SLAM's Sustainability Initiative: Reducing Environmental Impact through Ethical Fashion

One of our favourite brands, SLAM, is a brand committed to merging marine style with environmental responsibility. From reimagining materials to redefining supply chains, SLAM is paving the way towards a more ethical and sustainable future for the fashion industry. At Ross & Whitcroft, we are always looking to reduce our environmental impact and are so impressed with SLAM’s sustainability initiative. Read more below for a full outline of their sustainability initiative.


 

SUSTAINABILITY

Respect for the environment is based on our origins as seafarers and their culture of protection of the marine environment. Many of the fabrics used to manufacture SLAM’s outerwear contain polyester and nylon, products with fibres obtained from recycling plastic bottles, fishing nets, and industrial waste.

 

THEIR COMMITMENT

SLAM’s commitment to sustainable production is serious, tangible, and constant. Over 40% of our articles have at least one sustainable component. The virtuous circle starts within the company itself, in a conscious way, with concrete choices and use of good practices. By deciding to bring back a part of the manufacture of top-of-the-range products to Europe and a part to Italy, SLAM have performed a manufacturing reshoring process that has a major impact on sustainability from an economic, environmental, and social standpoint. They are, in fact, bringing the origin of the articles closer to the consumers who will wear them. SLAM have decided to eliminate garment dying and thus have considerably reduced water consumption and pollution. Their dyeing plants operate in full compliance with the highest standards, with use of certified dyes and the best management of wastewater.

 

RECYCLED

Fabrics from recycled raw materials


In order to reduce the environmental impact, SLAM is undertaking to use many fabrics made with fibres obtained from recycling plastic bottles, fishing nets and industrial waste in the manufacture of its clothing. While plastic is becoming one of the most serious problems for the planet for some, for others it is an incredible resource on which to base the development of environmentally friendly projects. Recycling means saving raw materials, energy and water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that only 140 thousand out of the 480 thousand tons of PET produced are recovered, with the rest ending up at the garbage dump. Technology has now made it possible to obtain state-of-the-art textile fibres using both pre-consumer and post-consumer plastic waste. A complex chemical and mechanical process is used to turn plastic bottles, fishing nets and industrial waste into polyester flakes, which are then melted into granules, extruded into fibres, and spun. Research has demonstrated that the production of fibres from post-consumption recycled waste requires 75% less water and 47% less energy and produces 55% fewer emissions than fibres made from the original, petroleum-based raw material.

 

ORGANIC COTTON

The cotton used for SLAM’s t-shirts, polo shirts and sweatshirts come from organic crops that reduce the environmental impact and the need for energy resources. Organic cotton is the environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cotton. It is grown using methods with a low environmental impact and organic production systems are used to fertilise the ground, thus eliminating the use of harmful pesticides and chemical fertilisers that persist in both the environment and in the cotton itself. These chemical compounds remain in the fibres, even after washing, and can pollute water. Use of organic cotton also reduces the risk of allergies and skin rashes. The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) recognised by all major international markets is the certification that confirms the use of natural fibres from organic crops.

 

BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE (BCI)

For the manufacture of SLAM’s cotton pants, they have chosen materials certified by the BCI, the world’s leading initiative for cotton sustainability, whose mission is to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. The BCI aim is to transform cotton production throughout the world, countering the negative impacts of cotton growing and processing. The BCI promotes continual and measurable improvements for the environment, agricultural communities, and the economies of cotton-producing areas. Ten years after the program started, almost one quarter of the world’s cotton is produced according to the Better Cotton Standard, confirming that it does not just want cotton, but better cotton. The aim of the program is to reduce by 50% the greenhouse gas emissions per ton of Better Cotton produced by 2030.

 

BIOFLEECE

Everyone knows that one of the most hazardous and invasive sources of water pollution is the release, during washing of microfibres, of microplastics that then also enter the food cycle. SLAM is determined to contribute to solving this problem. Research is being performed on innovative materials containing biodegradable microfibres that dissolve in the environment. The Biopile material created by Pontetorto is the first fleece that does not release the hazardous particles that destroy rivers and seas at every wash. What makes it unique is its unusual construction: the inner side of the fabric, formed of frayed yarn that normally releases microfibres, is formed of biodegradable natural fibres, particles that decompose, without leaving any residues, in under 90 days; the outer part of the fabric is formed of a continuous resistance filament in 100% recycled polyester.

 

SLAM is proud to raise awareness and take environmental responsibility thanks to the use of natural and recycled fibres in their clothing.

 

Original article - SLAM.