These days, more companies are touting their zero-waste methods or even transitioning their business operations to more sustainable models. For Studio Twist, “zero waste” was never a marketing ploy: it’s just part of how we do business, and how we’ve operated from day one.

The goal of “zero waste” or waste minimization, as defined by the EPA, is “to conserve all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.” In an industry notorious for its environmental footprint, this can be a lofty goal and a hot-button topic, but one that Studio Twist has and always will reach for in our production processes. It’s right there in our tagline “made to order, made to last”.

First, there’s “made to order.” Every one of our blankets, throws, pillows and BedSok®, is made exactly to the specified size for fabrication. No allowance for waste is needed – we use the material as sized from the knitting machine. Cut yardage for traditional pillow fabrication can produce waste, but by eliminating waste, costs are reduced on a decorative pillow, reducing the need for raw materials.  Our throws and blankets are also made to size, with an integrated hem and selvedge – not a “cut and sew”, with the potential for extra fabric that is unused, or a stitched hem that can come undone in use.

Which brings us to “made to last,” something we also pride ourselves on. The durability of our product contributes to life cycle costing advantages, starting with our yarns. Our polypropylene and polyester yarns are inherently fire retardant and meet the most stringent fire codes, including IMO standards (International Maritime Organization) without additional treatment or retreatment over time.  All our products can be washed in cold water with short drying time, which requires less energy for upkeep.

Studio Twist fabrication is less than 15 miles from our knitting facility and less than 25 miles from the pillow insert producer, decreasing time and transportation.  Completed pillows are shipped from the fabricator. By eliminating travel between fabric mill to treatment facility and then to fabricator, costs are lowered, and total production time may be shortened.

We will continue working to help our hospitality and cruise clients make strides in sustainability, just as we’ve always done, and we’ll strive to always make improvements where we can do so. Not because of marketing — just because it’s what we do.