My Planet Pawprint
Planet Pawprint: My Eco Commitments
I know “eco-friendly” gets thrown around more than a tennis ball in a spaniel household — so I want to be upfront about what I'm doing (and not doing) to reduce my environmental pawprint.
At Ruff Remakes, I believe doing our bit for the planet doesn’t have to mean being perfect. It means doing better, making things that last, and rethinking the waste that already exists. Here’s how I do it:
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1. Upcycled Materials
Most of these products are made from post-consumer textiles — think secondhand shirts, pillowcases, trousers and curtains that were destined for landfill.
Every item rescued has a story, and I love giving it a new one.
I source fabric from:
- Charity shops
- Local clothing donations
- Fabric remnants from homes
- Pre-loved household textiles
- Jumble sales
What I avoid: virgin fabrics wherever possible (unless they’re deadstock, donated or a safety necessity).
Each item is sewn with organic cotton or recycled polyester thread (depending on strength required). Even my sewing machine is powered my renewable electricity!
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2. Waste Not, Want Not
I don’t just upcycle — I use every scrap where I can. From tiny bow ties made of pocket squares to patchwork bandanas crafted from leftover offcuts, nothing goes to waste if I can help it. (I even have a bag of thread cut offs I use for repairs to my own clothes).
Even my packaging is reused or recyclable.
What I do with scraps:
- Tiny accessories (bows, flowers, patches)
- Toy stuffing
- Toy bowls
- Patchwork designs
- Donate unusable bits to local textile recycling
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3. Deadstock Materials
I never buy new fabric but for items that require strength or weatherproofing (like reflective or webbing-based products), I sometimes but rarely use deadstock fabric — unused material that would otherwise be incinerated or sent to landfill.
This includes:
- Reflective fabric
- Straps and fastenings
This is because it’s the best way to ensure function without creating new demand for raw resources.
The elastic I use is organic cotton or from secondhand items. Hook and loop fastenings, snaps and zips I try to source from old clothing or secondhand but occasionally need to buy new - these are always sourced from my local factory to cut carbon emissions. I try to use buttons where feasible and not too fiddly.
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4. Handmade in the UK
Every Ruff Remakes item is handmade right here in Devon — by a real human (hi, it’s me!) using a very well-loved sewing machine and a strong cup of tea.
That means:
- No overseas factories
- No mass production
- Lower shipping emissions
- Local, small-scale production you can actually feel good about
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5. Low-Waste Packaging
I pack your orders in reused or recycled packaging — and I’ll never send you plastic you don’t need.
Here’s what to expect:
- Recycled paper tape and tissue
- Recycled boxes or mailers
- Upcycled thank-you notes and care instructions (sometimes printed on the back of old homework, don’t judge)
- Logo printed with sustainable wood stamp and eco ink
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6. Honest About Imperfection
Not every fabric is flawless. Some have tiny signs of their former life — a bit of fading here, a rogue buttonhole there — but I see that as part of their charm.
I promise:
- No compromise on function or safety
- Full transparency about where your item came from
- Real sustainability over greenwashing
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Got Questions?
I'm always open to chatting more about materials, ethics and how I can do better. Have I missed anything?
Drop me a message in the chat or email ruffremakes@outlook.com.
