At ØRN, we take sustainability to the next level with full transparency and traceability in everything we do. Choosing ØRN’s sustainable range is better because you get true transparency through certifications that matter, superior garment quality and our ØRN Promise. Workwear with limited traceability can expose your business to risks, including unethical practices within your supply chain, leading to negative PR and potential brand damage.

Within this blog, we’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to make informed, sustainable workwear choices for your business. Because well-informed, sustainable buying choices by individuals and businesses alike are becoming increasingly important.

ØRN are proud to hold the GRS accreditations since 2021. This rigorous application process is not a quick implementation, it is complex and thorough and takes many months to implement. Every supplier and partner in our supply chain needed to undergo independent verification. Taking several months to complete, allowing us to guarantee full compliance when the final audit was conducted. As a result, ØRN’s certification is not just a label but a testament to the robust sustainability standards we uphold across our entire supply chain.

These Standards Futureproof your business: A highly significant certification in the textile industry; especially for buyers who are increasingly focused on sustainability and responsible sourcing.

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled Content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. The goal of the GRS is to increase use of Recycled materials in products and reduce/eliminate the harm caused by its production. - GRS-101 Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Textile Exchange, August 17, 2020

These standards help companies and consumers verify any business in the textile sector, helping them to understand any sustainability claims.

The objectives specific to the GRS

• Reduce harmful impact of production on people and the environment.
• Provide assurance that materials in the final product are actually recycled and processed more sustainably.
• Drive innovation in addressing quality issues in the use of recycled materials.

Therefore the following key points apply

• All pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials are ISO verified.
• Production sites must meet social and environmental requirements, plus the use of harmful chemicals is prohibited.
• Ensure the chain of custody certification is maintained from source to final product.
• Professional third-party verification audit performed at every stage of the supply chain.
• Appropriately label GRS and RCS on items that have passed requirements.
• Manage global stakeholder engagement, producers, suppliers, brands and retailers

The foundation of all Textile Exchange standards is the Content Claim Standard (CCS). It’s a chain of custody standard that gives companies a means of verifying that one or more raw material inputs are in the final product. (Textile Exchange)

DID YOU KNOW
Post-consumer recycled polyester offers great durability and can withstand high washing temperatures without compromising the fabric’s strength or longevity. This makes recycled polyester an ideal choice for garments that need washing at frequent higher temperatures. Keeping clothing cleaner and lasting far longer than other brands that require a wash of 30° or less. You could say, choosing sustainable workwear is choosing to opt for a longer-term solution for your employees’ uniform. Especially when employees are working in environments where they might get their workwear dirty.

LONGEVITY—
If buying right first time equals less waste – a business can indeed save time and money. High-quality sustainable workwear tends to last longer, meaning you won't need to manage your waste by recycling end-of-life garments and replacing uniform as frequent. In fact our recent tests on our EarthPro® collection have concluded that this range of clothing is as durable and will last as long as our core collection. Meaning you are not compromising on quality for sustainability while supporting your business goals and doing your bit for our planet.

BOTTOM-LINE—
While it's true that some eco-friendly options might be priced higher initially, it's essential to consider the long-term benefits that will save time in procurement, repurchasing etc and the bottom-line to any business, trying to balance the budget.

Be aware that choosing recycled clothing is not choosing sustainability. It is much more than that - it includes the way they are made - not just what they are made from.

It's almost 5 years since ØRN designed, manufactured and produced EarthPro® our most sustainable workwear to date. Earthpro® is a complete upper and lower collection of workwear for men and women. From uppers such as T-Shirts, Poloshirts, Sweatshirts, Fleeces and Jackets to our lowers that include Trousers and Shorts. We’re proud of the fact that the Polyester in this range is made from 65% -100% post-consumer recycled plastic. By removing plastic from the oceans, rivers, and landfill, our range is far better, in comparison to other ranges in the market that claim to be sustainable.

Do not assume that choosing sustainable workwear is just about the type of recycled fabric used. Sustainable workwear is much more holistic, from the production process to the working conditions and the garment's end of life. Every stage of the supply chain has an impact. It’s about how those fabrics are produced. For example, is the water and energy used efficiently? Are harmful chemicals avoided? Is waste minimised? Focusing on reducing the environmental footprint during manufacturing is key to transparency, for example the ØRN Falcon Fleece has used 1.06KwH less electricity during production, 2% less than 2 years ago. This has reduced its carbon footprint by 0.6510 CO2. Manufacturing of products does have an effect on emissions and for true traceability ØRN display water usage, electricity used, waste and carbon footprint of each garment across data and style sheets.

The traceability system tracks the entire journey of raw materials, from source to the final product. This process includes careful documentation, volume reconciliations, and the segregation of materials and products throughout the supply chain. These practices not only ensure transparency but also uphold ethical sourcing and regulatory compliance, key factors for responsible procurement decisions. Our traceability system ensures that every step of the supply chain is transparent and verifiable, providing accurate, certified information on the fibre content of our products.

With ØRN’s certified workwear, businesses can confidently meet a company's sustainability goals. Our traceability allows you to demonstrate to internal stakeholders and clients alike that the workwear procured meets the highest standards of ethical and sustainable production.

We help businesses incorporate these sustainable practices into their sourcing strategies by showcasing our strong sustainability credentials. Our commitment to full traceability and transparency is central to everything we do. We partner with workwear procurement managers, distributors, and supply chain leaders across the UK, offering a reliable solution for companies seeking a sustainable workwear provider. Whether your goal is to increase the use of recycled materials or reduce the environmental impact of textile production, ØRN has the certifications and audit trail to meet your requirements and support your next project with confidence.

ØRN are ideally placed and already committed to the most crucial frameworks within the textile industry, demonstrating that ØRN are leaders in sustainable workwear, tracking and tracing recycled material from source to final product.