Spotting Greenwashing When Looking for Hospitality Uniforms: A Guide by Pam Burnett
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My name is Pam Burnett, and I've been an ambassador for sustainable fashion and clothing since 2004. I've dedicated my career to creating planet-friendly apparel, and today I want to shed light on an issue that has been bothering me lately: greenwashing.
"You may not know, but I've been in the sustainable fashion industry for quite some time. In 2004, I founded Earthchild, a fashion brand that introduced fashionable clothing made from 100% certified organic cotton. I delved deep into sustainability, researching it on a commercial scale and even traveling to international suppliers to gain knowledge and expertise. In 2013, I brought my passion for sustainable practices to Australia and established Cream Collection, the first Australian company to design and supply 100% sustainably sourced and ethically made trade apparel. Sustainability is not just a buzzword for me—it's a way of life."
The reason I'm addressing this issue is because, as a sustainability pioneer, I feel compelled to share my knowledge and help you make informed decisions. Today, I received an email from a company that was shamelessly greenwashing its customers about their supposedly sustainable products. This motivated me to step off my soapbox and hit the streets to educate others about what "sustainability" and "ethical" truly mean. After all, how can we make the right choices if we aren't armed with educated knowledge?
So, if you're reading this, it means you care about the future. It means you want to attract happy team members and believe that planet-friendly practices are the way forward, even if you're just beginning to explore this path. I'm here to help you make informed decisions.
Now, let's address the elephant in the room. If you don't care about the planet, if all you care about is cheap pricing and poor quality, or if you're seeking to be greenwashed by false marketing, stop reading now. However, if you genuinely want to learn how to spot greenwashing and make sustainable choices for your hospitality uniforms, then you're in the right place.
Greenwashing is the deceptive practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental or ethical attributes of a product or service. Unfortunately, it's prevalent in various industries, including hospitality. But fear not! I'm here to equip you with the knowledge to cut through the greenwashing and make choices that align with your values.
Here are a few tips to help you spot greenwashing when searching for hospitality uniforms:
Look beyond buzzwords: Many companies use catchy terms like "eco-friendly," "sustainable," or "green" to attract eco-conscious customers. However, these words are often used without any concrete evidence to back them up. Dig deeper and ask for specific details about the materials used, certifications obtained, or ethical manufacturing processes.
Check for third-party certifications: Genuine sustainability efforts are often verified by reputable certifications such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Fairtrade, or WRAP. These certifications ensure that the product meets rigorous environmental and social standards. Don't hesitate to ask the supplier if their uniforms carry any of these certifications.
Transparency is key: Ethical and sustainable brands are proud of their practices and are transparent about their supply chain, manufacturing processes, and materials used. Look for companies that openly share this information, as it demonstrates their commitment to sustainability.
Quality over quantity: Fast fashion and low-quality garments are rarely sustainable. Instead, seek out durable uniforms made from high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Investing in long-lasting apparel reduces waste and contributes to a more sustainable future.
Social responsibility matters: Sustainability encompasses not only environmental considerations but also ethical treatment of workers. Look for companies that prioritize fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for labor rights throughout their supply chain.
By keeping these tips in mind, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the world of hospitality uniforms and avoid falling victim to greenwashing.
Thanks for taking the time to read this! If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out to me here. I'm here to help you make informed decisions and create a sustainable future.
Remember, together we can make a difference and ensure that sustainability goes beyond mere marketing claims. Let's pave the way for a greener and more ethical hospitality industry!
Warm regards,
Pam Burnett Sustainability Pioneer and Founder of Cream Collection
Store owner replied:
Wow! What awesome pics Josh, you look great as usual :) Thanks for your ongoing support.
Whether working the grill, pass or larder. You are always going to look good in the shirt. Comfortable & cool (if you are standing over a coal grill for 12hrs you are gonna sweat no matter what you wear). Always feel proud rolling into a shift in one of these.
Store owner replied:
Wow! You look great Olly, and Thank you for your beautiful review. It's much appreciated and we are sure this will assist other chefs who work in hot environments and want to look and feel cool. Thank you again.
I love the product, comfy and cool to wear. Special the apron really love it with the design.
Store owner replied:
Hi Phillip, thanks for taking the time to leave your comment - glad that you appreciate the quality of the apron which is made here in Australia. You're absolutely correct, this is lightweight denim as we mention on the website. Although it feels lightweight, these aprons last for many years and are absolutely loved by our chefs and I hope that they'll become a firm favourite of yours too. I'm here to assist with any questions you may have.
Store owner replied:
That's great to know that the aprons are comfortable to wear, thanks Nika, your comment is very much appreciated.
I was excited to order and received my 100% organic cotton chef Jackets and Aprons but was disappointed to find that there is a 2% spandex (Lycra) which takes away from the organic that you promote so strongly. Is there a reason for this and why isn’t it on your website under fabric content.
As far as I know the addition of spandex to your products takes it away from the circular economy as it is a synthetic material and makes the whole garment no recyclable.
I have been a chef for over 30 years and don’t think I have ever come across a chefs Jacket with spandex in it (polyester yes) A good fit should make putting a stretch material unnecessary.
Store owner replied:
Hi Sion, Thank you for your review. You are 100% correct, and I personally take full responsibility for this. We have added the fabric content this morning on all products. I can assure you we don't intend to mislead anyone - it was an oversight when changing the product descriptions recently. The 98% cotton is certified organic cotton. The 2% addition of spandex is woven in as when we worked with chefs to develop the collection, they wanted an element of stretch in the garments to allow the garments to be more tailored but move with the wearer to make them super comfortable. I will also email you directly to assist further.
Love it so light weight and breezy good for working in a fast paced kitchen wile still looking sharp cheer
Store owner replied:
Yay! That's great to hear that you're loving the softness of the fabric. Thanks for letting us know and may you enjoy wearing them for many shifts. xxx
This is probably theee best fitting and comfy jacket I’ve ever owned! I’m going to order a few more in the new year!
Thanks again guys for being so easy about the return due to them not fitting properly!
Thanks
Store owner replied:
You chose well Amanda! So glad he loves the fit and comfort of it. Thanks for letting us know.
Very flattering shirt. My only comment would be that the small is quite small. I’m a straight size 8 and I feel this is more like a size 6.5-7. But I’m still very happy with it.
Store owner replied:
Glad you like the flattering fit of this chef shirt Kaye. Thanks for letting us know about the sizing, we will consider this if we repeat this style in the future.
I have been a professionally trained cook for the past 40 years, so I have come through the traditional whites in a brigade system.
So far one of the best aprons / gear you can see some thought has been put into the design
Very nice
Les
Store owner replied:
Thank YOU Mr Leslie. Sorry you had to wait 40 years to wear "one of the best" but glad you found Cream Collection eventually. Enjoy every moment wearing the gear.
Was a present for my son. He is very happy with it.
Store owner replied:
Thanks Bea for your 5 star review, glad you love the comfort of the chef shirt. Enjoy!
I purchased the white Jo apron. Great quality apron, however the design was slightly different from the other photos of the same apron in different colours. I would prefer the pen pocket to be straight at the top (rather than slanted) and from an aesthetic standpoint I wasn’t fan of the round ring on the neck strap (but that’s probably me being picky)
Store owner replied:
Hi Andrew, Thanks for your 4 star review. I'll contact you about the images as the image of the white apron is as per the image on our website. The reason the pocket opening is slanted is that it is designed for ergonomic reasons, but we understand that every wearer has their personal preferences. Hope you are enjoying the comfort and fit of the apron. Thanks again.
Store owner replied:
Thank you Philipp! What a lovely review you have given, we appreciate it and glad that you are happy with the "insane quality" Thank you again.
Store owner replied:
Thank you Peter, so good to know your chef apparel ticks all the boxes. Thank you!!!! and enjoy.
Very happy with my apron love the fabric & tanks for the great customer service when I had to exchange as I mistakenly ordered the wrong size
Thanks Janet
