Industry News
Rowlinson Knitwear transforms the lives of its overseas workers
A
n independent survey by social impact company 60 Decibels has revealed that Rowlinson Knitwear is transforming the lives of its overseas workers in Bangladesh. Commissioned by the UK Department for International Development and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), 60 Decibels conducted 214 telephone interviews with workers at New Horizon Bangladesh, the largest supplier to employee-owned Rowlinson. The results confirm the positive impact of the schoolwear manufacturer’s ethical practices on workers’ health and wellbeing, economic status, workplace safety, worker satisfaction and quality of life. Rowlinson works closely in partnership with ETI to adopt best practice throughout its global supply chain, with initiatives such as the gifting of large domestic water filters to workers; upholding UK standards in health and safety throughout the factory; good rates of pay; female healthcare education; the provision of sanitary products to female workers; and funding access to Amader
Kotha, an anonymous helpline for workers.
The results of the survey are as follows: ● Water filter initiative: Rowlinson has gifted over 730 large domestic water filters safeguarding the health of workers, their families and friends who might otherwise be at risk from drinking contaminated water. As a result, sickness is 47% lower, workers spend 46% less on medical costs and absenteeism is 39% lower. An ongoing initiative, qualifying employees also receive an annual replacement water filter kit to maintain their health and wellbeing. ● A safe workplace: Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a recognised gauge of satisfaction and loyalty, with a score above 50 considered excellent. The NPS among all workers at New Horizon is 58. The NPS among female workers at New Horizon is an outstanding 81. By contrast, 10% of female garment factory workers in Bangladesh are subjected to sexual harassment, molestation and assault in the workplace. ● Quality of life: 90% of workers say working at New Horizon has improved or much improved their quality of life. They
PF Concept introduces compostable packaging for two drinkware ranges
P
F Concept's Americano and H2O ranges will be packed in compostable bags,
marking a move away from PE bags.
As a leading drinkware supplier, PF Concept is serious about sustainability and being a responsible manufacturer and continually looks for improvements in product, decoration.
PF Concept has been
investigating different packaging options for over 18 months now. Ralf Oster, CEO of PF Concept, said: “The challenge is finding a way to protect promotional products in transit and therefore protecting a business’ brand. While we wanted to move away
The daughter of a New Horizon factory worker enjoying fresh water at home, thanks to Rowlinson’s water filter initiative
attribute this to better health, feeling safe, being paid more, being supported in the workplace, and not having to work overtime.
Epson sponsors fashion students promoting sustainability
I PF Concept is serious about sustainability
from a plastic bag, many of the alternatives offered a lower level of protection, poor disposal methods or inefficient production methods – actually making them less sustainable than a plastic bag. We believe this new compostable bag is a great option that ticks all the required boxes.”
The bags are made from GMO-free material based on potato starch and are suitable for both domestic as well as industrial composting. This means that an end-user can put the bag in their home compost bin, food caddies or green waste bin for collection by local authorities. The composting process needs microorganisms and humidity to start the process. This will happen at ambient temperatures. On each bag, a message is printed with disposal instructions.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
n a bid to educate the fashion industry about on-demand dye sublimation printing as a means of reducing the industry’s high carbon footprint, Epson is supporting two students from the University of Westminster who are using dye sub printing in their designs with bursary funds. Epson is also providing the university with a new 24in dye sublimation printer, a SureColor SC-F500, to join their existing 44in dye sublimation printer (SC-F6200 ), to increase student learning and
Epson is supporting two University of Westminster students
application of print within their fashion designs. Lottie Everett and Hannah Sosna are the two students selected to receive the bursary from Epson. Both used print to support strong shapes, avoiding overpowering colours, while still creating strong imagery.
On-demand dye sublimation print offers fashion the flexibility and reliability to influence new designs and it has only increased in importance with the development of fast fashion, where the globalised supply chain is costing the industry an increasing amount of CO2 emissions.
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