Coronavirus News


Rowlinson Knitwear donates over 200k face masks to schoolwear retailers S


tockport’s Rowlinson Knitwear is donating over 200,000 free disposable face masks to its customers across the UK, helping to keep independent schoolwear retailers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.


The employee-owned business decided to offer the face masks as a way of thanking its customers for their continued support and loyalty during the recent months of lockdown. Following recent UK government guidelines stating that all pupils must return to school this September, the schoolwear industry is now gearing up for the busy Back to School season. Wearing face masks is not mandatory, but some secondary schools have already confirmed they are making it a requirement for pupils. Many retailers face additional business costs as they adapt their shops with equipment and screens to accommodate social distancing in store, while continuing to offer uniform fitting appointments and advice to parents. Donald Moore, chair of Rowlinson, said: “Right now, feeling safe is very important to everyone. Back to School is a busy time anyway, but this year, schoolwear shops have the additional pressure of adjusting their businesses to offer an extra safe environment for their colleagues, and for parents and pupils. Many have struggled to obtain face masks during the pandemic. Even if they could get them, it’s an additional cost at a time when they most need to manage their overheads. Since


Project Plan B urges PPE and workwear industry to consider COVID-19 environmental crisis


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he director of Project Plan B is urging designers and product developers to think about products’ end of working life – with the motto ‘protect others, protect the planet.’


Tim Cross said: “Nearly 90% of UK workwear already ends up in landfill or incinerated every year – COVID-19 has exacerbated that problem.


“Disposable PPE is adding to the industry wide problem of mass manufacture and waste, which is why we created the first fully recyclable face mask, made from recycled plastic currently being marketed by 1TcA (see right for more information). We completely understand that during a time of crisis we have to act quickly to protect lives. However, it is surely incumbent upon us as designers and product developers to think about the products’ end of working life.


“We believe every industry has the potential to reduce their impact on the environment – the same environment issues of waste, resources, CO2 emissions and climate change remain, and are being intensified by the global pandemic. We want to be the catalyst for positive change in the textile industry and hope that other companies will follow to provide 100% recycled ranges. Everyone has the potential to make positive change, and we are keen to share what we have learnt to help others achieve the same.


“We will keep pushing boundaries, innovating and sharing knowledge to achieve the positive change we believe the textile industry is capable of.”


The issue of sustainability is widespread and complex, garnering attention across the textile industry due to the substantial amount of water-waste and produce dumped in landfills. All businesses, textile-centered or otherwise, are having to consider their practices in sustainability.


| 18 | September 2020


Neil Ward of Rowlinson Knitwear, says the donation is just one way of showing they care


the middle of July, we’ve supplied a box of 50 3-ply disposable face masks with every order that has a value of £175 or more as a small gesture to thank all our loyal customers.” Managing director, Neil Ward, added: “In difficult times, it’s even more important to act responsibly and help others. Distributing free masks is just a small way of demonstrating that we care about our customers, because we know how tough this year will be for them.”


1TcA launches new sustainable, recyclable and reusable face coverings


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TcA has launched the first British made reusable, sustainable and recyclable face masks and snoods manufactured using GRS fabric woven from recycled waste plastic and treated with HeiQ Viroblock technology. 1TcA working in collaboration with Project Plan B, was aware of the risk of face coverings acting as vectors for viruses and bacteria. Before, during and after use there is a risk of fabric contamination and the transfer of pathogens to and from the surface of the face masks. The addition of HeiQ Viroblock technology makes the fabric resistant to harmful microbes. HeiQ Viroblock is one of the first textile finishing technologies that have been successfully tested against the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, SARS-CoV-2, in the laboratory, using the Viral Stability and Persistence test method. Fabrics and textiles treated with HeiQ Viroblock are resistant to microbes, germs, viruses and bacteria. It inhibits the persistence and growth of viruses and bacteria on the fabric and is a combination of HeiQ’s specially engineered anti-microbial silver technology and a vesicle technology. The silver releases silver-ions to kill the bacteria and inhibit their growth. HeiQ Viroblock is certified as safe and sustainable as all its ingredients are cosmetic grade, bio-based and recycled. 1TcA masks and snoods not only tackle the issue of cross contamination and help protect the end user from viruses/ germs/ bacteria but are also environmentally friendly. The treatment on the face covering lasts for up to 30 washes at energy saving 30°C. The expected life span of these products is approximately one year, after which they can be returned for recycling.


1TcA’s face masks are treated with HeiQ Viroblock technology


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


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