Sustainability Features

A Designer's Approach

Vulcan Equestrian is built on a designer's commitment: to make pieces with purpose and intention.

The materials we choose reflect a belief that one person's discarded plastic can become another rider's most considered piece. That waste, in the right hands, is raw material. That transformation is a form of craftsmanship.

The forge takes what is rough and makes it refined. Our materials follow the same principle.

Our Approach

Our approach to sustainability rests on four commitments:

  • Materials with a second life — recycled and organic fibers chosen for both performance and reduced environmental impact
  • Trusted certifications — sourcing from suppliers working toward Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications
  • Considered packaging — compostable garment bags and right-sized recycled cartons, hand-packed
  • Transparency over perfection — honest about where we are, and where we are working to go next

Materials

We design with fabrics that perform like the technical materials they are, made from inputs that would otherwise be wasted.

  • Recycled polyester (rPET) — spun from post-consumer plastic bottles, engineered for stretch and recovery
  • TENCEL™ Lyocell — produced from sustainably sourced wood pulp through a closed-loop process
  • Organic cotton blends — grown without synthetic pesticides, blended for breathability and softness
  • Future seasons — expanding into recycled nylon, recycled wool blends, and traceable natural fibers

We work toward GRS and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification at the supplier and product level. We will only use these certification names when they are formally verified. Until then, we identify our suppliers as working toward these standards.

Packaging

Packaging is often where sustainability claims fall apart. Ours are designed to hold up.

Compostable Garment Bags

Our garment bags are made from a blend of PLA and PBAT — bioplastics derived from cornstarch — engineered for strength in transit and a clean return to nature.

  • Industrial composting: fully degrades in as little as 45 days
  • Home composting: breaks down within 3 to 12 months
  • Leaves no microplastics or toxic byproducts — only water, CO₂, and biomass

Shipping & Fulfillment

We require our production and fulfillment partners to:

  • Ship bulk orders without individual plastic wrapping
  • Hand-pack each item in our compostable garment bags
  • Use right-sized recycled shipping cartons with minimal void fill
  • Send digital invoices, not printed paperwork

Looking Forward

Sustainability is a practice, not a destination. We will continue to refine our materials and processes as the brand grows. Future commitments include:

  • Achieving formal GRS and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification at the product level
  • Recyclable hardware and trim across all product categories
  • Expanded supply chain traceability
  • A take-back or repair program for end-of-life Vulcan Equestrian pieces

We will share our progress honestly — including where we fall short — because transparency is the only sustainability claim worth making.

A Designer's Note

Recycled materials are not a compromise. They are an opportunity. To take what already exists, and shape it into something more refined than it was before. To honor the craftsmanship of transformation — the same principle the forge has always represented.

Vulcan Equestrian is for riders who value pieces made with intention. Pieces that perform. Pieces that respect the work behind them, and the world they ride through.

Forging Strength and Elegance.