The RITE Group was formed in early 2007 in the aftermath of a landmark sustainable textiles conference organised by Dr Richard Blackburn and Dr Anna Harvey of the University of Leeds. For the first time ever, a large audience of academics, industry professionals, environmentalists, government representatives, designers and media were provided with a forum where they could discuss the environmental challenges facing the textile industry.

After the conference, Richard got together with John Mowbray of Ecotextile News and Phil Patterson, now of Colour Connections, to find a way of ensuring that those discussions could be improved by providing objective facts to those involved in sustainable textiles. The RITE Group was born.

Recognising the need to find the delicate balance of action and inclusion we set about forming a steering group that embraced all areas of the textile industry whilst being compact enough to make things happen. We also knew that in the early stages of the organisation we’d need to meet regularly, but since RITE is a global organisation, we had to select individuals with vast overseas experience and credibility – who would give their time free of charge! The three founders have been joined by a steering group of:

Lee Holdstock of the Soil Association; Michael Kininmonth of Lenzing Fibres; Derek McKelvey who represents the Textile Institute and SDC; Tom Podkolinski of outdoor brand Finisterre; Dorothy Maxwell of leading environmental consultancy GVSS; Dilys Williams, director of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at London College of Fashion; Sustainable cotton expert Simon Ferrigno; and John Murphy of Huntsman.

Vision

To provide advice and fact based information to reduce/minimise the negative environmental effects of the production, use and disposal of textiles. To drive forward the sustainable and ethical production of textiles and apparel throughout the global supply chain.

Objectives

Whilst recognising that we have to be flexible in our approach our objectives remain clear:

• Provide a forum for, and promote inter-disciplinary discussions on,
  sustainability/green debates;
• Promote best practice in reducing the impact of textiles on the environment
• Develop methods of objectively assessing the ‘greenness’ of textile production, processes, and products eventually through a scoring/grading system, developed through the Group, which considers full life cycle analysis.
• Develop clear, industry accepted, definitions of commonly used green/sustainability terms;
• Develop clear ways of objectively communicating ‘greenness’ information to consumers;
• Promote and encourage the use of scientific facts in all sustainability/green debates;
• Educate brands, retailers, manufacturers consumers, media and pressure groups to understand what is fact and what is hype;
• Work with accredited bodies (e.g. SDC, TI, RSC, etc.) towards the creation professional qualifications in sustainable textiles;
• Become the first point of contact for all involved in or interested in sustainable textiles;
• Promote and heighten awareness of the (sustainable/environmental and socially responsible) activities of its supporters to the global apparel supply chain and convince other textile and apparel companies to change accordingly;
• Organise an annual conference and support similar conferences which inform global delegates about the latest issues on sustainability in textiles, providing a platform for ‘excellence’;
• Through its conferences, events and supporters scheme raise revenues to fund other activities
  of the ‘Group’, such as ‘Awards of Excellence’, research and project sponsorship, and grants instigate collaborations.