Humanscale

As the brand celebrates a quarter-century of the Freedom Chair’s transformative influence, it recognises
the chair’s impact on workplace wellness for countless individuals – from heads of state to corporate
titans to everyday heroes.

The Evolution of Freedom

At CDW a pop-up exhibition in the Humanscale showroom will trace the evolution of this true design
classic, the Freedom chair. From its inception in 1999 to the latest iteration, the Freedom Ocean chair to
launch later this year, guests will be able to experience first-hand how it’s as relevant today as it was
when it was launched. There will also be a sneak peek of the Freedom 25, set to debut this autumn
Freedom 25 is a limited edition of 250 of the iconic Freedom Headrest.

A Legacy of Design Innovation

On Wednesday 22nd May at 5pm, Humanscale will host a panel discussion looking at how design classics
are made, exploring the importance of intuitive use and simplicity of form to create products with
longevity. Hosted by Johanna Agerman Ross – Conran Foundation Chief Curator at the Design Museum
and founder of Disegno. Joined by acclaimed product designer Todd Bracher, Spandana Gopal founder
and creative director of Tiipoi and Jon Marshall of Pentagram Design, this insightful dialogue will delve
into the most significant product designs and innovations of the past 25 years, celebrating a legacy of
creativity and ingenuity.

An Ocean of Creativity: An Interactive Upcycling Workshop

Thursday 23rd May will see a drop-in workshop, a collaborative effort between Humanscale and Are You
Mad, a conscious creative agency. Discarded fishing nets are a major threat to our oceans. But what if
they could be transformed into something wonderful? Join Humanscale and Are You Mad for an inspiring
drop-in workshop where visitors will not only learn how to transform reclaimed plastic from UK shores
into one-of-a kind gifts but will also be contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
The Humanscale showroom welcomes visitors daily from 10am to 6pm throughout Clerkenwell Design
Week.

Humanscale will also host the Design Guild Awards on Tuesday 21st May from 11am
Umbrella & Wagstaff

Eleven dedicated brand presentations from key partners will lead visitors through a journey of circular
design solutions, while the stage area hosts two panel debates, furniture workshops a dedicated CPD
Sustainability presentation.

Umbrella + Friends Partner Exhibitions

‘Umbrella + Friends’ presents a partnership of twelve carefully selected brands that are leading the way
in circular design. A unique, immersive exhibition Edsbyn, FDB Møbler, Isomi, Jott Studio, Le Klint Lighting,
Normann Copenhagen, Square Bear, Swedese, T6, Ton and True Design and Waste to Wonder will each
present beautifully curated room settings that celebrate both new and current products from their
collections.

‘Journey to Circular Design’ | Panel Debate by Roddy Clarke, OnOffice magazine

Tuesday 21 May 6 –7pm. Join Umbrella & Wagstaff for a panel discussion on The Journey to Circular
Design. Join an insightful discussion which examines how, through the power of collaboration and an
open dialogue, a greener future can be achieved, and a circular mindset can become an industry norm.
Chaired by Roddy Clarke from OnOffice Magazine, and an esteemed panel comprising of Alexander Reed
(Hd of Procurement & Product Development, Edsbyn), Matt Redding (Associate, Gensler), Paul Croft
(Design Director, Isomi), Zefa Morgan (Project lead, MCM) and Paul Curtis (Hd of Operations, Waste to
Wonder).

Sample Circularity in Design – Lunchtime CPD Talk by Swatchbox

Wednesday 22nd May 1.00 – 2.00pm.Sample pioneers Swatchbox will delve into the global issue of sample
waste and what they’re doing to support a more circular and sustainable sample experience for the built
environment community.

‘How are you washing your greens’ | Panel Debate by Mick Jordan, WORKS magazine

Wednesday 22nd May 6.00-7.00pm Investigating the complex landscape of sustainability and
environmental accreditations available within the industry, what these accreditations mean, what they
are designed to achieve and how they’re being employed – marketing or for the environment? Compared
by Mick Jordan of Works Magazine and with a panel consisting of Lucy Bagshaw, (Project Director,
Sustainability lead TP Bennett), Ana Rita Martins, (Sustainability Lead MCM), Georgia Elliott-Smith,
(Environmental Consultant Ethos), Colin Macgadie (Co-Founder, For Everyday Life) and Rachel Merriman
(HD of Office Management, FA Premier League).

Silen

As well as utilising one of their UK resellers showrooms to showcase their pods at Kinnarps, Silen will
also be present in the heart of Clerkenwell at Project on the Green situated at Clerkenwell Green. A wellknown hub for contract furniture and surface brands to be brought together, Silen will be using this
space to display their portable Outdoor office pod and the Space 1 rental pod.
Visitors to the Clerkenwell Green will be able to see in person just how inspiring an outdoor pod can be.
Discover inspiration under the sky, Silen Outdoor pods are the perfect place to bring ideas to life a
comfortable, functional and most importantly inspiring space that can be transported to any outdoor
space work and collaborate in snowy wildernesses, green parks or hot pavements of a mid-summer city
site.

Design Hotspots

Celebrating its acoustic properties the outdoor pod will host Design Hotspots a round table from 11am
on Thursday 23 May hosted by William Knight (Renew Consultancy and Material Matters) , the round
table will focus on a discussion about the value and experience of design events, festivals and trade
shows around the world. On the panel are Pallavi Dean (ROAR Studios), Siddharth Peters (Love That
Design), Amber Peters (Bluehaus) and Lee Roberts (Zebra)
Drop into the pod to sample traditional Estonian pastries and coffee each morning of Clerkenwell Design
week from 9.30 am to 11.30 am or drop in for pre-evening drinks and try Estonian gin cocktails from
17.30pm whilst also experiencing the exceptional acoustic qualities of the pods.

Design Meets

As part of Design Meets on Wednesday 22 May at 12pm Sector Dissection is a panel discussion looking
at what different sectors learn from one another the panel comprises experts from workplace,
hospitality, education and residential design discussing the differences in design process, supply chains
as well as the actual finished environments as boundaries blur between the spaces we work, live and
play. Chaired by Alys Bryan (Managing Editor Design Insider) the panel features Marissa Wallder (Senior
Associate, Resonate Interior Architecture), Lee Roberts (Director, Zebra), Thea Ingram (Director, Stanza
Interior Design) and Mitch James (Associate Director BDG architecture + design).

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Hard-working craftsmen and women put more pressure on their knees than many top athletes. That’s why the risk of knee injuries is far higher among trade professionals and manual workers than other occupations ¹

Knee injuries are common in the workplace. Sore and swollen knee joints are something that most tradesmen and women suffer from at one time or another and bumps to the knee can be innocuous but troublesome. They’re a perennial problem and can be highly aggravating, but prevention is far easier than cure by taking the proper steps to look after your knees.

The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body and there are different types of injuries that are of particular concern to anyone who works on their knees for any length of time.

The most common ailment is Housemaid’s Knee or Bursitis, which is caused by kneeling for long periods of time and by repetitive knee movements such as crouching down and standing up. Fluid builds up in the Bursa – which is the sack of fluid that cushions the knee joints – causing swelling, soreness and stiffness in the joint.²

So what’s the answer?

The most effective knee protection in the workplace is, as you might expect, covered by legislation and PPE certification standards. The EN 14404 Knee Protection Standard deals with the size, force-distribution and penetration-resistance of kneepads.

Type 2, Level 1 protection ensures reliable knee protection for workers in a mobile working environment that involves regular kneeling to perform their job. This protection level is designed to protect the knees in all types of working environments where you find rough, hard and damp surfaces as well as ground debris up to 1 cm thick. The Type 2, Level 0 standard designates effective knee protection for those people who need to work on their knees indoors – but only occasionally.³

There have been various types of knee protectors available over the years such as inflexible strap-on pads that cut into the back of your knees, causing bruising and potentially impeding blood circulation.

Effective protection really only comes from combining properly designed Work Trousers that use market-leading fabric technology with a knee protection system that has been thoroughly tested, manufactured and certified using materials that perform to the highest standard day in, day out.

The most effective kneepads are those that work efficiently and in tandem with the design of the Work Trousers they’re used with – staying in precisely the right position all the time to ensure reliable and comfortable knee protection.

Effective kneepads should also feature hard-wearing materials on the outside edges and softer materials in the centre to combine efficient pressure distribution and protection against sharp and rough objects with maximum comfort.

The design should also feature high sides to prevent your knees from sliding off the kneepads.

This design approach will also ensure the kneepads extremely flexible when you walk, while closing around your knees when you kneel down.

Kneepads that stay in position around the knee is crucial and that’s exactly what you get with the patented Snickers Workwear KneeGuard and KneeGuard Pro positioning systems which are complimented by 8 types of kneepads designed for a variety of trades and the demands of different working environments.

Properly designed and certified Trousers and Kneepads will have a pocket design that has special seams which allow the wearer to adjust the kneepads for individualised comfort and protection.  Such a design makes the kneepads ‘flex’ when you walk, which also ensures they automatically mould around your knees when you kneel down.

Most workwear manufacturers supply kneepads for their Work Trousers and they vary in price, quality and effectiveness. It will come as no surprise to most that some have no guarantee of comfort or protection.

However, the more discerning professional tradesmen and women – those particularly concerned with their health and welfare on site – will invest in ‘active’ kneepads that are proven to last and protect. The top-performing ‘active’ kneepads take cutting-edge knee protection to a completely new level with materials like the revolutionary D3O® compound.

D3O® is the world’s best impact protection material with a variety of sports and outdoor activity applications.⁴ It’s an active and specially engineered rubbery material comprising intelligent molecules which ‘flow’ with you as you move.  On shock they lock together to absorb the impact energy which provides high-frequency protection.

The durable D3O® material also features an extremely slow compression rate, ensuring that the kneepads keep their shape during hard work and for long periods of time. What’s more, given that knees are not flat, the ergonomics of D3O® kneepads is important in providing continuous comfort around the profile of your knee.

So when you work a lot on your knees, the market-leading D3O® Kneepads will give you by far the best, long lasting knee protection available.  So when you’re buying Work Trousers and especially the Kneepads, look for the ones that are tested and certified for performance, efficiency and protection to deliver market-leading comfort and wellbeing day in day out.

Getting more information on the Snickers Workwear clothing range is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk and download a digital catalogue or email [email protected]

The post Advanced Knee Protection on site. #workwear #healthandsafety #snickersworkwear appeared first on Health & Safety Update.

Threat of Unknown Waste

From the vast number of identified landfills, 1,287 are known to harbour hazardous waste, creating a potential menace to public health and the environment if uncontrolled seepage occurs.

A large number, approximately 7,265, are repositories of industrial waste, often designated as ‘industrial liquid sludge’. A concerning total of 413 sites hold waste of indeterminable nature, baffling even the Environment Agency (EA).

These old landfills are typically relics of the mid-20th century, referred to by environmental experts as a chaotic trove that could hold any substance. The age of these sites suggests some may have been remediated or contained during redevelopment, though this depends on when such operations were conducted.

Remediation strategies and permissible levels of certain chemicals have evolved, raising the possibility that older sites still harbour materials now recognised as hazardous.

The Hidden Distribution

Based on geographic data, 35 per cent of hazardous sites are lurking beneath green areas, 21 per cent lie beneath farmland, 15 per cent nest under industrial facilities, 10 per cent lurk under parks, 9 per cent sit under houses. Around 750 toxic pits are situated uncomfortably close to water bodies, thirteen are beneath golf courses, while four each are under schools and racing tracks.

These old landfills could potentially be storing substances now severely regulated or entirely banned, such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PFOA, and PFOS – compounds that are extremely toxic to both humans and the environment.

Landfill Remediation and Alternatives

The burden of identifying and remediating these old toxic sites falls primarily on local authorities.

However, they often lack the necessary funding, leaving the sites neglected unless a developer chooses to remediate and develop them. But developers usually prefer sites with predictable and easier-to-handle contamination.

So it’s crucial to explore alternative waste management strategies, including waste reduction, recycling, composting, combustion, and advanced recovery techniques. These alternatives could reduce reliance on landfills, cut greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and contribute to a circular economy.

Alternative Action

The challenge we face is as vast as it is urgent. As responsible custodians of our environment, we must take immediate action to mitigate the legacy of landfill hazards. This involves not just remediation of existing sites but also a radical rethinking of our waste management strategies. By transitioning from a ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a circular one, we can ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Looking beyond landfills, modern waste management strategies are harnessing technological innovations to transform waste into valuable resources, alleviating our reliance on landfilling. While these alternatives offer promising pathways, the true answer lies in curtailing waste production at the source. By promoting conscious consumer habits, efficient recycling programmes, sustainable product design, and public education about waste reduction strategies, we can reduce the overall waste generated.

Dealing with the landfills

This fight against the remnants of historic landfills and the pursuit of sustainable waste management solutions requires collective efforts. It calls for cooperation between environmental agencies, local councils, the government, and private companies.

SafeSite Security Solutions stands at the forefront of environmentally sustainable waste removal and looks forward to assisting in the remediation of old landfills. For future waste disposal, they have formed strategic partnerships with local councils to implement effective waste collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal practices.

Michael Knibbs, Managing Director at SafeSite Security Solutions, comments: “We are committed to promoting environmentally sustainable waste removal practices. Through our partnership with local councils, we aim to reduce the environmental impact of waste while contributing to the creation of a greener and more sustainable future.”

“The task at hand demands innovative solutions and concerted efforts. By uncovering alternatives to landfilling, prioritising waste reduction strategies, and forging strategic partnerships, we can curtail the environmental impact of waste and safeguard a more sustainable future for the generations to come.”

If you need land clearance done properly, first time round, contact SafeSite Security Solutions .

The post What Lies Below: The Landfill Mess appeared first on Health & Safety Update.

Dust in the workplace continues to receive national attention as a hidden killer. The latest Health & Safety Executive (HSE) statistics revealed that 12,000 deaths were reported as a result of lung disease from past exposures at work. Annually, there are an estimated 19,000 new cases of lung or breathing problems believed to be caused or made worse by the working environment.

To support the health and safety of workers, the HSE is planning targeted site visits across the UK this summer, supporting its “Dust Kills” campaign focused on respiratory risks from hazardous dust exposure.

There are a wide range of substances in the workplace that have the potential to cause harm to health if ingested, inhaled, or in contact with skin, often leading to irreversible respiratory diseases, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inspectors will check if control measures are in place to protect workers from inhaling construction dust, including silica (Respirable Crystalline Silica/RCS) and wood dust. They will also check that asbestoscontaining materials have been identified and removed or managed where necessary to prevent or reduce exposure.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations (COSHH), the levels of inhalable general dust in the workplace should not exceed 10mg/m3 and the level of respirable dust must not exceed 4 mg/m3. Employers are advised to control levels constantly to ensure such maximums are never reached. From the thousands of substances that can be found within a working environment, 500 are given specific limits, under Workplace Exposure Limits regulations, commonly referred to as WELs. For example, cobalt metal has an exposure limit of 0.1 mg/m3 and silica is 0.1 mg/m3, meaning workers can only be exposed to a small amount before the substance potentially becomes hazardous to health. If such substances are identified in the working environment, employers must be familiar with the relevant exposure limit figures. If a substance does not have a published WEL, it doesn’t mean it is safe and exposure should be limited to as low as is practicably possible.

Personal monitoring in the form of personal dust sampling pumps is the preferred method to measure dust exposure levels in the workplace, allowing employers to remain compliant with government safety standards with a completely accurate record of individual exposure levels.

Personal sampling pumps offer a more enhanced monitoring system that can always provide data records. Data can be collected throughout seasonal and weather changes – in the summer months, there may be better ventilation, where windows might be open, as opposed to winter months, where lower ventilation can make for a dustier environment.

Based on the findings, further practices for dust control can be modified. Workers may be required to wear additional respiratory protective equipment, or the location may need to be fitted with ventilation systems. When new processes are introduced, including new machinery and ventilation equipment systems, the sampling pumps enable tests to keep exposure limits to a minimum. Ultimately, this allows workforces to become more engaged, with more insight than ever on the steps being taken to measure and improve their health in the workplace.

Casella urges businesses to put measures in place to protect employees from hazardous exposure as occupational lung disease continues to impact the lives of workers in Great Britain.

www.casellasolutions.com/

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Now in its fourth year, Hard Hat Awareness Week was specifically designed and created to encourage best practice around safety equipment, awareness of head injuries, and to educate on real-life impact scenarios.

As chief sponsor of Hard Hat Awareness Week, MSA Safety will be taking part in the event in a variety of ways, from roundtables and discussion panels to product demos – all with the aim of supporting the initiative’s efforts to highlight the criticality of wearing head protection when working in risky situations.

Russel Pieters, Senior Field Sales Manager for MSA comments: “We’re absolutely delighted to be sponsoring Hard Hat Awareness Week this year, as a company that has a lasting heritage and huge focus on head protection helping to keep people safe whilst they work.”

Head protection is a critical issue that warrants greater attention. According to research conducted in the UK, around one in five of all fatal and non-fatal injuries are head related. This is compounded by unsafe habits.

Despite hard hats being a critical component of keeping employees safe from harm, a MSA Safety survey revealed that nearly half of workers “rarely” or “don’t ever” wear a hard hat, while less than one in five wear a hard hat most of the time.

“HHAW is a great event which presents a fantastic opportunity to really raise awareness of the risks of not getting head protection right, as well as the benefits of choosing the best safety equipment for workers. At MSA we disregard the notion that hard hats serve one purpose. Physical safety is paramount, but there are many associated benefits of great head protection, from confident and happy workers to more productive and efficient businesses” explains Pieters.

Chris Tidy, Founder of Hard Hat Awareness Week, adds: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome MSA Safety on board as key sponsor of HHAW. Manufacturers have such a fundamental role to play in ensuring the highest levels of safety when it comes to head protection, so we’re excited to have such a formidable player in safety strongly represented during this year’s edition. MSA has been really forthcoming in their support of what we’re trying to achieve.”

From June 12-18, Hard Hat Awareness Week promises to be week packed of networking and educational opportunities. Those interested in taking part and/or helping to raise awareness of head injuries and the need for appropriate PPE should visit the event’s website at www.hardhatawarenessweek.com.

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From the new Khaki to Class 1,2 and 3 High-Vis options, Snickers Workwear has tops and colour choices for those professional tradesmen and women who want to look and stay cool on site this summer.

Look out for the LiteWork tops, all made from a functional and quick-drying polyester fabric that delivers everyday comfort and UPF40+ protection in sunny weather. They also have a bio based anti-odour finish for cool, ventilating comfort when it’s warm on site.

Whatever style option you choose, every Snickers Workwear summer top has a street-smart body-mapping design for a great fit, outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day, every day.

Getting more information on the Snickers Workwear clothing range is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk and or email [email protected]

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The Modular X18 backpack can hold up to 15kg and adapts perfectly to its wearer, thanks to the fully foldable front and back, a laptop compartment, a removable tool board and ergonomic back padding.

The durable fabric made from sustainable recycled synthetic fibre is splash-proof and easy to clean. The waterproof, 6cm-high base shell made of impact-resistant plastic ensures that the backpack stands firmly on the ground when open or closed.

Innovative FIDLOCK connectors and adapters with fabric loops and MOLLE straps provide options for individual tool storage and access to those tools. There are also two separate inner compartments on the front and back for tools, measuring devices, and a 15” notebook or tablet.

With a total of 21 straps, 37 pockets and a luggage strap, everything that needs to be close at hand can be stowed away – whether it’s tools or a laptop. A luggage strap also allows it to be attached to the telescopic handles of tool cases.

The practical backpack weighs only 2.9kg and is available empty or fully equipped for the electrical or plumbing sector.

The KNIPEX Modular X18 Electric (00 21 50 E) is equipped with 16 KNIPEX tools, a total of 22 branded tools, partially VDE-tested according to DIN EN 60900.

For HVAC professionals, the KNIPEX Modular X18 Plumbing (00 21 50 S) has been packed with 12 KNIPEX tools, a total of 17 branded tools, also partially VDEtested according to DIN EN 60900.

The Modular X18 recently won the Plus X Award in the categories ease of use, functionality, high quality and ergonomics.

www.knipex.com/

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The schedule of free-to-attend, accessible webinars cover Casella’s core areas of expertise, including workplace monitoring for noise, dust, gas and vapor hazards, as well as instrumentation usage and best practice. Each webinar is between 30 to 45 minutes and will conclude with a Q&A session to recap. 

The webinar schedule is set to run as follows: 

7th June – Setting up Air Sampling Pumps 

Setting up air sampling pumps and their associated items is paramount to ensuring accurate exposure data. This webinar covers selecting the correct pump, setting up the ‘sample train’ and ensuring accurate flow, as well as best practices to ensure good quality data.  

28th June – Introduction to HAV Monitoring 

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a serious condition that can be prevented with the correct control of exposure. This webinar reviews the terminology about HAV measurement, legislation and exposure limits, as well as how to measure exposure on the tool correctly and subsequently calculate exposure levels.  

13th July – Introduction to Asbestos Sampling 

Many corporations are dealing with various complex asbestos issues. During this 30-minute webinar, Casella’s experts will provide an overview of the international use of asbestos, both now and historically. Attendees will learn how to recognise the hazardous material, how to sample for it and how to comply with legislation.  

7th September – Use of SLMs and Noise Dosimeters; the best practice guide! 

Casella will cover the principles of when to use a noise dosimeter or sound level meter, and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Attendees will also learn the ‘dos and don’ts’ of each type of instrument, to obtain a best practice guide and get the most out of their noise instruments 

29th September – Environmental Boundary Monitoring in Construction: Best Practice 

Boundary monitors can measure dust, noise, ground vibration, and wind parameters. Getting accurate measurements from these units to ensure quality data for reporting and preventing environmental complaints is critical. This webinar covers the correct siting and installation of monitoring units to ensure compliance with guidance and legislation and ensures an understanding of the operation and maintenance of the sensor in line with best practices.  

 
19th October – Introduction to Dust Sampling 

Dust monitoring using air sampling pumps has several facets that are key to ensuring successful measurements. During this webinar, Casella will share insights on the types of dust to measure and how to select the correct equipment such as sampling heads or filters. Attendees will also gain insights into the calculation of airborne concentration, and more importantly exposure.  

 
10th November – Introduction to Air Sampling 

Attendees of this webinar will keep up with the ever-changing requirements and the rigour of air monitoring and testing. Airborne hazards from fibres, gases, dust, and vapors can all cause potentially life-threatening illnesses affecting the lungs. Air sampling is a method of monitoring a worker’s exposure to these potential hazards. But what equipment do you need for each scenario? 

To sign up for any of these industry-leading webinars, free of charge, please visit the following link: https://tsiinc.webex.com/webappng/sites/tsiinc/webinar/webinarSeries/register/07a8cd379f8d4d89b9671b69fb8477d9 

To find out more about Casella’s industry-leading range of monitoring solutions, please visit www.casellasolutions.com  

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With a total investment of around £95 million, the new factory has been commissioned to grow capacity, improve cost efficiency, and boost sustainability.

Once at full capacity, the Desford factory will be able to manufacture 180 million bricks per annum, enough to produce 25,000 new homes and provide customers with an additional 120 million domestically produced bricks compared to the old factory’s previous output. On a company-wide scale this increase in brick production capacity represents a growth of around 22%.

The new factory incorporates state-of-the-art innovations with sustainability mechanisms, robotics hardware, and advanced packaging solutions, which streamline its production processes to be as efficient and sustainable as possible while satisfying the ongoing demands of customers. As a result of these changes, the bricks produced at Desford will have a carbon footprint approximately 25% lower than those from the old factory.

Dr Luke Evans, who has visited the factory numerous times during the course of its development, unveiled Desford’s official plaque at the launch ceremony and delivered a speech to mark the occasion, congratulating Forterra on its commitment to Britain’s manufacturing industry.

Neil Ash, CEO of Forterra, said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Desford factory, which represents a significant milestone for Forterra. This new factory’s impressive production capacity demonstrates our commitment to meeting the ongoing demands of the housing sector in our mission to Keep Britain Building.

“At the same time, our innovations at Desford have streamlined our operations to ensure that our production is as efficient and sustainable as possible, so that we can satisfy customer demand whilst still being on course to meet our ambitious ESG targets.”

“Indeed, the Desford factory is the latest in a series of investments and developments Forterra has made over the past year towards becoming more sustainable and efficient, including a solar farm, a new eco-fleet of trucks, and new packaging solutions which place us a step closer to achieving our goal of attaining a 50% reduction in single-use plastics by 2025.

“We’re thrilled to open the biggest, most efficient brick factory in Europe, and look forward to Desford’s productive future.”

For more information, please visit: www.forterra.co.uk.

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The BBC Reported recently that the latest dumping ground for our unwanted clothing is the rapidly growing Fast Fashion graveyard in Chile’s Atacama desert.[1] Traders in Chile import unwanted clothes of all types mainly from Europe and the US, to resell both locally and to other Latin American nations. But more than half of the 60,000 tonnes of clothes imported into Chile each year ends up in illegal desert landfills, with dire consequences for the environment and the local communities.

Sadly, it’s typical of an all too familiar story in our throw-away culture of how the demand for Fast Fashion is contributing to long-term waste and seriously impacting the environment. While it’s a relatively new buzzword, Fast Fashion is certainly at the heart of the sustainability debate in the clothing industry. As far as protective wear is concerned and, especially given its short lifecycle, cheap protective wear is effectively becoming its own kind of Fast Workwear.

Fast Fashion is cheap clothing produced to satisfy a short-term mass-market demand. That’s precisely what Fast Workwear – cheap protective wear – does. It fulfils a demand for low-cost working clothes and PPE, satisfying a conscious buying decision made by individuals and businesses. They believe they are investing in a cost-effective solution and saving themselves money. But cheap protective wear comes with a hidden cost – because of its short life cycle it’s not sustainable and our environment pays the price.

So just how big is the throw-away clothing problem in the UK? It’s said that each Briton owns an average of 115 garments and that the UK is the fourth largest textile-waster in Europe. In 2018, £12.5 billion worth of the UK’s clothes went to landfill. Sadly, most consumers are blissfully unaware that the clothing industry is resource-intensive. Globally, the Fast Fashion industry uses 1.5 trillion tonnes of water each year and, given the volume of chemicals used in its manufacturing processes, it is the second biggest polluter of water supplies and also responsible for 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions. What’s more, these figures are not about to start decreasing given that the demand for raw materials in the industry is expected to triple by 2050.[2] 

Pioneering sustainable practices.

The leading protective wear brands are beginning to think carefully about sustainability by considering the processes and resources required to make clothing. They are also advocating buying better-quality garments that will last longer and incorporating recycled fibres into their fabric and garment materials technology thereby reducing our plastic footprint.

For the likes of the Hultafors Group and particularly its protective wear brand Snickers Workwear, the transition to adopting sustainable business practices and product development is a priority. The linear business principle followed by some cheaper clothing and footwear brands is essentially a ‘take, make, dispose’ practice in which raw materials are taken to make products, and once they have reached the end of their useful life, they are disposed of – without any consideration for cost and impact. Snickers Workwear’s philosophy is to ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’ and turn waste into workwear. It’s an approach which involves reducing the resources used during a product’s manufacture and striving to keep these products in effective use for as long as possible.

Snickers Workwear’s vision is to be at the forefront of sustainability by using smarter solutions and technologies, including sourcing the highest quality, most hard-wearing products in its AllroundWork, FlexiWork, Litework and RuffWork ranges with as little environmental impact as possible. Some of the steps the brand is taking to improve its environmental performance include:

• Prioritising premium materials for premium products through their internal and external supplier assurance process (Show OEKO-TEX and Blue Design logos)
• Prioritising Preferred Fibres which are those that have more sustainable properties in comparison to conventional options.
• Recycling man-made materials such as nylon and polyester fabrics to create new, Preferred Fibres that have the same performance levels in comfort, flexibility and durability as the originals.
• Ensuring garments made from Preferred Fibres deliver high levels of durability and comfort, because creating hard-wearing products with a long product lifetime is key to reducing waste.
• Choosing the most appropriate fibre to achieve a long tire-time for different types of garment – this might include man-made materials, such as nylon and polyester, that can easily be recycled to create new raw material with the same performance level as the original virgin material.
• Committing to conscious cotton choices with a goal of sourcing 80% of cotton as more sustainable cotton by 2023. 
• Driving demand for Better Cotton, and initiativewhich positively impacts farmers and the environment, see bettercotton.org
• Using a more sustainable colouring processes that significantly reduce water, chemicals and energy use – commonly referred to as dope dye.
• Using ‘Mulesing-Free’ Merino Wool to prevent animal cruelty

How can you make a difference?

As manufacturers navigate the complex and challenging transition to more circular and sustainable business models, you can support them by evaluating environmental standards within your supply chains and valuing those companies who are committed to improving sustainability. Things you can do include:

• Avoid Fast Workwear andcheap protective wear products.
• Get to know your supply chain and seek out socially and environmentally conscious trusted suppliers
• Invest in quality workwear – select products that are built to last that can be kept in use as long as possible
• Work with suppliers on how to extend the lifespan of a garment. Responsible suppliers will be able to advise you and support you in increasing a product’s lifespan
• Educate workers on the importance of looking after products to extend their longevity. It is said to be easier to select new garments than wash or maintain existing garments in some workplaces. Therefore, consider whether employees need support in looking after garments or if a maintenance service is an option.   
• Look for the labels. Ask whether adopt the Better Cotton, OEKO-TEX, Blue Design or any other standards which can provide reassurance that high environmental standards are being followed throughout their supply chains.  

Finally…

Increasing levels of awareness about the impact of waste on our environment will surely have an impact on the clothes people choose for work in years to come. For Snickers Workwear, this sustainable product development and initiatives for Turning Waste into Workwear is being be applied to every new product in the Snickers Workwear collection. It brings additional assurance that the Snickers Hallmarks of design, comfort, functionality and durability will not be compromised in any way.

Snickers Workwear’s objective is to ensure that by 2030, 70% of the fabrics used are Preferred Fibres – those with sustainable properties and a lower environmental footprint. As early as 2023, the company will be at 40% – a significant achievement by any measure. This will deliver full manufacturing transparency, traceability and thus reduce our climate impact and prevent waste from going into landfill.

Sustainable garment manufacturing aligned with conscious, sustainable buying decisions holds great promise in helping us to achieve our climate goals and secure the health of the planet for future generations. But we must work together to be successful. If you are looking for partners in sustainability and protective wear products that will help reduce your carbon footprint, please contact the Hultafors Group UK to see how you can collaborate on accelerating positive change.  

www.snickersworkwear.com

[1] BBC News, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-60249712

[2] Hazel Needham,  https://onetribeglobal.com/sustainable-lifestyle/what-is-fast-fashion/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAu62QBhC7ARIsALXijXSwfzw_AAiDXUHG2u3DurUAVDmKaPNqtFWXgKyyuFXRUK2MSww_vGcaAkFYEALw_wcB

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