Manufacturing Smarter — How to Practically Approach Sustainability

At Charming, we've always believed that good business and sustainable practices go hand in hand. Whether it's helping brands design smarter, lower-impact trims or investing in greener operations ourselves, we're committed to thoughtful, sustainable manufacturing.

And lately, we've made a pretty sunny upgrade.

Powering Charming production with solar

We've made a major investment in renewable energy, installing solar panels across our factory rooftops in China. Since December 2024, we've been generating clean, renewable energy every single month directly from our own roof. The results:

• 4,400 m² of rooftop solar panels
• 100,000 kWh of solar energy generated monthly

That's enough energy to power a needle loom non-stop for 3,600 hours or 150 days of continuous production. It's a milestone we're proud of and one that supports both our bottom line and our broader goal: making quality products without unnecessary waste.

How to make your manufacturing more

sustainable

While our solar investment is one way we're reducing our own impact, we know sustainability doesn't start or end with solar panels. No matter your company's size, there are plenty of ways to make your operations more eco-friendly. Here are some lower-barrier strategies we’ve implemented ourselves.

Reducing energy use

While this may seem obvious, the most sustainable approach is to use less. When you consider that 51% of manufacturing energy is wasted, the potential savings are enormous. Some methods for reducing energy include:

• Switch to LED lighting: LEDs use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. We use 15-watt T5 LED tubes for their superior energy efficiency and enhanced light sensitivity, which supports worker safety, well-being, and production quality.
• Upgrading old equipment: Modern machinery often operates more efficiently, reducing both energy consumption and maintenance costs. And that applies to more than just your production tools. When we replaced our aging air conditioning units, we saw a 72% drop in energy use.
• Conducting energy audits: Identifying hidden energy drains allows you to prioritize the most impactful improvements. We created our Environmental, Social, and Governance Working Group (ESGWG) to analyze our operations and advance sustainability across every level of the business.
• Streamlining production processes: Eliminate unnecessary steps, optimize workflows, and reduce idle time to cut energy waste. This is an ongoing process, but our team is committed to continually finding new ways to enhance both efficiency and sustainability.

Use recyclable materials

Sourcing sustainable materials helps you reduce your carbon footprint from the get-go. Our sourcing specialists have been actively identifying eco-friendly material sources, and we’re proud to offer over 100 sustainable material options to our customers.

Sustainable sourcing appeals to eco-conscious customers. Many consumers actively seek out brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility, and sustainable materials often become a key differentiator in competitive markets. 

Additionally, getting ahead of regulations like extended producer responsibility laws and plastic waste restrictions can save on costly redesigns. 

Choose responsible suppliers

Establish clear sustainability criteria when selecting suppliers, and conduct regular audits to ensure ongoing alignment with your environmental goals. 

Partnering with vendors — like Charming — who share your values not only strengthens your sustainability efforts but also supports compliance with regulations like the ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation). Plus, sustainable suppliers often offer greater transparency, helping you identify bottlenecks and improve operational efficiency.

Next steps

Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated. While sustainability is a buzzword, at its core, it's really about efficiency: less waste, more intention, and better use of energy and materials.

That's something Charming strives for at every level. Sourcing through Charming means gaining a partner committed to smart, efficient production. That means fewer oversights, stronger compliance with emerging regulations, and better value for every dollar spent.

Want to see what smart, sustainable manufacturing looks like in action? Follow us on LinkedIn for our latest updates and initiatives.