Sustainability - No Going Back

Sustainability - No Going Back

Sustainability has never been higher on the agenda and there’s no going back says Sarah Robins, Banner’s Sustainability Manager.

Awareness of the challenges posed by global warming and the need to think again about the impact of our lifestyles on the planet has never been greater. The recent COP26 conference in Glasgow was a global showcase for the issues we all face and underneath the politics and negotiations there emerged a clear sentiment that we must take action now.

But for all that the tide is turning, sometimes when I read news reports, the obstacles to progress can seem overwhelming. How can we as individuals or small companies make a difference? Where do we start and what are the right steps to take? These are just some of the questions many of us are asking in our homes, our communities, and our businesses.

Thankfully, we are not facing these problems alone, and by working together we can make a substantial impact for the good. We can also take heart from knowing that in doing our bit, we encourage others to do the same. The really good news for the schoolwear industry is that as public sentiment shifts, it’s increasingly the right thing to do for our businesses too.

Anyone who saw Greta Thunberg addressing the crowds at COP26 can be in no doubt that young people have a powerful voice in this debate. Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International, claimed that ‘Youth have brought critical urgency to the talks.’ That’s true, and it’s clear that over time their support for radical change will impact not just our politicians but our schools, parents and the purchase decisions they make.

Here at Banner, we’ve embraced this challenge, setting new goals that will stretch us like never before. We’ve done this not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we believe the shift to sustainable supply chains is irreversible.

Only last week the new Education Act became law, requiring schools to give greater consideration to sustainability and recycling. As we go forward, we know we must help our retailers and schools to meet these requirements.

Recently, I worked with my colleagues in agreeing our sustainability strategy for the next few years. We’ll be telling you more as our plans unfold, but for now, here are some of the highlights.

We want Banner to be your partner in improving the sustainability of what you sell, helping you to meet the aspirations of young people, while addressing the needs of your schools and new legislation. By working together, we can make difference that not only matters but is material in its impact. What’s more we can make that difference a point of competitive advantage for us all.

Perhaps the most important thing is that we are committed to this journey. I like to walk in the hills in my spare time, and anyone who does that will know there is often a point of no return – where the effort required to reach the summit is the only practical way forward. I passionately believe this is where we are at in Banner and our industry today. For the truth is, sustainability and responsible manufacture is here to stay. There’s no going back and actually, that’s a good thing for us all.

GOOD TO KNOW - 100% of our garments will be eco by 2025 – we’re already nearly half way there!

GOOD TO KNOW - Up to 48 plastic bottles are recycled to make a Ziggys blazer.