Sustainability is a key consideration in many aspects of life today. From reducing food waste and dependence on fossil fuels to eliminating single-use plastic products, there is a commitment to sustainable goals pretty much everywhere you look.
For lots of businesses, sustainability is a corporate social responsibility issue and, more specifically within our industry, many customers are looking for sustainable options when it comes to sourcing PPE and protective clothing.
As a business that takes sustainability extremely seriously, it is Contego Safety Solutions’ aim to help our customers meet their sustainability goals in as many ways as possible.
Sustainable workwear for a sustainable business
The amount of sustainable workwear now available has grown over the last few years as more and more businesses seek to make as much of their operation as eco-friendly as they can.
Sustainable workwear options include hi-vis workwear and protective gloves, winter workwear such as gilets and jackets, and t-shirts and polo shirts for the warmer weather.
Many of the best-known brands in PPE and workwear clothing now offer sustainable options, such as Regatta’s which is manufactured from recycled polyester. Meanwhile, eco-friendly company Result is producing garments featuring recycled mechanical yarn softshell fabrics, recycled polyester, eco-friendly zips and environmental-friendly materials made from recycled PET-bottles. Not only that, their packaging is also sustainable, with protective workwear dispatched in recycled cartons and biodegradable bags.
Sustainable hi-vis workwear is also available, with many items made out of recycled fabric that has been produced from recycled plastic bottles and post-industrial waste, and offers a sustainable equivalent to conventional yarns.
Get the most out of your sustainable PPE and workwear
As well as investing in sustainable workwear, another way to be more environmentally-friendly (while making budget savings) is to ensure your workforce gets the most out of the PPE they use.
A pair of sustainable work gloves might come with Life Extending Technology for extra longevity and enhanced resistance to oil, dirt and water, for example, but proper care and maintenance will also ensure they have a long life.
The life of most PPE and protective clothing can be prolonged by properly caring for and maintaining it, as well as storing it correctly when not in use. These responsibilities lie with both employers and employees.
It’s important to give regular care and attention to your PPE by washing or cleaning it regularly and according to instructions. Not only will this help to ensure that PPE continues to keep staff safe, but it will also enhance your employees’ comfort when wearing it and maintain a smart image for your organisation.
Always check and follow any instructions on how to properly look after your PPE and it will be less likely to need replacement before it’s time.
Contego’s commitment to sustainability within our business
Not only does Contego Safety Solutions work hard to supply sustainable PPE and safety workwear that protects workers, we also believe we have a responsibility to help protect our world. For this reason we strive to stay ahead of environmental and sustainability issues that our business operations can directly impact and seek ways to minimise that impact. As an ISO 14001 accredited company, we have adopted many sustainability policies, including:
- Always recycling cardboard and plastic strapping and working with suppliers to reduce the amount of packaging required to minimise waste
- Designing our own brand WEARMASTER® products with increased longevity in mind.
- Working closely with manufacturers to check that new-to-market products are eco-friendly
- Choosing local suppliers whose environmental approaches align with ours
- Using DPD for our deliveries – a company whose aim is to be ‘the greenest delivery company on this planet’
- Using eco-settings, energy-efficient bulbs and sustainably produced, element chlorine-free paper in our offices and warehouses
- Investing in a state-of-the-art Solar Photovoltaic Panel system, which massively reduces the consumption of fossil fuels used to power our facility
- Minimising travel for meetings, where possible, by communicating remotely
- Partnering with Recycling Lives, a waste management business and charity specialising in recycling PPE, uniform and workwear.
Find out how Contego can help you meet your sustainability goals
The friendly and expert team at Contego Safety Solutions is always on hand to give advice and guidance on PPE and protective clothing, which is manufactured with the highest levels of sustainability in mind. Look out for products featuring our Eco Product logo in the Shop.
Contego Safety Solutions stocks a wide range of corporate workwear, protective clothing and PPE, including our own-brand WEARMASTER® range. We also provide a bespoke uniform design and manufacturing service to ensure that you get precisely what you are looking for in a company uniform.
Contact us now on 0800 122 3323 or sales@contegosafety.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
