SUSTAINABILITY

At Unordinary Apparel, all of our garments are fully sustainable.

 

From the beginning, Unordinary Apparel has only ever planned to work with certified, trusted suppliers using responsibly sourced materials. We integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business; making deliberate decisions about who we work with, how we operate and what materials we use. We ensure our suppliers source only the finest raw materials; ethically grown and produced in ways that do not harm people, animals or the environment.

 

Our Materials

All of our products are exclusively made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and recycled polyester. We source the finest fabrics, which are naturally grown and chemical free. 

Organic Cotton 

This is cotton that comes from seeds that have not been genetically modified (non-GMO) and is grown without the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. All of our cotton material is certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This certification takes over a year to account for every step of production- from the processing of certified organic fiber into yarn to the dyehouses, mills, factories and printers. 

The Benefits of Organic Cotton: 

Compared to conventional cotton

  • 91% less surface and groundwater use
  • 26% less potential for soil erosion
  • 46% less impact on global warming
  • 70% less acidification of land and water 

Source: Textile Exchange (2017), Quick Guide to Organic Cotton 

Furthermore, organic cotton fibers are natural, renewable and inherently biodegradable. 

Our organic cotton is grown and picked in India.

 

Recycled Polyester 

We recycle to reduce waste.

This is polyester made from recycled plastic waste (rPET). Recycled polyester allows for considerable energy savings in the manufacturing process. It is clear that tackling plastic waste has become one of the major environmental challenges of our time- globally about 9.5million tonnes of tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans, most of it single-use. 

At Unordinary Apparel we use recycled polyester to add stability and strength to our garments. 

Our recycled polyester is collected from China.

 

Our Certifications

We are certified by the best.

Our supply chain is certified by various independent bodies and standards. Each of these certifications help to demonstrate that we are working towards building healthy environmental practices and greater respect for the planet, every step of the way. 

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading certification body for the production of organic fibres and is based on both ecological and social criteria. It guarantees that cotton is organically grown without the use of GMO seeds, or any harmful chemical products (such as pesticides, fertilisers and insecticides) that are dangerous for the environment or the health of farmers or factory workers. It ensures traceability of products from the field to the final customer.

The Global Recycle Standard (GRS) is the world’s leading standard for recycled textiles and certifies recycled materials based on environmental and social practices. 

 

 All of our products are all PETA-approved Vegan, as we do not conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products and none of our products contain any animal derived components.

OEKO-TEX® is a safety standard for the assessment of harmful substances in fabrics. Its aim is to ensure products are free from harmful substances and follow REACH, the EU regulation which restricts the toxicity of chemicals and heavy metals in all consumer products. 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Factories

We care about ALL people, not just our customers 

 We only work with factories that are safe, fair and meet all worker rights. Our partner factories have all been Fair Wear Accredited. This foundation is an independent organisation that works with apparel brands, garment workers and textile industry influencers to improve labour conditions in garment factories. FWF are active in Bangladesh where they audit factories and support trade unions to lobby European governments and other organisations to increase wages and improve working conditions

The eight pillars of FWF:

Fair Wear Foundation has eight labour standards based on the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

  • Employment is freely chosen
  • No exploitation of child labour
  • No discrimination in employment 
  • A legally binding employment relationship 
  • Payment of a living wage
  • Reasonable hours of work 
  • Safe and healthy working conditions
  • Freedom of association 

 

As a sustainable brand transparency is essential. Our supplier Stanley/Stella is a Fair Wear Leader, certifying they are showing best practices in complex areas of workers’ rights.

From Fields to Fashion

  • Our organic cotton is grown and picked in India
  • It is then sent to a ginning mill in India where seeds, seeds hulls and other small objects are separated from the cotton
  • The organic cotton is then sent to a spinning mill and a fabric knitting factory in Bangladesh. This is where our products are made. 
  • The garments are then shipped to our supplier in Belgium, before being transported to us in the UK for final detailing

Our Bangladeshi Factory:

GMS Composite Knitting IND. Ltd

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