Sustainability
At Baa Stool, we’re committed to sustainability by creating baaeautiful, long-lasting products that are ethically sourced and safe for you and your home. We take sustainability seriously but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring! Here’s how we’re making a positive impact while keeping things flocking fabulous. Baa Stool stays true to our promise of producing only ethically sourced, and sustainable and sheepskin rugs and home accessories. Which is why we work with nature to produce the best natural fibres.
Sustainable Production
Our UK sheepskins are sourced from the last remaining commercial tannery in the UK, who have been producing sheepskins in the small town of Buckfastleigh on the edge of Dartmoor, in Devon, for some 200 years.
Our NZ sheepskin comes from a tannery that’s a proud member of SEDEX (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit), one of the world’s leading ethical trade organisations. Every year, they’re independently checked by SMETA to ensure top-notch health and safety, fair treatment of workers, and sustainable practices.
Energy – Powered by Sunshine & Smart Thinking
Our supplier of NZ sheepskins work hard to keep their energy use as low as possible. Here’s how:
- Solar power heats up 2 million litres of water in the tannery every single week.
- Recycled heat from drying rooms creates hot water, while cold air is repurposed for air conditioning.
- The tannery has ditched their coal boiler in favour of natural gas, massively reducing it’s carbon footprint.
Water – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Water is a big part of sheepskin production, and our NZ sheepskin supplier has been cutting back in a big way—saving an average of 15% per year over the last five years! They’ve done this by:
- Reusing and recycling 70% of the water used in production.
- Installing a state-of-the-art water treatment plant that goes above and beyond environmental requirements.
- Treating 100% of their water before it even reaches the local water system.
Recycling – Making the Most of Every Bit
The tannery loves giving materials a second life! Recycling isn’t just good for the planet—it helps them be more efficient too. Here’s how they do it:
- 95% of the salt used in the curing process is recovered and reused.
- Biowaste and grease from their dry-clean plant don’t go to waste.
- Wooden pallets, empty drums, plastic, and cardboard are recycled or repurposed.
Minimal Chemicals – Keeping Things Safe & Sustainable
The leather industry is constantly working to reduce the use of chemicals in the tanning process, making products safer for your home and the planet. Some of their achievements include:
- Using new enzyme technology to cut down on detergents and surfactants by 30%.
- Recycling chemicals to reduce overall usage by 15% every year.
- Lower chemical levels in wastewater exceeding environmental regulations.
- Meeting the OEKO-TEX LEATHER STANDARD, meaning our products are safe for skin contact.
Cutting Emissions – Thinking Big, Acting Small
We love that our NZ based supplier are always looking for ways to shrink their carbon footprint:
- Their solar-powered water heating system produces zero emissions.
- They choose sea freight over air freight, as it emits 33 times less CO₂.
Nothing Goes to Waste – Giving Scraps a Second Life
We make the most of every sheepskin, even the bits that others might throw away! Scraps and offcuts are transformed into stunning, long-lasting pieces because sustainability should be stylish.
By making smart, eco-conscious choices every step of the way, we’re ensuring that Baa Stool is as sustainable as it is fabulous. Thank you for supporting a brand that cares one fluffy stool at a time!
Ethically Sourced, Naturally Fabulous
At Baa Stool, ethical sourcing is at the heart of everything we do. It’s in our DNA! All our sheepskins are a by-product of the meat industry, sheep are not bred for their skins. We believe in making the most of nature’s resources while ensuring our practices are as kind and sustainable as possible.
Our sheepskins come from the UK and New Zealand, countries that proudly hold the world’s highest Global Animal Protection Index rating. Why? Because British and New Zealand’s farms are:
- Some of the greenest on the planet, with sheep roaming freely in stunning open pastures.
- Held to incredibly high environmental standards, including the AsureQuality certification and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
- Recognised for top-tier animal welfare, both with ‘A’ ratings on the Global Animal Protection Index.