Williams-Sonoma emphasizes social issues in its approaches to business operations, and in one initiative that addresses those corporate concerns, the company has announced an exclusive collaboration between its Pottery Barn Teen banner and nonprofit environmental organization the Surfrider Foundation for an eco-minded line of coastal-inspired textiles, rugs and décor items.
The materials used in designing the collection include organic, recycled and sustainably obtained resources. Bedding in the collaboration is 100% organic, certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard and meets strict social and environmental criteria, Williams-Sonoma stated. The collaboration rugs are crafted from recycled plastic, derived from old fishnets to decrease ocean pollution and re-imagined into a bold blue and white pattern. The wood décor, including the wall art, uses sun-bleached, sustainably sourced wood, lessening the environmental impact with responsibly harvested materials, the company added.
“When approaching collaborations, we look for partners that share our core values and are standouts in their field,” said Jennifer Kellor, president, Pottery Barn Teen, in announcing the collection rollout. “The Surfrider Foundation is extremely well respected for its ocean preservation and sustainability efforts. We joined forces to create a coastal-inspired collection that celebrates the ocean’s natural beauty and makes an impact, using recycled and eco-minded materials.”
The launch of the new collection comes on the heels of Williams-Sonoma’s inclusion in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equity Index. It becomes one of 483 companies across 45 countries and regions to join the 2023 Bloomberg GEI, which measures gender equality of companies across five pillars: leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and external brand.
