A British surfwear brand that has developed an innovative way to help shoppers go green has been recognised with an award for corporate governance at the annual Sustain Awards. Rapanui, an Eco-Surfwear brand run by two surfing brothers, claims its Traceability Tool and Eco Labelling Initiatives make it convenient to shop ethically – and suggest it has industry-changing potential.

The awards, hosted by Sustain Magazine at the Troxy in East London celebrated 16 businesses’ contributions to a more sustainable UK.  Rapanui beat off heavy competition from Balfour Beatty and Aggregate Industries to claim the Governance Award.

Rapanui believe that: “It’s not that people don’t care about where their clothing comes from and how it’s made, it’s just that they don’t know”; in response they developed a grading system called Eco-Labelling, similar to energy efficient light bulbs, plus an interactive map tool. The maps can be accessed from a shoppers Smartphone and show exactly where Rapanui’s clothing comes from, and how it is made.

Sustain Magazine Editor Jim McClelland said: “…there is a real commitment within the industry to sustainability, and it’s reassuring to see brands like Rapanui at the forefront of this change.”

Through surfing the brothers saw and experienced the changing environment and climate at their local beach and as inspired, unemployed graduates in a recession, they took a different path; if you can’t find a job, make one.

Mart Drake-Knight said: “We’re passionate about promoting sustainability; it is core to our business. To win an award for Governance from Sustain is a real honour, to have our ideas and initiatives praised by our peers and people we admire just drives us on. We hope to inspire people to consider that the environment and business can go hand in hand, whether they wear a suit or flip flops”.

Find out more about traceability and Rapanui at: www.rapanuiclothing.com/eco