SUSTAINABILITY
Mount Vic and Me® has taken a sustainable approach to business from the outset. In fact, my previous (pre-marriage, pre-kids) business was Kara Smith Handbags, where I crafted beautiful bags from vintage and recycled fabrics, using up everything from tiny fabric scraps to old buttons and buckles.
My long-held interest in sustainability is evident at home, where we run on solar, have four water tanks in place, keep chooks and grow an abundance of herbs and vegetables. When it came to establishing Mount Vic and Me, seeking out eco solutions was automatic.
To help ensure each product I design takes it easy on the environment, I keep as many aspects of the work as local as possible. The cutting, sewing and packing of all tea towels and cushions is done in Australia. All other packaging is hand-collated in the studio attached to our retail space, and the printing companies we work with are environmentally responsible.
In-store the focus is on responsible consumerism, achieved by supporting products that are either made locally or carry the Australian Made logo. The long-term goal here is to contribute to re-growing Australian manufacturing, which in turn will open up more opportunities for effective green solutions.
Recycling is a natural element of Mount Vic and Me’s everyday operations and our small team is always on the lookout for even greener packaging and printing solutions. When it comes to stockists, we are aligned with businesses that have a similar ethos to us.
Mount Vic and Me has Australian Made campaign accreditation for several products, including Blue Mountains Socks, cushion covers, tea towels and stationery. When you buy a product from Mount Vic and Me, you can rest assured that it is made with great care in Australia and is helping to support a small business.
Photo: Amanda Starr photography
