IMPACT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Sustainability in retail at the Globe goes beyond offering eco-friendly products; it involves looking at the entire lifecycle of our merchandise and the ethical framework within which it is produced and sold. This includes working with suppliers who source materials responsibly and ensure fair labour practices, who have committed to minimising environmental impact and fostering transparent supply chains. Retailers have the power to influence both consumer behaviour and supplier practices by prioritising sustainable choices. By embedding sustainability into core operations, the Globe Shop aims to not only reduce our ecological footprint but also build trust with customers who increasingly value ethical and environmentally responsible options. Understanding and committing to sustainability is essential for fostering long-term success, resilience, and positive change.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to foster a sustainable retail experience through ethical sourcing, reduced waste, and partnerships with eco-conscious suppliers, while respecting the environment, honouring the work of Shakespeare’s Globe, and supporting local makers.
IMPACT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Sustainability in retail at the Globe goes beyond offering eco-friendly products; it involves looking at the entire lifecycle of our merchandise and the ethical framework within which it is produced and sold. This includes working with suppliers who source materials responsibly and ensure fair labour practices, who have committed to minimising environmental impact and fostering transparent supply chains. Retailers have the power to influence both consumer behaviour and supplier practices by prioritising sustainable choices. By embedding sustainability into core operations, the Globe Shop aims to not only reduce our ecological footprint but also build trust with customers who increasingly value ethical and environmentally responsible options. Understanding and committing to sustainability is essential for fostering long-term success, resilience, and positive change.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to foster a sustainable retail experience through ethical sourcing, reduced waste, and partnerships with eco-conscious suppliers, while respecting the environment, honouring the work of Shakespeare’s Globe, and supporting local makers.
OUR PRODUCTS & SUSTAINABILITY
Over 70% of the products in the Globe Shop are exclusively designed in-house, giving our collection a distinctive identity you won't find anywhere else. We also collaborate closely with a network of partners - many of whom are independant small businesses or talented designer-makers - to create unique, exclusive pieces for us. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to making our products are as responsibly and ethically sourced as possible.
TEXTILES
Our textiles are made from 100% cotton. Our t-shirts are either made from Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) certified cotton, or Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton. Both certifications ensure that suppliers use sustainable farming methods, adhere to equitable working practices and are audited against a wide range of social and sustainability criteria. Some of our products are produced in factories powered by renewable energy and many of our textiles are printed and sewn in the UK. Our printers use GOTS approved water-based inks, which are non-toxic, eco-friendly and formulated without the use of PVC, phthalates and heavy metals.
All clothing
Taschen und Geldbörsen
Geschirrtücher
Drucken, um Kleidung zu bestellen
WOODEN WEAPONS
Our wooden toys and weapons are crafted from sustainable beech wood sourced from managed forests in Bavaria. They are handmade by a family-run business based within the forest itself, using traditional techniques and harmless dyes. For every tree felled, our partner plants three new seedlings, helping to support long-term forest regeneration.
Discover The Wooden WeaponsENAMEL PINS
Enamelling is a complex process that requires strict safety measures to protect workers from toxic dust, fumes, and burns. Our supplier is a SEDEX member and must pass rigorous audits to ensure high standards of safety, human rights, and corporate responsibility are maintained. While we continue to love the craftsmanship and durability of enamel pins and keyrings, we are also actively exploring alternatives made from FSC-certified wood to help reduce environmental impact.
JEWELLERY
Our Folk & Fortune jewellery is made using 100% recycled Perspex. Any Perspex offcuts created during production are shredded and re-pressed into new sheets using an industrial heat press. This process can be repeated multiple times, ensuring that no material goes to landfill
Shop The Folk & Fortune CollectionBATH DUCK
BATH DUCK
We worked closely with our supplier for many years to improve the sustainability of our Shakespeare bath ducks. Initially made of plastic and shipped fron China, they didn't meet our sustainable sourcing policy guideines.
Our new ducks are made of natural rubber latex and are designed to last a lifetime. While they are still shipped from the Far East, they are made in factories that are regularly inspected to ensure fair working and safety conditions are adhered to.
FROM THE STAGE
At Shakespeare’s Globe, sustainability also means making the most of what we already have. Through our From the Stage collection, we offer a selection of authentic props, set pieces, and decorative items that have been used in Globe productions. Rather than discarding materials once a performance has ended, we look for opportunities to extend their life. Some props and scenic elements are carefully reused across multiple productions, while others are made available for purchase through our shop, allowing theatre lovers to own a unique piece of the Globe’s history. By giving these items a second life, we help reduce waste, celebrate the craftsmanship behind each production, and support a more circular approach to theatre-making. Every piece tells a story, not only from the stage, but also through its continued use beyond the performance.
Explore From The Stage CollectionDIGITAL (ESHOP)
While digital services have an environmental footprint, we are committed to reducing the impact of our online shop. Through greener hosting, website optimisation, and ongoing performance improvements, we aim to minimise the energy required to browse and shop online.
Green hosting
Our online shop is hosted by a verified green hosting provider that powers its serves with renewable energy.
JavaScript Optimisation
We are working to identify and remove unused JavaScript to improve site efficiency and reduce our digital carbon footprint.
Reduce Image Size
We reduce image sizes and optimise page assets to lower data transfer and the energy required to load our website.
Delivery partners
Online orders leaving the Globe Shop are shipped using partners who utilise low-emission transport options.
PACKAGING & DELIVERIES
The Globe Shop receives deliveries at goods inwards almost daily. We encourage our suppliers to use sustainable options when transporting our products to the Globe. We aim to reuse at least 50% of the packaging materials that come with our deliveries to pack our ecommerce orders. Ecommerce orders leaving the Globe Shop are shipped using partners who utilise low-emission transportation options.
PHYSICAL STORE
At Shakespeare’s Globe Shop on Bankside in London, we aim to create a more sustainable retail experience through reduced waste, responsible practices, and thoughtful design. We work with eco-conscious suppliers and support local makers wherever possible, while ensuring our retail activities respect both the environment and the creative spirit of Shakespeare’s Globe. Sustainability is also reflected in our onsite visual merchandising, where we regularly use recycled and upcycled materials in our retail displays. This year we have displays for the summer season plays that use fabric scraps from the Globe’s Wardrobe workshop, waste cardboard from our deliveries and wood donated by our Props team. This approach allows us to give waste materials a second life while helping to visually interpret the stories and quotations featured across our products.
