Sustainability with Sarah Robins

Sustainability with Sarah Robins.

Sustainability Manager, Banner Group.

As I write this piece I’ve just seen an advert for the London Marathon; twenty six miles of effort and energy that attracts thousands of participants every year. It’s astonishing to think that the elite athletes will complete the course in just over two hours. But to me, the most inspiring are those who take more than twice that time, yet finish with the biggest smiles on their faces.

The advert was only a moment on my day, but it reminded me how anything worthwhile takes time, and that rushing to the finish is seldom the best way to proceed. Three years ago we set out on a marathon of our own: for all our garments to be manufactured in eco fabrics by 2025. What’s more, we planned to become carbon neutral,give back to nature and work to the highest ethical standards in our supply chain. It felt like a long road ahead!

And in truth, we are not yet there.

But just like running a marathon, we have made steady progress and are energised by the feedback from those wishing us to succeed. This coming year, two-thirds of our products will be made with eco fabrics; our overseas factories will be operating to higher standards than ever and our commitment to the planet will continue apace. We said we wanted to clothe children from ‘head to toe in eco’ – actually, we are not far off that goal but, as every runner knows, the last few miles are often the hardest.

Our sustainability report sets all this out in detail. What’s more, to help get the message across we’ve put together a visual summary of our progress in an easy to read presentation. It’s been designed so you can use its charts and graphics with schools and customers, showing how, by stocking Banner products, you are supporting goals they share.

More than ever, I’m convinced that ‘schoolwear for good’ is going to be the differentiator of the future. Price matters too and part of our journey is to make sure that the transition to eco is done in a way that doesn’t hurt customers’ wallets. This is also why the durability and wearability of eco garments are essential —it’s not all about fabrics, its’ about design and function and making sure that what we produce will last the course!

Which brings me back to that marathon. I doubt I’ll be entering anytime soon, though I’m pleased to know some who are. I’ll be cheering them on from the sidelines, and watching carefully as they come to those last few miles. I’ve no doubt they’ll get there and when they do, the smiles will be broader than ever.