Eco-Friendly Fabrics for Sustainable Interiors - David Walters: Exquisite Fabrics for Luxury Home Interiors

SUSTAINABILITY

People Planet Prosperity

David Walters are committed to the protection of the environment and reducing our impact on the natural world.

In May 2025, we were honoured to receive the King's Award for Enterprise, for our work on sustainable textile production. The King's Award for Enterprise recognises outstanding UK businesses and is the most prestigious business award in the country.

The sustainable development category demonstrates a company's commitment to conducting business in a way that benefits the environment, society, and the economy, and have achieved outstanding sustainable development practices over at least two years. We are proud to be recognised as pioneering sustainable development in our industry and wider community.

Sustainable Manufacturing

We believe in a responsible approach to product development, manufacturing, material supply and transportation - for example, through reduced energy consumption, improved resource conservation and minimising our waste, as well as reducing our carbon (scope 1+2+3) and water footprints.

We are proud to weave at Sudbury Silk Mills, the first UK Textile Manufacturer awarded OEKO-TEX® STeP certification.

OEKO-TEX® STeP stands for Sustainable Textile & Leather Production and certifies the manufacturing process for environmentally friendly and socially responsible production facilities. The requirements and criteria for OEKO-TEX® STeP certification are specially adapted to the significant challenges of the textile, leather, and clothing industry.

Chemical Management

The detection and prevention of negative chemical effects from our products. Full documentation of all chemicals used with clear policies in place.

Environmental Management & Performance

Having clear systems and documentation in place to achieve environmental objectives and improvements. Measuring and reducing our levels of energy, water and emissions.

Social Responsibility & Health and Safety

Maintaining the healthy working conditions of employees and the safety of the facilities. Compliance with legal requirements relating to labour and human rights.

Quality Management

Having concise documentation of risk assessments, systems and processes. The traceability and responsibility of all goods within the facility, and a commitment to ongoing improvement activity.

We actively encourage a more holistic approach to make progress as an industry, in line with global commitments.

Alongside the OEKO-TEX ® STeP certification we are also OEKO-TEX ® DETOX TO ZERO. This certification strives to eliminate hazardous chemicals from textile and leather production.

Dyes and Chemicals

All our dyestuffs are fully REACH compliant and entirely Azo-free, with signed declarations from chemical suppliers in compliance with the ZDHC MRSL.

Water

Our dye works uses state-of-the-art technology that oxidises 100% of the organic dyestuffs in the used dye liquor. Ultra-efficient pressurised cone-dyeing reduces the amount of water and dyestuffs required in the dyeing process.

Carbon Footprint

Through small and large scale energy efficiency projects, we have significantly reduced our carbon footprint since our baseline in 2001, and continue to work towards nett zero.

Waste

We only use raw materials to weave fabric as a direct response to customer demand, which eliminates overproduction of stock. We are a committed zero to landfill site, with the majority of our waste being recycled, repurposed and reused.

We remain a committed zero-landfill site and our waste reduction follows the principals of the 5R’s; Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle.

Taking responsibility

We set ourselves demanding requirements with regard to environmental protection, social responsibility and our commitment in the field of sustainable production conditions.

STeP stands for Sustainable Textile & Leather Production and certifies the manufacturing process for environmentally friendly and socially responsible production facilities. OEKO-TEX® STeP is an independent certification system that allows us to communicate our environmental measures externally in a credible and transparent way.

Read Our Responsibility Report 2024/25