ECOVIZ® ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HI-VIZ WORKWEAR

Sustainable Workwear from Hazchem Safety. As the clothing industry is the second largest polluter globally, this range of products will help progress your Net Zero goals.

THE STORY OF EcoViz® – helping you achieve your Net-Zero Goals

The Problem

The clothing industry is the second-largest polluter, consuming more energy than the aviation and shipping industries combined and contributes to around 10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.

85% of textiles that could be reused or recycled end up in landfills or are incinerated, processes which, in themselves, pollute the planet.

In the Hi-Visibility clothing market, garments need to keep their luminosity and reflectivity in order to conform to safety standards, to ensure the wearer’s safety in hazardous conditions. Therefore, they have a limited life cycle, usually to 25 or 50 wash cycles before they need to be replaced. It is not an industry whereby you can “make-do-and-mend”, as is now becoming more popular within the fashion and sportswear industry, as the safety of the wearer would be compromised.

In recent years, there has been a real attempt to drive down pricing on safety workwear, leading to some manufacturers compromising on not only the quality of the components used but also the environmental impact.

The Solution

EcoVis LogoThe introduction of ECOVIZ® RP (Recycled Polyester) and a further extensive range of EcoViz® products.

Garments used in workwear and fast fashion can be repurposed into new workwear and used again. Garments that would otherwise be buried or incinerated.

To make the most environmental impact from the introduction, in 2019, the producer made the bold decision to change the fabric used on an already established range of products, the Coolviz Polo and T-Shirt Range, to EcoViz® RP, a 100% recycled polyester.

This fabric is made by taking old, discarded garments that are collected through recycling and reward schemes in stores. The recycled clothing is chopped into pieces and processed into raw polyester chips. These chips are made into polyester fibres, using a process called polymerisation. These new fibres are then used to create a complete high visibility garment, fully conforming to ISO 20471, the safety standard for high visibility.

The Supply Chain and Savings

The quality of polyester derived from recycled clothing through the EcoViz supply partners, Jiaren, Japan is equal to that of petrol refined polyester. The appearance and the performance of the garments were completely matched by the new product.

Since the move to recycled polyester, almost 60,000 garments in EcoViz RP fabric have been ordered.

Compared to producing these with polyester derived from oil, this move has resulted in a cut to the carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to planting over 3,000 trees and has saved the equivalent energy emissions of powering 10 family homes for an entire year.

Moreover, thousands of garments that could have been incinerated or buried have been repurposed.

In addition to the garment fabric, EcoViz has considered the environmental impact of every aspect of the finished product; swing tickets are now attached to the product using sustainable jute string (previously plastic) whilst the information from multiple swing tickets have been consolidated into one recycled cardboard ticket.

The final product is packaged in an oxo-biodegradable plastic bag, that will decompose to ensure the packaging is not lying around for years to come.

3000 Trees Image
10 Family Homes Image
P02-O (ROCKHAM)
P07-Y (BICKLETON)
J05-O (DARTMOOR) Jacket
P06-O (WOOLSERY)

Following the success of EcoViz RP, Leo Workwear has now placed many orders for new garments made from sustainable fabrics. Of all new products Leo Workwear have on order, 89% of them are made from sustainable fabric. Other existing ranges are being reviewed, with a view to upgrading their components to more environmentally friendly options.

THE FACTS: PRODUCTS ALREADY IN STOCK

ECOVIZ RP (Recycled Polyester) RANGE

  • 100% Recycled Polyester
  • (P02 / T02 / P06 / P07 Coolviz T-Shirt and Polo Shirt Range)
  • Ordered 58,840 pieces in EcoViz RP fabric
  • Compared to polyester produced with the oil, using EcoViz® RP…
  • Has cut the carbon dioxide emissions to the equivalent of planting over 3,000 trees
  • Has cut the energy emissions produced to the equivalent of powering a family home for around 10 years
P06-O (WOOLSERY)
J05-O (DARTMOOR) Jacket

THE FACTS: NEW PRODUCTS ON ORDER

Of all new products Leo Workwear has on order, 89% of them are made from sustainable fabric.

The first order for each product will lead to:

  • EcoViz 4X (4-way stretch) – 32K Recycled Plastic Bottles
  • EcoViz PCX (Poly/Cotton Stretch)120K Recycled Plastic Bottles
  • EcoViz 10K (Laminated waterproof, breathable polyester) cut CO2 emissions equivalent to planting 400 Trees & energy emissions saving the equivalent to powering a family home for around 15 months

SHOP ADR, PPE, TECHNICAL & SAFETY WORKWEAR

Stay safe on the job with Hazchem Safety’s workwear. Our top-quality safety gear, ADR and PPE kit is designed to protect you from hazardous materials and accidents. Visit our shop to browse our selection and order yours today!

To discuss your requirements for ADR, PPE or workwear call us on 01280 841400 or email our sales department, who will be happy to have a chat!