Our mission is to design memorable and durable products that inspire self-expression and create a positive impact on people and the planet.

Ethically manufactured products are not just a question of sourcing eco-friendly materials. Every production involves a factory with human beings on the floor, co2 emissions from the rooftop and a carbon footprint from the transport to the final destination. As a manufacturing brand we cannot eliminate our co2 emission and the carbon footprint. But every day we can choose to go the most responsible way to reduce our processes’ impact on the planet and secure fair conditions for the human beings who work for our suppliers.

Responsible development and manufacturing

What is an Eco-friendly material? Free from harmful chemicals? Long lasting? Based on renewable resources? Recycled? Recyclable? All these questions are all equally important and reflected in Design Letters’ entire product development, supply chain and manufacturing. Why we have chosen biobased Ecozen® for our Travel Life collections and kids tableware instead of rubber and silicone? Because Ecozen® is not only based on renewable resources, it is also extremely durable and stays inviting for many years.

Our textile collection is based on GOTS certified and OEKO-TEX® standards which means that its not only the fabric which is organic, the staining and the printing are also grounded in a responsible mindset. From 2018 onwards we switched to FSC certified paper and lately we have launched a restructuring of our jewelry production which means that from March 2022 our jewelry design will be based on recycled silver.

This is just some examples of how we work. If you have any specific questions about our manufacturing process and supply chain you are always welcome to contact our department for sustainable procurement: responsibility@designletters.dk

The most sustainable products are those that are never thrown away.

Enduring design

Products from Design Letters are based on original design, developed from scratch by our design team in Copenhagen. This gives us the full control over all the ingredients used in the products. We like fashionable colours but beyond the aesthetics we are always considering how we can create long lasting design with highest possible functionality that makes the products relevant and useful for many years. Our tableware collection in Ecozen® has lifetime breakage guarantee and the entire to go collection is engineered for the purpose of replacing disposable food packaging. The porcelain collection from 2011 is also an example of extremely durability and a quality standard which makes the product last for generations to come. A personal cup which in addition reduces the need for daily dishwashing at home and at the office where people usually have a high consumption of cups and glasses throughout the day. 

Our pieces represent you in the current moment yet stand by you over time.

98% environmentally friendly transport

Since 2018 we have commited ourselves to using exclusively ship (80-90%) and train and as a mode of transport. Today our goods transport is 98% based on cargo shipping and train. The reason why it’s not 100% depends on the fact that we always have a small amount of product development samples that require air transport. To get closer to the 100% we have recently invested in a 3D printer which will further reduce the need to transport samples by air. 

The plastic free packaging revolution

In 2018 Design Letters® started a plastic free packaging revolution with the goal to be 100% free from disposable plastic within 5 years. Today 95% of our packaging is plastic-free and the remaining 5% is partly based on biodegradable and recycled plastic. We only use disposable plastic packaging for our jewelry, bedlinen and paper goods in order to protect these specific products best possible. It is our goal that the remaining 5% within a year will be 100% based on environmentally friendly plastic. 

If you come across a product from Design Letters wrapped in disposable plastic, the product was manufactured before 2018. Always remember to dispose of the packaging properly.

Transparency, trust and long term relationship

Since 2009 Design Letters has been working closely together with a very small circle of carefully selected suppliers. In fact, we only collaborate with 10 different suppliers across all product categories. Our suppliers are factory owners with whom we share a code of behavior which covers topics like environmentally gentle procurement and production, work environment and wage conditions. That said, there is always room for improvements and we regularly consult our partners for any opening for improvement. The plastic-free packaging policy from 2018 is a good example of the progressive cooperation we have with our suppliers. Our mutual understanding and common values are formally united in a code of conduct signed by our partners.

Is there room for improvement?Always. We are actively on it everyday.