Why More Organisations Are Switching To Sustainable High Visibility Workwear

Over the past 12 months there has been a surge in organisations switching to sustainable high visibility workwear. The demand for these products has also resulted in a significant increase in the number of high visibility items available to purchase including men’s and ladies PPE, polo shirts, trousers, jackets and even hi vis maternity clothing all made from recycled fibres.

The big question is – why are more organisation switching to sustainable high visibility workwear? For many, the reason is this; more and more businesses are beginning to look at their environmental impact and find sustainable solutions at work. From influencing greener working practices to embracing sustainable and ethical workwear, these measures will contribute to a company’s overall carbon footprint reduction. Businesses must now demonstrate that they are meeting not just basic sustainability obligations such as paper recycling but have also taken further steps to becoming more sustainable. Making the switch to sustainable workwear has been highlighted as a key area of positive change.

How Ethical Is Your Workwear?

Have you ever thought about where your workwear comes from? And no, we don’t mean which supplier does it come from. All workwear is made in factories scattered across the globe, and when a Procurement Team or a Health and Safety Manager is purchasing high visibility clothing for their team, they need to consider the ethical and sustainable factors surrounding these products.

All organisations should ensure the ethical standards of the clothing manufacturers are in line with their own standards and policies. This includes verifying that the individuals who are constructing these garments receive a fair wage, sociable working hours and safe working conditions.

Clad Safety is a member of Sedex who provide one of the world’s leading online platforms for companies to manage and improve working conditions in global supply chains. Sedex provide Clad Safety with the practical tools and services to help us improve our responsible and sustainable business practices, and source responsibly. We visit and inspect our suppliers to ensure 100% compliance with Health and Safety, Social Accountability and Welfare regulations.

Does Your Workwear Comply With Your Organisation’s Environmental Plan?

Ask yourself this – does your workwear comply with your organisation’s environmental plan? Do you know where the products are manufactured, how they are packaged and transported to you and what materials are used to manufacture these items?

Your PPE supplier should be able to provide you with this information. If you discover your workwear does not align with your environmental policy, they can offer you sustainable alternatives for most working environments.

At Clad Safety, we supply our own-branded eco thermal base layers made from 65% recycled polyester and packaged in plastic-free packaging. Just switching to these products can have a positive impact on an organisation’s use of single-use plastic. Choosing to dress your team in sustainable high visibility clothing made from recycled fibres goes even further to reducing an organisation’s environmental impact.

Why Is Sustainable High Visibility Clothing So Popular?

As more and more businesses make the switch to sustainable high visibility clothing, you might find yourself asking why? Sustainable workwear isn’t just clothing made from recycled materials; it also represents an ethical manufacturing process that is devoid of labour exploitation and is kinder to the environment. Less water is wasted, carbon emissions are lower, and many items are made from recycled fibres, therefore reducing the volume of clothing sent to landfill.

Opting to supply your team with sustainable high visibility clothing is also beneficial to a business’s brand as it will reinforce your organisation’s position as a thought leader in sustainability along with the knowledge that your company is contributing to helping the environment.

Are you thinking about making the switch to recycled workwear? Read our blog on making the switch here.

What Are The Benefits Of Switching To Recycled High Visibility Workwear?

It has become apparent that sustainable garments will soon be a permanent fixture within a workwear range. If your team are still wearing regular high visibility clothing, you should consider the benefits to switching to recycled hi vis workwear. Often, the recycled alternative will be identical or very similar in appearance to the non-recycled option therefore the individuals wearing these items would not notice a different in comfort or functionality.

The Woolacombe Coolvis Plus hi vis short sleeved polo shirt is made from EcoViz® RP + recycled polyester. Just like a regular hi vis polo, it has been specifically designed to keep the wearer cool and comfortable in the warmest weather conditions.

Meanwhile this ladies high visibility softshell jacket is not only specifically designed to fit the female wearer, it is also made from EcoViz® 3L, a three layer softshell fabric made from recycled content.

Leo’s range EcoViz® products that are supplied by Clad Safety are constructed from fabrics derived either from recycled post-consumer clothing or recycled plastic bottles. They are also made from recycled polyester which is verified by the recycled yarn manufacturer (such as the UTRUST verification programme by Repreve®), so that you can be sure you’re receiving genuine recycled polyester. Meanwhile, Engel’s Safety Light range is also made from REPREVE recycled polyester which is one of the most certified, traceable fibres made from 100% recycled materials, including post-consumer waste and pre-consumer waste.

Recycled high visibility workwear is equally durable as non-recycled workwear and has been built to withstand the demands of tough working environments.

If compliance concerns you, do not worry. All the recycled hi vis garments supplied by Clad Safety are compliant with EN 20471 (and RIS-3279-TOM for the specific orange garments required for work on the railways).

Do you want to discuss in more detail how switching to sustainable high visibility workwear will benefit your organisation?

We work with Procurement Managers, Health and Safety Managers and Buying Teams from large organisations across the Construction, Rail and Utilities sectors. Our aim is to help you reduce your environmental impact and provide you with a fully sustainable range of workwear and PPE for you and your team.

Give us a call today on 0800 161 3661 or email us at [email protected] to place an order with us or for further information.