Since we launched publicly in October 2021, we've been grappling with our relationship with sustainability.
As you know, we're keen on transparency so we thought we’d share an update on where we’re at.
]]>As you know, we're keen on transparency so we thought we’d share an update on where we’re at.
Our brand values
Conscious of the impact many clothing brands can have on the environment, we are trying to address this through pre-order sales and limited production runs to ensure that each clothing item ordered has a purpose and a life outside of landfill.
We do our best to champion the cycle to work agenda, and advocate for greener methods of transport. Offering an alternative to head-to-toe lycra, M1LE offers people high quality items that are appropriate for the workplace and on the go.
Outdoor exercise is fantastic for your physical and mental wellbeing – and what a joy to save money on your commute and contribute towards decreasing carbon emissions in the process.
We encourage people from all walks of life to ride bikes more often through accessible and multi-use wardrobe staples which eliminate the need for multiple outfit changes and shower facilities along the commute.
Our product offering
We can't escape the fact that our first collection of trousers have been made with 100% virgin polyester – a plastic-based textile which is not great for the environment. We chose virgin polyester because we could guarantee that our textile could be recycled for re-use in the future.
Recycled polyester uses 59% less energy than virgin polyester when produced, but often recycled polyester has to be blended with other fibres (often virgin) to reinforce them, which means that it may be more difficult – and sometimes impossible – to recycle them again.
For our first collection of Women's trousers and the next version of Men's, we've introduced a new fabric blend of 57% recycled polyester with 43% virgin polyester. This is still not perfect, but we believe this is a step in the right direction.
We also invite wearers to return their trousers once they’re finished with them so M1LE can repurpose and recycle them. So far, our recycling initiatives have included producing a limited run of shorts in summer 2022, and beginning to build a jacket from factory off-cuts and recycled trousers.
Our trousers are coated with a water repellent chemical treatment called DWR C0 80/10 – this specific coating is vegetable-based and PFC-free. It is one of the least 'evil' of general DWR coatings, but we continue to search for a better solution. For comparison, Patagonia uses a C6 DWR coating and have detailed their ‘DWR problem’ here.
Beyond our trousers
We use plastic in our packaging and accessories – stickers and Ass Savers specifically. Luckily the Ass Savers can be recycled. Our recent t-shirt collaboration with World Bicycle Relief UK used 100% GOTS accredited cotton and we sent these in compostable mailer bags.
Our post boxes and compliment cards are made from virgin cardboard which needs improvement, and we use 100% compostable mailer bags for small items. We’re on the hunt for premium eco-friendly solutions across our logistics, and always welcome feedback.
Our Plan Going Forward
Currently, we are working with a Greenhouse Gas auditing start-up to complete a full GHG audit of our business to date to set achievable and transparent climate goals for M1LE going forward. We’ll post another blog at that stage with an updated action plan.
We plan to upgrade all textiles and components in our collection to be made from recycled materials entirely by 2024. We also aim to have upgraded our packaging and shipping services by that stage too.
Future products
After a lot of soul searching, we have reached the conclusion that producing trousers from recycled polyester is, at the very least, saving energy and absorbing plastic waste from landfills / the oceans to be recycled into fibres for our clothing.
While we can’t guarantee that they will be fully recyclable after you’ve worn them, we can instead focus on developing a durable, heavy enough textile that is hardy enough to survive your commute and many years on the go.
We’ll also offer a renew and repair service for all products, which will be managed by a third party provider.
Finally, we’d also like to remind you that, if you have bought a pair of 100% virgin polyester trousers from us, please do return them when you’re finished with them. We can recycle them and reuse all of the trims for future projects.
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If you have any questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you: hello@onemilelondon.com
In the beginning of December 2022, London-based cycling race team One Life Cycle travelled to Mexico City to race the inaugural Track or Die Alleycat. A brief ride report from team rider, Mat, who also tested out the M1LE trousers live.
]]>In the beginning of December 2022, London-based cycling race team One Life Cycle travelled to Mexico City to race the inaugural Track or Die Alleycat.
Team riders Mat and Claudio were both prepared and focused on doing their very best! Mexico streets are dangerous and tested them to their very limit.
Over 120 racers took part with Mat and Claudio coming in top ten – with Claudio taking 3rd Out of Towner. A fantastic result for the team.
Mat says; “This race gave me a chance to wear my M1LE LONDON trousers and to test them out live. Apart from their comfort it’s the reflective markings on the backside that I was most impressed with. We had sections of the race where we were exposed on motorways and knowing my backside was shining brightly made me feel very seen and safe!"
]]>Thank you for your continued support and feedback. M1LE is nothing without both its community (that's you!) and the group of incredibly talented freelancers behind-the-scenes who've been so generous with their time.
Speaking of behind the scenes... 90% of the year, M1LE is a team of one. I work during my toddler's naps, part-time daycare, evenings and on the weekend.
Every message you send, every purchase you make – it all comes through to me. I love hearing from everyone, and I can't thank you all enough for making this small brand possible and bringing it to life over the last 18 months.
The remaining 10% of the year is a time of intense collaboration with a group of likeminded creatives spent developing and building new clothing ideas.
Without these people, M1LE would still be a 'What if?' idea rattling around the depths of my brain. Thank you Helen, Jacob, Emi, Pete, Jerome, Heather, Cathy, Annie, Sarah, Sam, Liam, John, Stefan, Charlie, Chloe, and Lewis.
Now, for some news.
The next product M1LE is bringing out is a Women's trouser, plus a wider range of colours and sizes for the Men's trouser. We will be running a pre-order system for these products to keep waste to a minimum, and will be in touch in the New Year with launch dates.
Both of these products are being built because you requested them. Our designers tweak the products to match what you guys ask for. If there's a detail you think we are missing, please let me know.
If you've been patiently waiting for news about the Women's trouser, please sign up here.
It will add your name to an internal contact list, so you won't need to do anything else after that. I'll email you in January with specific Women's news.
That's it for now. Wishing you a wonderful Festive Season with your loved ones.
Megan x
]]>At the start of each year, M1LE partners with a charity to raise awareness of the good work they do, supporting their fundraising efforts through activities on our channels. This coming year, we'll be fundraising for World Bicycle Relief UK...
]]>At the start of each year, M1LE partners with a charity to raise awareness of the good work they do, supporting their fundraising efforts through activities on our channels.
Previously we worked with The New Normal to promote the benefits cycling can have on mental wellbeing, with many of you sharing your own stories from the saddle.
This coming year, we'll be fundraising for World Bicycle Relief UK – an international, non-profit organisation that specialises in large-scale, comprehensive bicycle distribution programmes to aid poverty relief in rural regions around the world.
World Bicycle Relief empowers people and communities through life-changing bicycles. The charity mobilises communities and empowers students, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs with specially-designed, locally assembled, rugged bicycles. With reliable, sustainable transportation, people are empowered with more choices and opportunities, allowing them to transform their lives.
Help us help them to reach their goal of delivering 1 million bicycles by 2025.
You may have noticed that at checkout we invite you to spare a few extra £ to donate to one of three charities. World Bicycle Relief UK is already listed and will continue to be.
In each order we'll be distributing a flyer which has a QR code you scan – this will direct you straight to our fundraising page. There are no fees to donate via this option, so please consider donating this way if you can.
We'll also have a limited edition T-shirt for sale from January, with 100% of profits from the sale going straight to World Bicycle Relief UK. Watch this space!
]]>To mark the occasion we want to share with you what we’ve learnt so far. But first, let’s backtrack a little.
]]>One year. 365 days of existence.
To mark the occasion we want to share with you what we’ve learnt so far.
But first, let’s backtrack a little.
At 12:00 on 28 July 2021 we launched M1LE on Kickstarter. By 00:00 on the 31st we were fully funded.
In just three days, enough of you believed in what we wanted to do to put your hand in your pocket and support us.
By August, we placed our very first order for 500 trousers. And just a few weeks later, the first pairs of M1LE trousers were out and about earning their keep – keeping their owners comfortable and dry.
Between then and now we’ve been featured on the BBC Homepage, you’ve helped us raise awareness and funds for peer-to-peer grief and mental health charity The New Normal, and we experimented with developing a pair of shorts to combat the summer heatwave.
The most surprising thing so far in this whole story has been the level of debate that our back pockets have ignited. Probably the last thing that we were expecting. Some of you love them, some of you want them gone – either way everyone has something to say about them. So we’ve upgraded the existing collection to secure the pesky pockets down inside permanently should you hate the sight of them.
Our plan for year two will be increasing our sizing options for more diverse body shapes, and legs long and short – plus, fundraising for the long awaited Women’s version. As a team of 90% women, we’re embarrassed we didn’t predict this demand. Hopefully their debut will fulfill your greatest expectations.
Thank you to the original 60 Kickstarter backers who brought this project to life, and thank you to all of you who've joined us along the way on this journey so far.
We hope that you stick with us through the coming year, and many more to come.
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