Staff Uniforms and ESG

Sustainable Staff Uniforms and ESG

Workplace uniforms are more than just clothing. They represent an organisation’s identity, fostering a sense of belonging among employees and projecting a professional image to clients. Today’s Gen Zers prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies and practices in their workplace and client premises. Therefore, organizations need to take a more holistic approach to cohesive programs.

Facility service providers have significant responsibilities, including establishing and enforcing a dress code and procuring and managing uniforms for a sizable workforce deployed at client sites across diverse locations. The primary objective of uniforms for service personnel is to promote professional attire and discipline while adhering to the organization’s branding and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. This analysis focuses on the usage, end-of-life, and disposal phases, which notably consume a significant share of energy and water in the carbon chain within the Uniform’s lifecycle. Industry-specific quality controls, including usage, washability, durability, recyclability, and reusability of uniforms in the Facility Management Service domain, are particularly interesting for Facility Managers.

Developing, implementing, and managing a successful uniform program across diverse teams, regions, and service types requires a strategic approach considering the “Triple P” – Purpose, Planet, and Profit. Here’s a breakdown of how Facility Managers can navigate this challenge:

Purpose:

• Safety: Uniforms should prioritise safety features like high-visibility reflective materials for staff working in low-light conditions, near traffic, or around hazardous materials. Flame retardant properties are essential for welding, soldering, or other high-heat personnel. Disposable or reusable Personal Protective Equipment apparel may include a full-body overall with head and foot covers. In Industrial, Airport, Storage facilities, high-rise buildings, and similar critical environment workplaces, the selection of protective clothing for firefighters and working personnel performing hazardous tasks must comply with minimal relevant requirements stipulated in applicable standards.

• Reference Standard	Scope	Application
  ASTM F2894	Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Materials, Protective Clothing, and Equipment for Heat Resistance	Industrial
  ISO 11611	Protective Clothing For Use In Welding And Allied Processes	Industrial, Buildings
  EN 61482 (Part 1 and 2), NFPA 70E	Live Working – Protective Clothing Against The Thermal Hazards Of An Electric Arc	Working on Electrical Systems
  ISO 20471, CSA Z96-2015	High Visibility Clothing – Test Methods And Requirements	Vehicle parking management, confined room work, and high-traffic movement places.
  ISO 11613	Protective clothing for firefighters who are engaged in support activities associated with structural firefighting — Laboratory test methods and performance	Firefighters
  ISO 17493	Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat  resistance using a hot air circulating oven	Industrial
  NFPA 1971	Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (2018)	Firefighters
  NFPA 1975	Standard on Emergency Services Work Apparel	Fire warden
  NFPA 2112	Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire	Industrial
  NFPA 1990	Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies	Industrial
  ISO 14644-5 (Annex B)	Guidelines for disposable or reusable staff uniforms to protect the indoor environment from dust and chemical contamination originating from working personnel.	Clean environment – Data Centre, Laboratories, Pharmaceuticals, Food IndustryFunctionality: The design and materials of uniforms should directly enhance job performance. Janitorial staff uniforms might benefit from features like reinforced knees for kneeling, multiple pockets for cleaning supplies, and moisture-wicking fabrics for comfort during exertion. Security personnel uniforms may require a more formal look to project authority while incorporating features like easy access to security tools and hidden compartments for identification badges. Functionality: The design and materials of uniforms should directly enhance job performance. Janitorial staff uniforms might benefit from features like reinforced knees for kneeling, multiple pockets for cleaning supplies, and moisture-wicking fabrics for comfort during exertion. Security personnel uniforms may require a more formal look to project authority while incorporating features like easy access to security tools and hidden compartments for identification badges.

Functionality: The design and materials of uniforms should directly enhance job performance. Janitorial staff uniforms might benefit from features like reinforced knees for kneeling, multiple pockets for cleaning supplies, and moisture-wicking fabrics for comfort during exertion. Security personnel uniforms may require a more formal look to project authority while incorporating features like easy access to security tools and hidden compartments for identification badges.

Minimum functional requirements of staff uniform.

• Job-fit workwear for every individual
• Clear identification of the Employer of the working personnel
• Employer’s logo on the Uniform
• Large-scale Uniform procurement would require careful selection of textile quality checks, sourcing, uniform design standardisation, and a storage facility near the work site.
• Some textile quality controls and uniform design requirements include reusability, durability, abrasion resistance, colour fastness, thermal resistance, and meet seasonal needs.
• Uniforms’ washability must be carefully considered based on fabric material and usage. The quality of uniform fabric and design must comply with ISO standards. Laundering and maintenance requirements require considering engaging a third-party professional laundry service.

Reference Standards for Textiles:

• Professionalism: A clean, consistent, professional Uniform appearance fosters trust and confidence with clients, building occupants, and staff. A well-designed uniform program can also contribute to a sense of team identity and pride among employees. When designing uniforms, it is essential to prioritize personnel comfort, consider socio-cultural context, address trade-specific needs, and align with the branding of the employer’s and customers’ work culture. Basic prerequisites for a professional workforce include personal hygiene, immaculate uniforms, and a trade-specific appearance.

• Governance: It is essential to distribute a comprehensive policy document outlining the dress code to all employees. The dress code should aim to foster a sense of belonging, discipline, and pride across all organizational levels and departments. Implementing well-designed and colour-coded uniforms can enhance mobility and cohesion across various ranks and departments. Additionally, embracing digital administration controls for procurement, storage, distribution, usage, maintenance, and disposal of uniforms must be encouraged.

 Planet:

Why are Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles relevant to Staff Uniforms?

• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are crucial for business sustainability. Today, Gen Zers are passionate about safeguarding the health, safety, the environment, and profit.
• Implementing policies and practices aligned with ESG principles for staff uniforms fosters professionalism, boosts employee motivation, and enhances market competitiveness.
• Reporting and verifying Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives elevates the organisation’s brand value and generates interest from investors and clients.
• Staff uniforms represent a significant portion of a facilities service provider’s annual operating budget. CSR reporting (GRI, SASB, Accountability’s AA1000, ISO 26000) includes uniform policy, sourcing, usage, and disposal practices for validation.
• Smart and sustainable management practice has the potential to save carbon footprint and costs and improve profitability.

A few of the Important facts about the textile industry.

Key areas to focus on for easy-to-implement roadmaps towards decarbonisation and sustainability.

• Digitalising processes like procurement and administration controls through the use stage, and traceability across all stages will improve controls and analytics-based actions.
• Reduce, Repair, Reuse, and Repurpose.

Though the share of carbon emissions at the end of use is the lowest in the lifecycle chain, reducing, repairing, closed-loop recycling, and repurposing will significantly reduce environmental impacts.

• Recycled fabric

Incorporating eco-friendly fabrics from recycled materials or organic cotton into the uniform program. This reduces the environmental impact of uniform production and disposal.

• Durability:

Durable, high-quality uniforms reduce waste by needing to be replaced less frequently. Look for uniforms with reinforced stitching, stain-resistant finishes, and fabrics that withstand multiple wash cycles.

• Energy-Efficient Care:

Opt for uniforms that are easy to clean and require less water or harsh chemicals during laundering. Explore laundry service providers who utilize energy-efficient cleaning methods.

• Circularity:

(Source: Quantis Study:2008)

• Textiles ECO-Conformance and Labels

• Energy and CO₂ emissions in the

In a study done by the Stockholm Environment Institute on behalf of the Bio-Regional Development Group, the energy used (and therefore the CO2 emitted) to create 1 ton of spun fibre is much higher for synthetics than for cotton:

The Embodied Energy used in the production of various fibres

Profit:

• Cost Control: Negotiate bulk discounts with uniform suppliers to reduce overall program costs. Consider offering a limited selection of core uniform options to streamline procurement and inventory management.
• Employee Retention: Attractive and functional uniforms can boost employee morale and satisfaction, reduce turnover, and improve recruitment efforts. When employees feel comfortable and well-represented in their uniforms, they are more likely to take pride in their work and provide exceptional service.
• Uniform Maintenance: Explore cost-effective laundry services or implement on-site washing solutions to streamline uniform care and reduce dependence on expensive dry cleaning services.
• Workwear Rental: Workwear rental service has gained traction across major consumer markets. Rental service brings value and efficiency to quality controls, flexible inventory management, repairs, laundering, repurposing and reuse on a large scale. Overall cost and quality efficiency at end-use and disposition of the uniforms can be largely realised through a professional rental service model. According to a market research report from Custom Market Insights, the global workwear rental market is estimated to be USD 1.9 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2033.

Challenges and Considerations:

• Diversity of Services: Facility Management encompasses a wide range of services, from janitorial work to security to technical maintenance. Each service may have specific uniform needs regarding functionality, safety, and durability.
• Multiple Clients and Locations: FM companies often serve clients across regions with varying weather conditions and cultural norms. Uniforms need to be adaptable and culturally appropriate.
• Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness: Uniform programs must scale efficiently across various team sizes while maintaining affordability.
• Inventory management: The high attrition rate, business operational needs, and transportation logistics are potential crisis points that require close attention and planning.
• Barriers to CSR in the Textile Industry
  • Lack of awareness among stakeholders and customers
  • Lack of knowledge and training on the importance of ESG
  • Lack of top management commitment to compliance with ESG principles.
  • Inadequate or absent regulations and standards
  • Resistance to change in Company Culture towards Carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability.

Balancing the Triple P:

Purpose:

Safety: Uniforms should prioritise safety features like reflective materials for high-visibility environments or flame retardancy for certain tasks.

Functionality: Design uniforms with features that enhance job performance, such as tool pockets or breathable fabrics for physical activity.

Professionalism: A professional appearance fosters trust and confidence with clients and building occupants.

Planet:

Sustainable Materials: Consider using eco-friendly fabrics from recycled materials or organic cotton.

Energy-Efficient Care: Opt for uniforms that are easy to clean and require less water or harsh chemicals.

Durability: Durable uniforms reduce waste by needing to be replaced less frequently.

 Profit:

Cost Control: Smart control measures should encompass sourcing, quality controls, transportation, digitized tracking, distribution monitoring, recollection, and uniform reuse/repurposing.

Employee Retention: Attractive and functional uniforms can boost employee morale and reduce turnover.

Uniform Maintenance: Explore cost-effective laundry services or on-site washing solutions.

Uniforms on Rent: Explore professional service partners to rent workwear on a large scale and across multiple operations regions.

Recycled fabric: Uniforms made from recycled fabric help the environment and save costs.

Good Practices:

• Uniform Policy: Outline clear guidelines regarding dress code expectations, acceptable attire, and uniform maintenance responsibilities. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide job-fit and body-comfortable uniforms for workplace personnel.
• Standardization and Customization: Standardize base uniform elements while allowing customization based on job needs, socio-cultural,  or regional climate.
• Invest in Quality: While affordability is important, prioritize durable and comfortable uniforms that require less frequent replacement.
• Partner with a Reputable Supplier: A uniform supplier who understands the FM industry and can offer various options to meet operational needs.
• Employee Input: Involve your team in the selection process to ensure the uniforms meet their comfort and functionality needs.

By adopting a strategic approach to staff uniforms, Facility Managers can create a program that promotes safety, professionalism, and environmental responsibility, all while considering cost-effectiveness and employee well-being. This will contribute to a smoother operation and enhance the overall image of your FM service.