Towards—Circularity
Towards—Circularity
A new life for our waste fabrics
This collection is made using 30% recycled cotton sourced from our off-cuts and faulty garments which are shredded, re-spun and blended with virgin cotton to give them a new life.
We're rethinking our approach to fabric waste to create beautiful new materials. It's part of our broader commitment towards building sustainability into our products at every stage of their lives: from design, where they start their journey, right through to the stage when they are ready for a new life.
A circular fashion system reduces demand for new resources by keeping existing materials in use for as long as possible, for example through reuse, repair and recycling. Circularity eliminates waste, reduces reliance on natural resources and drives innovation.
How it works
Throughout the garment production process, valuable fabric is lost due to cutting or when faults occur in the sewing. We've worked with our largest supplier, Kashion, to create a more circular process that transforms off-cuts and faulty garments, blending them with virgin cotton fibres to make something new.
Our Towards Circularity collection is made with 30% recycled cotton fibres sourced from our own production runs. Unlike regular recycled yarns, this innovative process means we are using leftover Country Road fabrics to create new Country Road garments.
We blend the recycled cotton with new cotton fibres to achieve the strength, durability and quality we are known for. We're excited to bring this range to you and tell the story behind its creation.
Over a year in the making
More than 12 months in the making, the recycled yarn project included various trials in spinning and knitting to guarantee fibre quality. This project alone has the potential to divert 100,000 kilograms of textile waste from landfill per year— almost the equivalent weight of a full Boeing 757. For this project, Kashion partnered with a mill that is pioneering recycled fibre yarns.
Logo Sweat
For the recycled cotton program, we have to sort off-cuts by colours and different fabric quality. Strict collecting requirements are necessary to ensure the final recycled yarn is good quality, otherwise it will not be up to the standard to knit into fabric. So the big change in the internal process is in how to sort offcuts properly and reuse them."—Lisa, Kashion Sales Manager
New process, new opportunities
The process of sorting the rescued fabric has created new jobs. In a world where human tasks are being taken over by machines, the circular approach is a potential source of reliable employment for less skilled workers, allowing them to take their first steps into the garment industry.
Once the spinner has blended the recycled and new fibres to create fabric, it is sent back to Kashion to create T-Shirts and sweats for our Woman, Man and Teen ranges. In future, we hope to develop more styles in this fabric, bringing a more circular approach to our most-loved garments.
Behind the design
Kashion has been a part of the Country Road family for over 10 years. With headquarters in the Chinese city of Ningbo, Kashion has grown to become our number one supplier.
Kashion has worked hard to reduce its environmental impact and show others within the industry that positive change is possible. It has achieved certifications such as STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, which guarantees that products are free of harmful substances, and is a Better Cotton member. Among other environmental initiatives, the company has installed solar panels on the roof, with around 25% of Kashion's energy needs met by the electricity that they generate. The company also invests heavily in research and innovation to improve various production processes.
The factory helps to create some of Country Road's most-loved styles, including our famous Verified Australian Cotton Heritage Sweat.
Working together to trace Australian Cotton
Kashion plays an integral role in our work with Oritain, who scientifically traces our Australian cotton back to the farms it was grown from. Throughout the production process, Kashion collects yarn, fabric, and garment samples from yarn spinners, fabric mills and their very own garment factory. These samples are sent to Oritain where they are tested to scientifically verify the claimed origin. Kashion also works with our other suppliers to train them in the processes required for Oritain testing.
We share our experiences on how to fully trace Australian cotton from yarn to garment, as well as sharing spinner information to other suppliers and letting them know what kind of extra processes should be applied. We were happy to have a chance to explore the Australian cotton program together with Country Road, and finally made it happen with everybody's efforts.—Lisa, Kashion Sales Manager
Amplifying workers' voices
Together with Kashion, we've introduced an app designed to amplify workers' voices and improve workplace engagement in our factories. The app allows employees to lodge workplace issues anonymously or using their name, with Kashion addressing and resolving issues raised in real time.
This app allows us to have another channel to connect closer with workers and hear their voices. We can post notices and share information about education and job skills. Workers can write any comments on the app and management can give quick feedback on it.Management can also quickly know what type of questions are concerning workers at the present stage and improve things in a short time. For example, one worker wanted to know about the cost for each step in the production process and our factory management was able to explain the price calculation to employees. The app creates increased transparency for employees.—Lisa, Kashion Sales Manager
To increase inclusivity and reach workers with low literacy levels we are currently exploring the potential for feedback to be entered verbally as well as by text. After the trial period, the app will be rolled out to other suppliers with the assistance of the team at Kashion.
Caring for our people and community
In addition to investing in research and technology, Kashion supports its own people and the wider community through employee benefits and charity initiatives.
We have supported a couple of schools for years by setting up an educational fund, building a schoolhouse, and providing books and clothes. We also set up a charity fund to subsidise students from low-income families. We have our own canteen and provide free lunch to everybody. We fund health insurance for all employees and every summer we open a childcare centre for employees' children with training and studying, so for workers living in Ningbo away from their hometowns, their children can come to stay with their parents during summer vacation. We are always looking for long-term relationships with clients, suppliers and our people.—Lisa, Kashion Sales Manager
In collaboration with Kashion, we hope to improve the lives of all people our brand touches, from yarn to finished garment.
Towards—Circularity
A new life for our waste fabrics
