Our Sustainability
Our Sustainability
Our 2025 pledge to build a responsible rugby lifestyle brand.
Made to Order, Made with Purpose
Every Hook & Flanker product is handmade when you order it.
We don’t overproduce or sit on piles of stock, we make exactly what’s needed, reducing waste and keeping quality at the centre of everything we do.
Handmade to Order
Every item is produced after your order is placed. No mass production, no unnecessary stock, just gear made for you, when you need it.
Made in the UK
All our embroidery and printing is done locally. Keeping production close to home means faster turnaround, lower emissions, and better oversight.
Woman-Owned Production Partner
We work with a UK-based, woman-owned production studio. It’s part of our long-term commitment to support ethical labour and underrepresented founders in the supply chain.
Commitments & Certifications
In a fast-changing world, we’ve made a clear commitment: to build rugby apparel that’s ethical, transparent, and built to last.
Some of our pieces are made using certified sustainable materials and for others, we’re still working on. But every product is built for longevity, and every decision moves us closer to a fully responsible range.
Certified Offerings With a Guarantee of Transparency and Quality
We guarantee that every item in our core collection meets the highest environmental and social standards in the industry — including GOTS, GRS, and OEKO-TEX certifications.
Our certified suppliers provide full traceability and an uncompromising commitment to quality, ethics, and transparency — so you know exactly what you're wearing.
Note: Our Heavy Fleeces and Micro Fleeces are not yet made with certified materials. They’re designed to last — and we’re actively exploring more sustainable alternatives without compromising the style and feel you love.
GOTS
Global Organic Textile Standard. The most stringent certification for textiles made from organic fibres, covering the entire process from the transformation of the organic fibre to ecologically and socially responsible manufacturing. * The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certificate is issued by Ecocert Greenlife, licence N°165651.
OCS 100
Products certified to the Organic Content Standard (OCS) contain organically grown materials that have been verified at every stage of the supply chain, from source to end product. Products certified to the Organic Content Standard 100 (OCS 100) contain at least 95% of certified organically grown materials.
OCS Blended
Products certified to the Organic Content Standard (OCS) contain organically grown materials that have been verified at every stage of the supply chain, from source to end product. OCS-certified products contain between 5% and 94% certified organic content.
RCS Blended
Products certified to the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) contain recycled materials that have been verified at every stage of the supply chain, from source to end product. Products certified under the Recycled Claim Standard Blended (RCS Blended) contain between 5% and 94% certified recycled materials.
GRS
Products certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) contain recycled materials that have been verified at every stage of the supply chain, from source to end product. In addition, the facilities from the recycler to the end supplier have met the social, environmental and chemical requirements.
RWS
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) verifies the animal welfare and land management requirements for wool and follows its journey from the farm to the end product.
OEKO-TEX
STANDARD 100 certificate issued by OEKO-TEX® - Accreditations No. CQ 1007/7 and No. CQ 1007/8. Guarantees the absence of any harmful substances or those that may pose a threat to human health or the environment.
The Materials We Use
Every Hook & Flanker product starts with a decision. We choose materials that balance comfort, performance, and responsibility so you can wear gear that’s built to last and built with care.
Organic Cotton
Why we use it: Grown without harmful chemicals, organic cotton uses less water and protects soil health. It’s better for the planet and feels just as good on your skin.
Certifications: GOTS, OEKO-TEX
Recycled Cotton
Why we use it: Recycled cotton gives second life to offcuts and post-consumer waste. It’s soft, breathable, and helps reduce landfill.
Certifications: GRS, OCS
Recycled Polyester
Why we use it: Made from post-consumer plastic bottles, recycled polyester helps keep waste out of landfills — without compromising durability.
Certifications: GRS
Reclaimed Metals
Why we use it: These small details matter. Wherever possible, we use reclaimed or repurposed metals to avoid unnecessary raw material use.
Polartherm Polyester
Why we use it: Polartherm provides warmth, softness, and structure. While it’s not a sustainable fabric, it’s long-lasting and reliable — and we’re actively exploring greener alternatives for future fleece production.
ActiveWear Polyester
Why we use it: This lighter-weight polyester is made for movement — breathable, quick-drying, and perfect for layering. While not recycled, it offers durability and versatility for activewear-style products.
Recycled Packaging
Every order is shipped in recycled plastic packaging, chosen for durability and sustainability.
We keep things minimal with no excessive inserts, no unnecessary extras, just what’s needed to protect your gear and reduce waste.
Recycled Plastic Packaging
Every order is shipped in recycled plastic mailers chosen for durability and environmental impact. It protects your kit without adding unnecessary waste.
Mindful Packaging Choices
We keep our packaging simple — but purposeful. As we grow, we’ll be introducingfunctional insertsmade fromrecycled or recyclable materialsto help you get more from your order, without adding unnecessary waste.
Less Plastic. More Progress.
By avoiding overpackaging and single-use extras, we reduce the plastic footprint of every order. It’s one more step toward a cleaner future for the sport and the planet.
Carbon-Neutral Shipping
We offset the carbon footprint of every delivery, from our studio to your doorstep.
Through Shopify Planet, we're able to measure the exact emissions from our shipments and fund trusted carbon removal projects in real time.
This isn't just a badge. It's measurable impact, backed by data.
We're proud to start here and even more focused on reducing emissions at the source as we grow.
What's Next at Hook & Flanker
We’re proud of where we are but we’re not stopping here. Here’s what’s coming next in our sustainability journey:
Full Sustainability Audit (In Progress)
We’ve partnered with a third-party auditor to review our entire supply chain, packaging, and production impact. Once complete, we’ll publish the full report including the wins, the gaps, and our plan to do better.
More Sustainable Products
We’re actively working to replace non-certified fabrics with more responsible alternatives without compromising quality. Our fleece range is top priority. You’ll see updates in the year ahead.
Made to Order, Always
We’ll continue to use a made-to-order model for select products to reduce waste, avoid overstock, and keep our range intentional. No bulk dumping. No seasonal landfill.
