THE ELK VISION
With passion and creativity we are building a transparent, responsible business
with respect for people and planet.

THE ELK MISSION
To responsibly create product with enduring value through a thoughtful,
intelligent design philosophy, crafted with an artisanal aesthetic.

To lead a conscious business supporting traditional trades
and a circular economy that operates ethically and transparently, in safe, fair
and inclusive workplaces.

To minimise our environmental footprint and create a
positive impact on our local and global communities.

BBC FEATURE
ELK was the only Australian fashion label featured in BBC Storywork’s Fashion Redressed docu-series on responsible fashion brands.

(RE)NEW PROGRAM
We accept pre loved ELK garments back at all of our stores. They are mended, cleaned or adjusted, and then re sold. Last year we sold around 200 (RE)NEW items.

MATERIAL EMISSIONS
Our carbon emissions from materials were 30% lower than last year, achieved through an increase in the percentage of preferred materials used and reduced production. This was the result of strategic planning in support of our efforts to avoid over-production.

1% FOR THE PLANET
This year we donated a total of $182k in cash, products, and volunteer hours to our non-profit environmental charity partners, fulfilling our commitment to 1% for the Planet.

MATCHED GIVING
In collaboration with our customers we donated more than $15.5k to our partner, Karrkad Kanjdji Trust, which is owned and led by First Nations people.

TREES IN THE GROUND
Through our partnership with TreeProject, we supported the planting of more than 58,000 native seedlings this year, bringing our total to 190,000 since 2020.

TEAM VOLUNTEERING
Our team completed 459 hours of paid volunteering with various partners, an increase of 38% from
last year.

SUPPLY CHAIN MAPPING
We maintained 100% transparency of Tier 1 suppliers, have mapped 97% of Tier 2 and 49% of Tier 3 (up from 86% and 34% from last year).

SUPPLIER ACTION PLANS
Our largest supplier installed on-site solar panels based on recommendations from ELK’s Supplier Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) program. Eight core suppliers are now a part of this important program.

PREFERRED MATERIALS
Our collections were made with 75% ELK Environmentally Preferred Fibres and Materials, up from 64% last year.

PREFERRED COTTON
We introduced regeneratively-farmed cotton making up 10% of cotton use. Regenerative agriculture supports biodiversity, responsible water use, healthy waterways, and soil health.

ELK (RE)NEW PROGRAM TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUR WASTE
We are taking responsibility for our garments at end-of-use through our (RE)NEW program. It is our way of extending the lifespan of our products, reduce textile waste and their overall environmental impact.

ELK ACHIEVES AUSTRALIAN FIRST WITH BLOCKTEXX® PARTNERSHIP
ELK is proud to announce a groundbreaking Australian-first partnership with BlockTexx® to responsibly treat ELK’s end-of-life garments that cannot be resold through our (RE)NEW program. Garments are converted into products for the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, diverting waste from landfill.

SCALING UP CIRCULARITY WITH SEAMLESS
We are members of Seamless – Australia’s first product stewardship scheme for textiles. Seamless was established to promote and provide solutions for circularity within the fashion industry, solving the issue of clothing waste.

B-CORP JOURNEY TO CERTIFICATION
Our application for B-Corp is currently under assessment with a goal for certification in early 2025. The rigorous requirements through the application process has drawn heavily on the expertise, experience and systems we have in place for our transparency reporting.

The saying "time flies when you’re having fun" rings true as we celebrate our 20th year in a business we’re proud to have created. While we have taken a moment to look back and wonder how we reached our 20th birthday so quickly (see earlier comment about having fun), we are not typically backward-looking, and much of this year has been focused on what’s ahead.

We launched ELK in a very different time as a team of two, handcrafting jewellery in a small studio. As demand grew we stayed committed to working with ethical makers with shared values. We expanded to include leather goods, knitwear, and apparel that is sold through our retail stores, online and globally through our wholesale partners.

The past two decades have painted a picture of a small business in constant evolution. We cherish the success we have achieved and the position we have earned in our industry, yet recognise that despite significant changes, "sustainability" and "fashion" are still not comfortable bedfellows.

Our journey reflects this ongoing evolution as we strive to bridge sustainability and fashion. Looking forward, we aim to lead ELK responsibly into the next twenty years, building a transparent business that respects people and the planet.

Marnie Goding & Adam Koniaras,
ELK Co-Founders