gradually, driven by consumer
awareness and demand. Look for
the Bluesign product logo (Know
Logo, p67), which guarantees
sustainable manufacturing, and
get savvy about your fabrics.NYLON: Used for its low weight and
high durability. Recent advances in
recycling technology have given us
Econyl – regenerated waste nylonthat can be recycled again – and
biodegradable nylon. Finnish brand
Zeropoint uses Econyl in most of its
compression products, proving the
fabric’s performance credentials.POLYESTER: Widely used on its own or
in combination with other materials,
as it’s cheap and can be woven into
soft, light, stretchy fabrics. Increasing
numbers of polyester garments arePakistan, Swaziland, Saudi Arabia,
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates
as the top 10 worst countries for
workers’ rights.
Conditions in factories across
China are variable and while some
brands, such as US-based Patagonia
and German brand Vaude carry out
regular audits and support factory
owners in looking after their staff,
others are less conscientious. A recent
investigation by US-based NGO
China Labor Watch found long hours,
poor conditions and low pay were
common in Chinese factories.
Ultimately, brands are responsible
for the transparency of their supply
chains. An outstanding example is
Patagonia’s Footprint Chronicles,
which provides details for every
stage of its supply chain, including
photographs of the factories. When
it’s less obvious, look for labels such
as Fair Wear and Fair Trade (see
Know Logo, p67).WHAT’S IT
MADE FROM?
RUNNING KIT is made from synthetic
materials such as polyester, nylon
and polypropelene; natural fabrics,
including wool and bamboo; or a
mixture of synthetic and natural.
Production can be heavy on chemical
and water usage and wastage, which
escapes into our rivers, oceans and
air, but processes are improving12Nike and Adidas have
taken steps to reduce
environmental impact
and improve workers’
rights. In 2011 both
brands, along with
New Balance, Puma
and Asics, signed the
Indonesian Freedom
of Association
Protocol, committing
to decent livelihoods
for workers.
Nike’s Grind
materials are made
using pre-consumer
scraps, waste stock
and post-consumer
recycled footwear
collected through the
brand’s Reuse-A-Shoe
programme. Nike and
other big brands,including Adidas and
Asics, are also pushing
for fewer parts.
Gore and Brooks
are bluesign system
partners, with access
to the latest info on
sustainable choices in
its manufacturing.
Vaude combines its
strict guidelines on
environmental
responsibility with
external accred-
itations. Its Green
Shape Core Collection
is a high-performing
clothing system made
with 90 per cent
biobased, recycled or
natural materials.
Patagonia’s mission
is to ‘build the bestproduct, cause no
unnecessary harm,
use business to inspire
and implement
solutions to the
environmental crisis’.
The brand has long
stressed the problems
associated with
textile manufacture.
Paramo and sister
company Nikwax
produce PFC-free
active clothing that’s
environmentally and
socially responsible.
Over 80 per cent of
garments are made
with the Miquelina
Foundation in
Colombia, which
provides vulnerable
women with training,employment, housing
and childcare.
Smaller brands are
also stepping up.
UK-based Sundried
manufactures in
Europe and all of its
new range is made
from recycled plastic
bottles and coffee
grounds. Icebreaker
and Smartwool
produce merino wool
with a transparent,
fair and sustainable
supply chain. Wales-
based Howies makes
PFC-free waterproof
jackets, while
Finisterre uses a wide
range of sustainable
fabrics and is now
B Corp-certified.BRAND
AWARE
Is your brand of
choice moving in
the right direction?064 RUNNERSWORLD.COM/UK MAY 2019