Workin’ Gear Schools in conjunction with our company group has a ethical purchasing practice policy in place. WGG holds high ethical standards and values ethical and sustainable production throughout its supply chain. WGG selects suppliers who share these values and believes in building strong relationships with our suppliers and partnering with suppliers who will work towards improving and upholding these standards. It is of benefit to our business to ensure these standards are being met to avoid damage to the reputation of our business and impacts on supply of our products. Our policy aims to inform and educate our business in the impacts of our supply chain on human rights and environmental impacts and seeks to form partnerships with suppliers who share these values.
Consideration is given when contracting business services to the sustainability policies and actions of each business. Preference is given to those demonstrating an active culture of environmental awareness and sustainability approaches. Our suppliers demonstrate such initiatives as Carbon Neutral Operations, by Steel Blue, PVC Recycling by Gumboot manufacture Bata and the incorporation of recycled fibres in the production of their garments by Rainbird, Bizcolletion and Mr Charles.
C.2 GARMENT LIFECYCLE
As part of our supplier selection, garment quality and longevity are of a high consideration. Hardwearing garments that can withstand frequent laundering including soaking and scrubbing are a key requirement. Colour fastness and fade resistance are also high considerations. This needs to be balanced with wearer comfort and individual preferences and requirements.
Garment care is outlined on every garment and supported by our customer education program. These are shared instore, on our website and social media channels and include guidance on quantities of uniforms to buy, laundering tips and tricks and sizing guidance.
Initiatives to further prolong garment life cycle are consistently being explored. The establishment of a school uniform buy back scheme or online trading sytem is in development. Along with fibre reuse, footwear/boot recycling and branded uniform reuse by international children’s charities. In school 2ndhand uniform initiatives are strongly supported and the option of out sourcing this alongside new uniforms is offered to schools.
Our uniform range includes garments proudly made from 100% recycled fibres, from recycled water bottles, with no reduction in quality or function.
Garments are able to be returned to the store and accessed for repair. These are repaired locally, at one of two family owned local operations. The cost of repair where identified as a manufacturing fault is covered by the business. All other repairs are offered to our customers on an at cost option.
Excess new clothing and protective gear is directed to charities such as Good 360, The Smith Family and small programs such as the Men’s Shed and Winnunga Aboriginal Health, where they are reused and avoid being sent to landfill. Good 360’s platform to match donations with parties seeking particular items which further reduces the chance of the items becoming waste.
PACKAGING
Workin’ Gear Schools takes measures to minimise waste.
Packing of individual uniform items is minimised where possible. Our garments are generally package free with the exception of some stock that is received pre-packaged from the supplier. Further measures are being taken to request no packing from suppliers that offer this option. Swing tags used on the products are made from a recyclable paper stock and can be recycled through regular domestic recycling systems.
All stock packaging is re-used to package goods for dispatch, with excess packaging recycled by approved waste contractors. Goods and freight are consolidated to maximise shipping efficiencies and orders dispatched from the closest location of available stock. Recyclable, compostable and re-usable packaging is used at all times where practical.
Customers at the time of sales are given the option to refuse bagging for their items and customer provided bags are strongly supported. Sustainable and reusable bag options are utilised and additional options continually explored.
