Sustainable Fashion Week 2024

Coventry Building Society Uniform

The fashion industry has an undeniably large environmental footprint. According to research, fashion accounts for around 20% of wastewater worldwide and 10% of global carbon emissions annually – and these numbers are still growing. At the current pace, the fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions are predicted to surge more than 50% by 2030

These stark statistics clearly illustrate the urgent need for sustainable practices in fashion. Thankfully, due to increasing consumer awareness and mounting regulatory pressure, the fashion industry is now experiencing a long-overdue sustainability transformation. 

A major milestone in this eco-revolution is the annual Sustainable Fashion Week (SFW). First launched in 2021, this community-led platform seeks to drive positive change by showcasing innovation, setting new standards, and fostering dialogue on sustainability in fashion. SFW 2024’s events across the UK will be held from the 20th to 29th September.

In this blog, JSD will explore how Sustainable Fashion Week’s themes align with the role of sustainable custom uniforms, and how choosing the right staff uniform supplier can support businesses in their quest for more environmentally-friendly solutions.

The Urgent Need for Sustainable Practices in Fashion

Environmental and Social Impact of Traditional Fashion

Traditional fashion practices contribute heavily to pollution, resource depletion, and social issues. From the energy-intensive production of textiles (estimated to account for 80% of the fashion industry’s energy use) to the toxic chemicals used in dyeing processes, the fashion sector is a major driver of climate change and environmental degradation.

In particular, the fast fashion model, which promotes mass production and short-lived trends, fuels overconsumption and waste. The UK alone sends 350,000 tonnes of used but still wearable clothing to landfills each year. Additionally, the social implications of fast fashion are alarming, with workers in low-cost countries often subjected to poor working conditions, unfair wages, and exploitative practices.

Key Drivers of Change

The industry’s unsustainable practices have not gone unnoticed. Consumers are demanding transparency, governments are imposing stricter regulations, and corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments are reshaping the fashion landscape. This confluence of factors is pushing brands to adopt sustainable processes and practices, including ethical sourcing, circular fashion models, organic or recycled materials, and innovative technologies.

SFW 2024: Leading the Charge

Sustainable Fashion Week 2024 is at the forefront of this transformation, providing a space for the fashion community to collaborate, learn, and innovate. This year, the theme is the Power of Repair, while previous years have been centred around green fashion practices and the importance of circular fashion

Regardless of the specific theme, this movement leads the charge urging us all to take creative action for a better, more sustainable fashion future. An often-overlooked way that businesses can do so is by adopting sustainable custom uniforms as a solution to their employee workwear needs. 

Custom Uniforms: A Step Towards Sustainability

As more businesses look to align with sustainable practices, custom uniforms offer a unique opportunity to reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing brand identity. But what exactly are custom uniforms, and how do they differ from mass-produced options?

Understanding Custom Uniforms

Custom uniforms can be tailored to a company’s industry-specific needs, while also offering advantages such as a better fit, personalisation, and waste reduction. Unlike off-the-shelf garments, which are often produced in bulk, custom uniforms are bespoke and made to order, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that excess stock is minimised.

Life Cycle of Custom Uniforms

From the sourcing of materials to disposal, each stage of a custom uniform’s life cycle can be optimised for sustainability. Businesses can choose eco-friendly fabrics, implement recycling or take-back schemes, and ensure that their uniforms are disposed of responsibly at the end of their life cycle. Working with a sustainable staff uniform supplier ensures that every step of this process supports environmental goals.

The Advantages of Made-to-Order Uniforms

Made-to-order uniforms offer businesses a way to reduce waste, optimise resources, and enhance their sustainability credentials, all of which align with the core missions of Sustainable Fashion Week 2024.

  • Reducing Overproduction and Waste: Made-to-order uniforms eliminate the need for large inventories, thus reducing the risk of overproduction and waste. By producing uniforms only when needed, companies avoid the environmental cost of surplus stock.
  • Optimising Resource Use: Precise demand forecasting and on-demand manufacturing like that offered by sustainable staff uniform suppliers like JSD minimise the use of fabrics, water, and energy. 
  • Enhancing Brand Image and Employee Engagement: Custom uniforms that reflect a commitment to sustainability not only strengthen brand perception among customers but also foster employee pride. By providing staff with eco-friendly uniforms, businesses can create a culture of sustainability within their workforce.

The Essential Role of a Sustainable Uniform Supplier

What Makes a Uniform Supplier Sustainable?

A sustainable staff uniform supplier prioritises the use of eco-friendly materials, ethical manufacturing processes, and a transparent supply chain. Look for suppliers like JSD that use recycled or organic fabrics, implement energy-efficient production processes, and ensure fair labour practices.

JSD’s Commitment to Sustainable Practices

At JSD, sustainability is at the core of our business. We use environmentally responsible materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton, and our production processes are designed to minimise waste and energy consumption. Additionally, we are committed to ethical labour practices, ensuring that every garment is made in a fair and safe environment, by employees who receive a fair wage.

Case Study: Successful Partnerships

JSD has supported numerous industry-leading clients in their quest for sustainability through custom uniforms. For instance, as staff uniform suppliers for Eurostar, JSD created an award-winning staff uniform that Eurostar’s On-Board Services Manager states “reflects who we are and how we want to be seen”. Not only did the custom uniform design enhance the iconic Eurostar brand image, it was also wearer-driven and sustainable, made from durable custom fabrics which allow for responsible disposal of uniforms with end-of-life recycling.

Similarly, our work with top-ranked transport company Jet2 was driven by a focus on sustainability. All of Jet2’s custom uniforms are now made from recycled materials, a care initiative is being trialled to extend their durability, and garment packaging has been reduced and replaced with recycled materials. JSD also uses advanced technology to handle the end-to-end operational life cycle of Jet2 uniforms, from online ordering on-demand to smart predictive stock control. These measures have helped to reduce overproduction of uniforms and associated waste, as well as aligning with Jet2’s overall sustainability goals.

Practical Steps for Businesses to Implement Sustainable Custom Uniforms

Transitioning to sustainable custom uniforms can be achieved by following X practical steps.

  1. Perform an in-depth audit of your current uniform strategy. Evaluate the materials used in your uniforms: are they eco-friendly, like organic cotton or recycled polyester? Assess your production processes – are your uniforms produced using energy-efficient, water-saving, and waste-reducing methods? Finally, examine your current supplier’s sustainability credentials, checking for certifications such as Fair Trade, OEKO-TEX, or the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which guarantee environmentally responsible practices.
  2. Select a qualified new supplier who fulfils your business needs. Once you have identified areas for improvement, the next step is choosing your new supplier. A sustainable staff uniform supplier should offer eco-conscious materials and demonstrate ethical manufacturing. Certifications like ISO 14001 or EcoVadis medals are strong indicators of a supplier’s sustainability credentials.
  3. Engage stakeholders in the custom uniform design process. Feedback and input from stakeholders is essential for a successful uniform design. Involve employees, management, and customers early in the process, sharing your sustainability goals to foster support. 
  4. Measure and report the impact of your sustainable uniform initiative. Track ESG metrics like reduced waste, lower carbon emissions, and improved employee satisfaction so that you can communicate results effectively to stakeholders.

Ready to Champion Sustainable Fashion?

If you have taken inspiration from the ethos of Sustainable Fashion Week 2024, start your company’s journey towards a more responsible future with sustainable made-to-order work uniforms.

When made with ethics and sustainability in mind, custom uniforms can offer your business a practical way to reduce environmental impact, enhance brand identity, and align with corporate ESG goals. At JSD, we are proud to be a leading staff uniform supplier, committed to helping businesses transition to more sustainable practices.

Get in touch with our team today to find out more and schedule a consultation on sustainable custom uniforms. Together, we can make a difference.

B E S P O K E U N I F O R M S . C U S T O M U N I F O R M S . S U S T A I N A B L E U N I F O R M S . E T H I C A L U N I F O R M S .