Sustainable Operations

Sustainability is woven into every facet of our supply chain to minimise our impact on the environment.

We’re using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to frame our approach to Climate Change and other Sustainable Development issues.
In practical terms, this means we’re engaged in several sustainability initiatives to reduce both our own and our customers’ impact on the environment in tangible, measurable terms.

Amongst these are:

  • 50% reduction in GHG Emissions across Scope 1 and 2 by 2030
  • 75% reduction in single use packaging waste by 2030
  • Zero deforestation risk in our supply chain by 2030

Clear & Transparent Roadmap

From 0% landfill policy to sustainable packaging, we’re taking clear steps to protect the environment,

And we’re not stopping there, our initiatives include:

  • Reducing CO2 emissions by 80% through Biofuel-only shipping
  • Preventing customers’ waste from going to landfill by recycling and finding end-uses for the fibres
  • Customer Polygiene Wearer Trials to reduce garment allocation and allow for washing at lower temperatures
  • Working with the Heart of England as “planting guardians” to support the planting of 30,000 acres by 2025
  • Using state-of-the-art machinery to enable zero-waste manufacturing via re-use of fabric offcuts for carpet underlay
Our 10 Point Plan

Your Sustainable PPE Partner

Sustainable Supply Chain

Our international auditing and sourcing office allows us to thoroughly vet and audit our supply chain partners to ensure the most sustainable and ethical upstream and downstream operations.

Coupled with our own wholly-owned factory, we have complete visibility and control of our supply chain, allowing us to actively minimise its emissions through a continuous improvement approach.

Recycled Workwear

Whether we’re supplying third party garments and fabrics like COOLMAX® technology or our own recycled suiting range, Birchett, we place customers like you at the forefront of sustainability workwear options.

Birchett is made using recycled plastic bottles and other post-consumer waste. A UK industry first, every single part of the garment is recycled, including the:

  • Lining
  • Buttons
  • Labels
  • Packaging

Warehouse Robotics

Our new multi-million pound warehouse represents another UK industry first and a step-forward for our customers who will not only receive their items more quickly, but will be able to see real-time data regarding stock availability, dispatches and more.

In addition to ultra-fast picking, the automated system reduces emissions per pick by 75% and utilises reuse brake technology for greater efficiency.

10 Point Climate Plan

1. Recycled & Organic Fabrics

We’ve been providing recycled ranges since 2010, and since 2022 have been offering 100% recycled polyester ranges to our customers as part of our climate friendly approach.

2. Electric Courier Vehicles

We’re moving toward carbon neutral logistics plans through our deliberate choice of logistics partners such as DPD, who are increasingly investing in electric fleets to reduce the emissions associated with every delivery.

3. Solar Panels and Electric Vehicle Fleet

We’re phasing in solar panels across our Oldbury headquarters and Netherlands based warehouse to increase the % of power we use from sustainable sources. We have also introduced electric vehicles into our fleet of company cars.

4. Made In The UK

We boast a truly global vetted network of global suppliers which includes a wide range of UK based manufacturers. Coupled with in-house embroidery and UK-based fabric mills, we always use UK based manufacturers where possible.

5. 0% Landfill

We operate a 0% to landfill policy, supporting organisations to re-use and re-recycle products that have reached the end of their life. Our Group owned, Sri-Lankan manufacturing facility K&D Manufacturing, uses state-of-the-art machinery to repurpose fabrics offcuts into carpet underlay.

6. New Technology

Our innovations in warehouse automation (which reduce emissions per pick by 75%), online garment sizing tools (to reduce returns and therefore emissions), our online ordering portal, and 3D avatar design all contribute to reductions in unnecessary emissions.

7. Supporting Suppliers

We have a vast global network of vetted suppliers who we actively collaborate with on new sustainability initiatives. From end-of-product-life recycling to our own 100% ranges, we work with suppliers to ensure customers have the most sustainable options available.

8. Biodegradable Packaging

We are removing plastic hangers across our entire customer base and are actively phasing in biodegradable packaging, with many customers already seeing 100% sustainable garment packaging.

9. Recycled Plastics

We are using plastics recovered from the ocean in certain garments ranges for customers. Every ocean-recovered bottle can create 1 zip and 3 buttons and we’re also using plastic bottles in many of our recycled fabrics.

10. Towards Net Zero

As a business, we pledge to be Net Zero by 2050 across all operations and logistics in line with the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative). We will achieve this through close partnerships and alignment throughout our entire supply chain and customer base.

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