Sustainable Journey

OUR SUSTAINABLE JOURNEY....

Sustainability is a complex, intricate issue, and understanding it requires serious research and energy—plus even more research and energy to put it all into practice. For some of us, sustainability has to do with a brand’s environmental impact, while others focus on social justice or the support of economies. Truthfully, for Pony Rider, sustainability is an overarching term that encompasses all of the above. We’ve come a long way down the sustainable road since our inception in 2009; and while we're really proud of what we’ve implemented to date, we’ve also got a range of strategies in place for long-term change right across our business. This is where we're up to on our journey so far...

OUR CERTIFICATION

We work closely with a range of factories both local and offshore. All of them are an intimate relationship that ensures we are closely connected to the product development and the well being of the people we work with.

We ensure our factories comes with ethical and sustainable creditation. We're BSCI certified, we work with manufacturers that support responsible manufacturing practices; and are constantly evaluating better ways to communicate and create a clear and transparent line of manufacturing.

We are currently processing a BCORP standard and hope to be certified within the year. This is an on-going terms of trade, and we are always looking for better ways to make gear that is as low impact as possible.

OUR COMMUNITY

It's our community and our people that make our business thrive. We work cohesively with community groups to support those around us, bringing their products to market. Our flagship supports local makers and we work with local craftsmen and women to create unique products that enhance a 'slow' lifestyle/fashion mentality.

We’ve also built our business around ensuring our own Pony Rider family prospers along the way too. We use Australian based services wherever possible and have enjoyed an ongoing relationship with them since inception in 2009.

We use natural fibres on 92% of our product

PRODUCT VALUES

Certified Gear

Our gear is certified to ensure we maintain a high standard of manufacturing. We ensure our product is both ethically and sustainably manufactured.

BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE

BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future. We ignited using BCI since 2020.

PRODUCT PACKAGING

Our packaging uses bio-degradable satchels & calico bags for storing our products. We like you to reuse these bags ie. handy storage for food items or jewellery.

Upcycled Gear

By recycling old truck canvas and creating new garments, we have given new life to an old unused fabric. This program of upcycled styles is available each season and has beomce a staple of Pony Rider and our vision.

Organic Cotton

As part of our Organic Bedding Range we use exclusive organic cotton canvas and percale. Developed by us and made in India, we’ve spent years working to create bedding that is spun, knitted to our exact specifications and representative of the global organic textile standard. Essentially, our Organic Bedding Range is GOTS certified, which means that it contains a minimum of 95% certified organic fibre; a natural fibre, which is biodegradable, recyclable and produced without pesticides.

Responsible Down

When it comes to our cushion inners, we’ve made the choice to safeguard the welfare of geese and ducks that provide down and feathers for the products we all love. We aim to ensure that the down and feathers we use comes from animals that aren’t subjected to unecessary harm.

We Plant Trees

Through local production we’re able to reduce our carbon footprint by offsetting our transport to and from our suppliers with Greenfleet, a carbon neutral non-profit organisation that plants trees as a carbon alternative. Every little bit helps.

Aussie Wool

We know that short supply chains ensure product doesn’t have to travel far between our makers and the Pony Rider warehouse. Wool is it’s own natural, breathable fibre and we work with a local wool mill, which has sustainable manufacturing practices to create all our blankets.

Natural Fibres

We also use natural fabrics, one of the most biodegradable fibres available is derived from the fast growing flax plant. Every part of the flax plant has traditionally been used to create a worthwhile product – nothing is wasted, and production is cost effective.

AS WE PROGRESS FORWARD WE LOOK BEHIND AND SEE THE TRAIL WE LEAVE

Where are we heading?

Our goals are extensive and forever growing as the landscape changes and as we learn. Here is a snapshot of some of our current values we are working on, what we stand for, and how we see things moving forward in our current community.

COMMUNITY VALUES

Community

We love working with other local business and craftsmen and women, we have supported lots of local Australian business on our way. Where possible we try to engage our immediate community through events and supporting local give back programs

Give Back

The National Project is our give back program to the National Parks and Wildlife. We are super excited about this program donating one percent of sales via the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife to support our projects. The Hut Project is about restoring our walking huts and the seedling project aims to help rejuvenate our native plants .

Indigenous RAP

We recently connected with our local indigenous friends to work on our RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan). This RAP is an itemised list that documents our intentions for the business and a structured approach to advanced reconciliation. At its heart we want to strengthen our relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders and how we can move forward together.

Wellness

We have a focus on our staff, building wellness into our team structure and business philosophy. We host workshops and staff activation days that inspire a deeper connection with self, ensure the business vales match the staff and push forward for a more conscious space.

Durability

Durability is a massive value of the brand, and it’s a philosophy on well-made gear that inspires slow living – what the hell does this mean? Don’t buy gear that won't last. Buy gear that will last the test of time, and if it doesn’t, then return it to the source.

Education

We love inspiring our customers with lifestyle awareness. We also love learning and inspiring our team to be more. One of our practices are monthly conscious growth workshops, we do these within our community and we reach out to people that inspire us. Learning is a key value to us.