LIVING
THE RUG COMPANY
Founded on the belief that luxury is determined through respect for craftsmanship, community and creative design, The Rug Company is renowned for crafting the finest rugs in the world. With a modern approach to age-old techniques, each collection continues to reinvent the notion of interior design with its innovative vision. Their in-house studio pioneers every design with unparalleled expertise while collaborating with some of the world’s leading creatives, who continue to expand their offering with their unique vision.
SUSTAINABILITY PURPOSE
The Rug Company are conscious of how their rugs impact the planet and are committed to their vision of delivering ethical and environmentally conscious design. Powered by artisan craftsmanship, considered partnerships and consistent evaluation, the brand is ensuring the longevity of its product and supporting the rights of its staff throughout the entire supply chain of the company.
Established
1997
Headquarters
London
Categories
Luxury Rug Company
Employees
118
Website
Distribution
Worldwide
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT CARD
Click below to see the detailed breakdown of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. The Rug Company has been comprehensively assessed and scored against all key areas of sustainability, including impact on climate, nature and water, treatment of workers and communities as well as how ethically the business is run. Performance is assessed against international agreements, global frameworks, standards and legislation.
REAL CHANGE IN ACTION
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING
The Rug Company is the biggest importer of rugs from Nepal, and through its sustainable code of conduct, it is able to support and champion Nepal’s long and proud tradition of ethical Tibetan weaving. In operations, it ensures that workers have freedom of association, that their employment is freely chosen and workers are provided living wages, with working conditions that are safe and hours not excessive, as well as no discrimination, harsh or inhumane treatment. Since 2007, The Rug Company has been a member of Goodweave, which provides additional validation that ensures that there is no child or forced labour use it their production.
WATER MANAGEMENT
The Rug Company has chosen to work with manufacturing partners who are ISO 9001 certified, and who have invested in Zero Discharge Water management systems to substantially reduce its environmental footprint for water use. All colourants used on the yarns comply with the Ecological and Toxicological Association for Dyes (ETAD) and and the Organic Pigments Manufacturer’s guidelines, which control the impact of organic colorants and pigment composition on health and the environment, including on discharged water. To further protect the ecosystems it works within, water at the dyeing and washing centres is tested bi-annually, and in the rare event that any test fails, the company takes remedial action and then re-tests to ensure is meeting the highest standards.
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
With a team of over 100, The Rug Company utilise platforms such as Percipio to help train and upskill their employees in a structured way. Employees complete mandatory training such as unconscious bias, as well as having access to hundreds of resources on broader topics – from management training to excel shortcuts in order to help them day-to-day. Staff also have access to a handbook which covers policies and procedures. To help with broader development, The Rug Company also has a formal process for performance feedback that ensures everyone receives clear feedback which is then translated into written guidance for career development, corresponding to clearly identified and achievable goals.
REPORTING
During its certification journey with Positive Luxury, The Rug Company worked to extend its Responsible Trading page to outline its sustainability journey and has developed its first sustainability report. This communicated about key areas across its sourcing and operations, as well as how it is championing sustainability internally through employee education and company management. In the report (which can be found on The Rug Company’s website) the brand talks to its ethos, the production of its products including supply chain management and material choices as well as their targets for reduction and their relationship key partners.
The Rug Company is the biggest importer of rugs from Nepal, and through its sustainable code of conduct, it is able to support and champion Nepal’s long and proud tradition of ethical Tibetan weaving. In operations, it ensures that workers have freedom of association, that their employment is freely chosen and workers are provided living wages, with working conditions that are safe and hours not excessive, as well as no discrimination, harsh or inhumane treatment. Since 2007, The Rug Company has been a member of Goodweave, which provides additional validation that ensures that there is no child or forced labour use it their production.
The Rug Company has chosen to work with manufacturing partners who are ISO 9001 certified, and who have invested in Zero Discharge Water management systems to substantially reduce its environmental footprint for water use. All colourants used on the yarns comply with the Ecological and Toxicological Association for Dyes (ETAD) and and the Organic Pigments Manufacturer’s guidelines, which control the impact of organic colorants and pigment composition on health and the environment, including on discharged water. To further protect the ecosystems it works within, water at the dyeing and washing centres is tested bi-annually, and in the rare event that any test fails, the company takes remedial action and then re-tests to ensure is meeting the highest standards.
With a team of over 100, The Rug Company utilise platforms such as Percipio to help train and upskill their employees in a structured way. Employees complete mandatory training such as unconscious bias, as well as having access to hundreds of resources on broader topics – from management training to excel shortcuts in order to help them day-to-day. Staff also have access to a handbook which covers policies and procedures. To help with broader development, The Rug Company also has a formal process for performance feedback that ensures everyone receives clear feedback which is then translated into written guidance for career development, corresponding to clearly identified and achievable goals.
During its certification journey with Positive Luxury, The Rug Company worked to extend its Responsible Trading page to outline its sustainability journey and has developed its first sustainability report. This communicated about key areas across its sourcing and operations, as well as how it is championing sustainability internally through employee education and company management. In the report (which can be found on The Rug Company’s website) the brand talks to its ethos, the production of its products including supply chain management and material choices as well as their targets for reduction and their relationship key partners.
Standards & Accreditations
To provide evidence of sustainability performance across luxury companies' full value chain, 180+ memberships, accreditations and specialist certifications are taken into account during assessment
ISO 14001 Environmental Management
ISO 9001 Quality Management
JOURNEY SO FAR
03/2023
Awarded Butterfly Mark certification
03/2023
Final assessment submitted
05/2022
Risk mapping
04/2022
Baseline score submitted
01/2022
Started assessment
A WORD FROM THE CEO
Receiving the Butterfly Mark accreditation is a momentous achievement for The Rug Company and is a testament to our unwavering dedication to sustainability. This milestone does by no means signify the end of our journey with Positive Luxury. We remain fully committed to upholding the highest standard of ESG+ and to continually evaluate our efforts.
JAMES SEUSS
CEO
WHY POSITIVE LUXURY
As a global brand, we understand our responsibility in upholding a sustainable business model and hope that by partnering with Positive Luxury, we will succeed in evaluating our efforts and strategy and establish an environmentally and ethically progressive path.
JAMES SEUSS
CEO