Why Ethically Sourced Garments are important.
It’s on everyone’s radar now and we’re all becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental and ethical implications of each of our purchasing choices. Along with that shopping habits are changing and companies that prioritise sustainability and ethical practices are gaining prominence. We as a brand are dedicated to sustainable and eco-friendly garments and as a lifetime brand with clothing that’s heading out to be used in all elements it’s important that everything we put out is as ethical as possible.
What does Ethical Sourcing look like for us?
We source our garments from a company who prioritise ethical sourcing and sustainable clothing. Their commitment to quality, durability, and social responsibility sets them apart in the garment industry. They have employed an experienced Ethical Sourcing specialist to shape and prioritise their strategy towards ensuring that all garments are sourced with the highest level of working rights. They are part of the Amfori BSCI initiative, which incorporates environmental sustainability and is a recognised methodology for identifying and remediating risks in global supply chains.
Environmental Responsibility how to prove it
Something that was really important to us was ensuring that the garments we are shipping out meet a high level of cotton certification and our suppliers have developed a Best Cotton Initiative (BCI) which aims to facilitate more sustainable cotton production, making it better for the people who produce it, better for the environment and better for the sector’s future. It is the largest cotton sustainability program in the world, helping cotton communities thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.
The BCI trains cotton workers in more sustainable farming practices, outlines and assesses compliance and has created a network of partners to connect supply with demand. So far the initiative has avoided using an estimated 268,000kg of pesticide and saved an estimated 259,000 litres of water.
Building the garments with Ethical Manufacturing practises.
A critical aspect of ethical sourcing is ensuring the well-being of those involved in the production process. The factories that make the garments are chosen with care, and they maintain a zero-tolerance policy for unfair labour practices. Workers are paid fair wages, provided with safe working conditions, and offered opportunities for personal and professional growth.
By joining outside bodies like WRAP (worldwide, responsible, accredited, production) and Amorfi (BSCI) they can monitor safe practices within their factories. They require factories to pay their workers a legal minimum wage or better. They work with the ‘fair wage’ or ‘living wage’ principle and prefer working with factories which pay workers enough to meet their basic needs.
So it’s ethically sourced, but will it last? Challenging Quality & Durability
Our clothing is designed to stand the test of time, resisting the fast-fashion trend that contributes to an alarming amount of textile waste. By creating garments that last it encourages a culture of mindful consumption.
The quality of the garment is so important for us as a company. We work with OEKO-TEX® certified garments. OEKO-TEX® is one of the world’s best known labels for textiles testing for harmful substances. The certification is designed to ensure the effect the dyeing industry has on the environment is minimised and the garments are safe for consumers as well as the people who make and sell them.
The future of clothing at Rooted Ocean
As we grow the dream is always to make our own garments in house so we can reduce the carbon footprint even more. Watch this space for custom made clothing!
