to provide opportunities for young people through internships and experience schemes that help develop future industry talent.

Glove press within knitwear mill with rotating metal hands producing steam, factory worker adding new gloves to be pressed.

We Are Not Standing Still

In 2025, we introduced our Sustainability Action Plan to drive meaningful progress in reducing emissions and energy use, supporting an ethical and inclusive workplace, and promoting circularity through responsible resource management. As we continue this journey into 2026 and beyond, we are building on these commitments to strengthen our approach to sustainable manufacturing. Through our involvement in the Net Zero Nation Accelerator Programme, delivered with Net Zero International, we are working alongside other SMEs to reduce emissions, improve carbon management and share best practices.

Since our benchmark year, we have reduced our carbon emissions by nearly 30% and continue to track our progress through a dedicated carbon emissions dashboard. Each year, we receive a tailored Carbon Reduction Plan to help identify further opportunities for improvement, with our targets focused on halving emissions by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2045 in line with Scotland’s national goals. This partnership continues to support meaningful action as we work towards a more sustainable future for our business, our community and the generations ahead.

Read our Sustainability Policy to learn more about our environmental commitments.

A factory worker operating an industrial fashion press.
Close-up of multiple brown pattern pieces stacked on a shelf with handwritten labels.
Close-up of a knitwear machine with frayed, multicolored fabric being stitched.
Close-up of a person using a curved knife to cut a line of white chalk on a blue surface, with chalk dust in the air.
A man in a dark sweater and brown shoes standing in a factory or warehouse with machines, boxes, and sewing equipment around him.
Industrial knitwear mill showing steam press with a green folding table and a large machine underneath, next to a tan plastic crate and a bundle of white folded towels on the right side.