Royal Trinity Hospice garners recognition for its environmental initiatives, celebrating sustainability in fashion by winning the Best Carbon Footprint Award.
Royal Trinity Hospice has achieved recognition for its environmental efforts, winning the Best Carbon Footprint Award at the 2025 Drapers Conscious Fashion Awards. This accolade was part of a larger celebration of sustainability within the fashion industry, where Royal Trinity Hospice was also shortlisted for two additional categories: the Recommerce Award and the Best Conscious Store Design Award.
The Drapers Conscious Fashion Awards aim to spotlight the strides made by the fashion industry in mitigating its environmental impact and enhancing working conditions throughout the supply chain. The Royal Trinity Hospice was honored specifically for its “Seven Steps to Sustainability” initiative, which was launched in 2023. This project has led to significant enhancements to the carbon footprint of the hospice’s retail operations. Notable improvements include the introduction of a fully electrified fleet, the creation of reusable stock transfer bags, and advancements in circular practices within shop fittings. These initiatives collectively contributed to a reduction of over 65 tonnes of CO2e in the previous year.
Andy Keen, Director of Retail at Royal Trinity Hospice, commented on the achievement, stating, “Charity retail is inherently circular as we rely on preloved goods to raise the funds for our good causes, so it would have been easy to rest on our laurels in terms of our sustainability goals. But, I hope this award demonstrates that there is so much that can be done, from shop fits to transport to brand partnerships to contribute to a less wasteful more conscious world, for both commercial and charity retailers.” Keen further noted the measurable improvements made in both front and back of house operations to minimize the environmental impact of their shops and expressed pride in being recognized alongside major commercial brands in the fashion sector.
The Drapers Conscious Fashion Awards, evolving from the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards originally launched in 2020, signify a broadening commitment within the fashion industry to incorporate sustainability into the very fabric of their operations. This shift acknowledges the inescapable necessity of sustainability in the current retail climate.
Jill Geoghegan, Editor at Drapers, emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by fashion retailers and their suppliers as they adopt sustainable practices. “Fashion retailers, brands and suppliers are rising to the immense challenges before them,” Geoghegan remarked. “They are embracing their responsibilities and ability to make a difference, despite challenging trading conditions. The Drapers Conscious Fashion Awards shine a spotlight on best practice within the industry and Drapers is proud to support and celebrate the positive change happening in fashion retail.”
Royal Trinity Hospice’s success at the Drapers Conscious Fashion Awards underscores the ongoing efforts within the charity retail sector to embrace sustainability while fulfilling their mission of supporting good causes through the sale of preloved items.
Source: Noah Wire Services
