Sustainability

At Onika Knitwear, sustainability begins with a simple belief: fewer, better things have greater value.

Every piece is created slowly and intentionally - from the choice of natural fibres to the way it is made and worn. The aim is not to produce more, but to create knitwear that lasts, feels meaningful, and becomes part of a life rather than a season.

Buy Less, Choose Well

The most sustainable garment is the one that is loved and worn for many years.

Onika Knitwear follows a seasonless approach, creating pieces that are made to last rather than to follow trends. Production remains intentionally small, allowing each piece to be made with care and without excess.

A texture of 100% Mongolian cashmere in natural white

Our Materials

Every Onika Knitwear piece begins with the fibre itself. Driven by a passion for exceptional natural materials, each yarn is carefully selected by the designer for its character, quality, and the beauty it acquires over time.

All yarns used in the handmade collection are sourced from Italian mills and are composed exclusively of certified natural fibres with independent third-party verification across fibre origin, animal welfare, and product safety.

Fibres used throughout the handmade collection include:

  • Cashmere - ICEA-certified
  • Mohair - RMS-certified, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified
  • Wool  - RWS-certified; GOTS-certified; OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified
  • Alpaca  - Alpaca Blend Mark; OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified 

The Italian mill supplying the majority of yarns used in the handmade collection publicly reports the following third-party verified environmental programmes:

  • ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) compliance
  • 4sustainability® protocol verification
  • Energy-efficiency initiatives and lower-impact energy sourcing
  • Water management and pollution reduction programmes

These are the yarn supplier's own verified programmes and do not constitute Onika Knitwear certifications or environmental claims.

Discover our materials

Responsible Production

The handmade collection is handcrafted in the Salzburg atelier by the founder and designer, with selected pieces created in limited collaboration with other artists - marked in the product and collection page. Production is carried out within a small, founder-led studio structure with no subcontracted labour for the handmade collection.

A small cashmere capsule is produced in limited quantities in collaboration with a small family-run atelier in Mongolia, chosen for its exceptional craftsmanship, technical expertise, and shared values of quality and responsible production.

This carefully considered approach allows the brand to maintain its artisanal foundation while producing consciously, in small quantities, and without excess.

Climate & Environmental Impact

Onika Knitwear’s environmental approach is defined by small-scale production, material choices, and intentionally limited output.

Low-waste production model
The brand operates on a made-to-order or very small-batch basis. This eliminates overproduction and avoids end-of-season deadstock or surplus inventory.

Natural fibre system
The collections are based on natural fibres such as cashmere, wool, mohair, and alpaca. These are biodegradable at end of life and do not contain synthetic blends or contribute to microplastic shedding during use.

Small-scale production footprint
The handmade collection is produced within a single, small atelier environment.
A small cashmere capsule is produced in limited quantities in collaboration with a long-standing family-run partner in Mongolia.

Upstream fibre processing
The majority of yarns are processed by suppliers that implement environmental programmes such as reduced energy consumption, renewable energy sourcing, and water impact reduction at the milling and dyeing stage. These initiatives belong to the respective suppliers (see Our Materials).

Shipping
Orders are shipped using established logistics providers including DHL Express and DPD, selected for their international logistics infrastructure and efficiency.

Carbon approach
Onika Knitwear does not publish emissions data. As a small, independent studio, the focus is on material choices, production scale, and long-term design decisions that keep impact inherently low rather than formal carbon accounting systems.

Packaging & Shipping

Onika Knitwear packaging is designed to be plastic-free and minimal across all shipping materials.

  • Shipping boxes are made in Poland from recycled cardboard. They are recyclable, produced using responsibly managed forestry resources, and designed for circular material use.
  • Orders are wrapped in protective tissue paper, recyclable, and produced using responsibly managed forestry resources.
  • Each handmade piece is accompanied by a complimentary organic cotton bag, produced by a Romanian NGO that supports the employment of people with disabilities. These bags are intended for long-term use and form part of the brand’s approach to durable, reusable packaging.
  • Brand labels are produced in Germany and are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified.

Shipping is carried out through DPD within Europe and DHL Express GoGreen for international orders.

Circularity & End of Life

Circularity at Onika Knitwear is embedded in the design process, with each piece created to remain in use for as long as possible.
Each garment is created with longevity in mind:

  • Hand-knitted from natural fibres selected for durability, comfort, and long-term wear.
  • The collections are designed to be seasonless.
  • Made exclusively from natural materials intended to biodegrade at end of life.

The focus is on creating pieces that remain in use for as long as possible, reducing the need for replacement, recycling, or return systems.
Care guidance is provided with each piece to support repair, longevity, and extended wear.
The brand operates on a slow production model built around intentional creation rather than volume or replacement cycles.

A Continuous Process

Sustainability is not static.
Each decision - from fibre selection to production methods - is continuously evaluated and refined. The goal is not perfection, but progress: creating knitwear that balances craftsmanship, responsibility, and longevity in a meaningful way.

Glossary

GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard

Certifies that textile products are made from natural fibres sourced from organic farming, free from synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms.

Mulesing Free

Mulesing is a controversial surgical procedure performed on sheep, to prevent flystrike by removing strips of skin around the tail area. The term "mulesing-free" ensures that the wool production avoids this practice, promoting more ethical and animal-friendly treatment of sheep

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

Is a global certification system for testing and verifying that textiles and accessories are free from harmful substances at all stages of processing.

Alpaca Blend Mark

This certification, from A.I.A., a Peruvian non-profit, ensures sustainable and ethical practices throughout the supply chain. It promotes economic, social, and environmental responsibility with a strong focus on protecting both local and global ecosystems.

RMS - Responsible Mohair Standard

Certify that wool and mohair-producing animals are treated humanely and that land management practices are sustainable.

RWS - Responsible Wool Standard

Certify that wool and mohair-producing animals are treated humanely and that land management practices are sustainable.

RAS - Responsible Alpaca Standard

Certify that wool and mohair-producing animals are treated humanely and that land management practices are sustainable.