Outland Denim, the world’s most sustainable denim brand, released its first annual Sustainability Report today. The report states 750 people, including staff and household members, benefit from stable, life-changing employment with Outland Denim’s unique social enterprise business model, and 85 per cent of formerly at-risk staff report a reduced level of risk to exploitation after six months of employment at Outland Denim.
“Our customers aren’t just buying a pair of jeans; they are investing in positive change,” states Outland Denim, founding CEO James Bartle. “They are taking us up on our promise to create an impact on their behalf. We hope that our customers read this report and feel empowered that despite the challenges COVID-19 has presented to the world, purpose-driven-business that puts people and the planet first is the way forward.”
Highlights of the report include:
- Measured by weight, 93 per cent of the raw materials used by Outland Denim in the past 12 months were natural.
- The launch of the most sustainable vintage-wash denim on the market – the Amy jean in Former.
- 250kg of biodegradable cassava bags replaced plastic poly bags for international garment transport.
- The launch of Outland Denim’s onsite Health Clinic & Education Centre based in its production facilities in Cambodia.
- Outland Denim is going vegan with a commitment to transition all leather patches to jacron paper over the next 12 months.
- Outland Denim uses up to 86 per cent less water, 57 per cent less energy, and 83 per cent less chemicals in its Wash and Finishing facility.
- The announcement of Maeka, a rebrand of the Outland Denim production facilities allowing the business to begin producing garments for other brands and expand the business and impact.
- 94 per cent direct supply chain traceability meeting strict social and environmental criteria.
The report is separated into social, environmental, and economic impact, reflecting the brand’s philosophy that true sustainability encompasses all three elements.
“While it might seem illogical to discuss sales and finance in a sustainability report, it’s my belief that economics can’t be separated from sustainability,” continues Bartle. “Business needs to put its money where its mouth is, and that’s what we strive to do at Outland Denim.“
Outland Denim garments are constructed with pride and expertise in the label’s stand-alone cut and sew facility – where the staff, many of whom come from vulnerable and exploitative situations, are offered fair, safe, and fulfilling employment. In addition to using organic cotton and vegetable dyes, garments are washed and finished in the brand’s stand-alone wash and finishing facility equipped with state-of-the-art sustainable washing technology, including Laser, Ozone, and E-Flow.
Outland Denim recently received the Thomson Reuters Foundation 2020 Stop Slavery Award for SME.
Outland Denim is available at www.outlanddenim.com, Nordstrom, David Jones, Bloomingdales, and select boutiques across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
For the full Sustainability Report, please see links below:
Outland Denim crafts premium denim jeans designed to bring the worlds of their seamstresses and customers closer together. Outland Denim sources the finest raw materials from around the world to create garments with environmental integrity while offering employment and training opportunities to women rescued from human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Outland Denim is Australia’s first Certified B CorporationⓇ denim brand.
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Website: www.outlanddenim.com
