All metals are mined, which means hardware production significantly impacts the environment—not only through carbon emissions but also through habitat loss and toxicity. Another critical issue with metals is the lack of traceability in their sourcing.

Initially, we aimed to avoid using hardware altogether. However, after a year of challenges, I decided to proceed with it, prioritising durability and sustainability. Here's why 316L stainless steel became our material of choice:

• Corrosion Resistance: 316L stainless steel offers exceptional resistance to corrosion and rust, ensuring longevity without tarnishing.
• Non-Coated Design: Many types of hardware, such as alloys or solid brass, require coatings, which often involve toxic chemical processes. In contrast, stainless steel does not require coatings or finishes. For a gold aesthetic, we use 24K gold plating applied through PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), a physical rather than chemical process.
• Recyclability: Stainless steel is highly recyclable, as opposed to coated materials whose coating needs to be removed during the recycling process.