A Greener Future, One Garment at a Time

At Carmina Design Co., we care deeply about the world we live in—and the footprint we leave behind. As a design and manufacturing studio based in London, Ontario, we’ve seen firsthand how wasteful the fashion industry can be across all stages of development. That’s why sustainability isn’t just a side project for us. It’s embedded in every phase of our process—from concept and design development to production and delivery.

Engineered for Sustainability, Designed for Impact

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The fashion industry generates immense amounts of waste—even at small production scales. At Carmina Design Co., we knew from the beginning that if we were going to make clothing, we had to make it differently.

That’s why we’ve engineered our production systems to reduce waste, conserve energy, and support long-term careers in Canadian garment manufacturing. Our sustainability efforts aren’t static. They’re measured, intentional, and continuously evolving.

We track every scrap saved from landfill using a proprietary tool that converts total fabric weight into an equivalent number of trees saved. This makes the environmental benefit of circular production visible and quantifiable.

Partnering with us means contributing to a fashion system that values circular design, ethical labor, and sustainable growth.

✅ Sustainable Manufacturing Practices in Canada

♻️ How We Repurpose Garment Scraps into New Products

Circularity starts in our studio. We save leftover scraps from every production run—no matter how small—and turn them into new, functional pieces like:

  • Pot planters

  • Decorative pillows

  • Apparel accents

We don’t rely on deadstock or post-consumer waste. Instead, we work with what we produce, minimizing off-cuts and repurposing as much as possible.

"We started saving every scrap thinking we’d find recycling partners—but learned quickly that sustainable disposal is expensive, especially for small businesses. That led us to build our own solutions. Today, these scraps are not wasted. They’re raw materials for something new."
Carmina, Founder

 

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 Measuring the Impact of Waste Reduction

At Carmina Design Co., we use a custom-built tracking tool to monitor the total weight of fabric scraps saved from each production run. This tool estimates the number of trees preserved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from textile waste. In addition to fabric off-cuts, we measure the environmental footprint of our zero-waste products by weighing each garment. These data points help quantify the value of sustainable product design and circular manufacturing. We're committed to tracking every production run to ensure we’re actively meeting our environmental goals—while giving clients a clear, measurable way to understand the real impact of low-waste fashion practices.

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📐 Calculate Your Environmental Impact

Curious how your leftover fabric could help the planet? Use our calculator to see how many trees your scraps could save from landfill emissions.

Energy Efficient Garment Production Facility

Our facility is designed with energy-efficient systems that align with our low-impact goals:
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  • LED and natural lighting to minimize electricity use
  • Servo-driven sewing machines that consume 60–80% less energy than conventional models
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  • An automated cutting system that contributes to studio heating in colder months
We also partner with Bullfrog Power to offset 100% of our electricity usage with renewable energy, supporting sustainable projects in local and Indigenous communities.
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Low-Waste Production & Garment Maker Training in Canada

Every garment is laid out with precision to minimize waste. Any remaining scraps are turned into new, small-batch products or used for prototyping and skills training. Our waste reuse program supports:

  • Product development for accessories and small items
  • On-site training for aspiring garment makers
  • A long-term vision to build Canada's skilled labor pool in sustainable manufacturing

Ethical Work, Creative Teams

We believe sustainability starts with the people who make our garments—and that ethical working conditions are fundamental to building a better fashion industry. That’s why we’re committed to creating a supportive, safe, and empowering environment for everyone on our team.

We empower skill development at every level of the organization, because a strong, sustainable fashion industry depends on skilled, healthy, and valued workers. Our zero-waste program also provides space for team members to express their creativity—experimenting with scraps to develop new ideas, techniques, and small product innovations.

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Community, Culture & Collaboration in Sustainable Fashion

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Supporting Local Fashion & Inclusive Talent

We’re proud to work with diverse local talent and community organizations. Our team reflects a wide range of backgrounds, and we foster a workplace rooted in respect, equity, and creativity. We also support local initiatives that uplift and empower—because true sustainability must include people.

Partnering With Sustainable Fashion Brands
We partner closely with designers and fashion entrepreneurs to help them create consciously from the ground up. Whether it's advice on sustainable fabrics or zero-waste cutting, we’re here to help you build better.

We also offer a clothing recycling program, inviting customers to return worn-out garments for proper disposal or repurposing.

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Start Your Sustainable Fashion Project With Us

The fashion world doesn’t need more waste—it needs more care, creativity, and collaboration.That’s the future we’re building at Carmina.