The world is changing, and we are listening. At Underworks, we consider it our responsibility to reduce our impact on the planet and provide our customers with more earth-conscious products. Being more thoughtful with our material sourcing is just the start and we’re committed to evolving sustainable practises in everything we do. We’re not entirely there yet but we’re well on our way!
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Our promise is to make high quality apparel at an everyday value price. All of our products are created thoughtfully and with respect for the people who make them. That hasn’t changed since we opened our doors in 1999 and it never will.
The shift to more sustainably sourced products is a journey for us and we are rolling out new practices in more and more products every day. While most of our products are already created with thoughtful materials and packaging, some are sourced more sustainably than others. These can be easily identified by the addition of a green Sustainable and Ethical stamp.
At Underworks, we are committed to defending our planet and protecting the people who live here. Our products are manufactured under ethical working conditions and our mission is to use sustainably sourced materials in all of our products and packaging by 2022.
We believe fiercely that all people deserve to be respected at work, paid appropriately and treated humanely... and we always have.
We value and respect humanity. Our workplaces in Australia and China are audited for ethical and safe work practices and they have been for 20 years. We have a zero-tolerance policy for child labour and hold our manufacturers to very strict standards regarding award wages, overtime payments and providing a safe and humane place to work.
‘As a business and a brand we are deeply committed to evolving our practices to become the sustainable choice for all Australians.’
Founder and CEO – Sam Todaro
As part of our commitment to reducing landfill and supporting our community, Underworks donates unused products to a variety of charity partners who distribute to people experiencing financial difficulty, homelessness or displacement.
Socks and undergarments are among the least donated, but highest demand items for people experiencing homelessness, displacement or financial hardship in Australia. It makes sense when you think about it - who would want to donate their old socks? At Underworks, we intend to change that, fast. We have developed a program to provide a steady supply of brand new socks to those who need them most.
The Underworks #igiveasock program creates custom-made socks that go directly to those living rough in the wintertime, free of charge and we’re very proud to be extending this program in 2020 and beyond. We proudly support community and charitable organisations through product donations, financial contributions, research partnerships and raising awareness.
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In our experience of working on the streets of our City, we have seen an increasing number of people with serious foot diseases, and worse, we have seen people lose their feet, and in some cases lose their lives, all because people cannot access clean socks.
Major Brendan Nottle, The Salvation Army
Look for the icon on selected Underworks products and make a more sustainable choice.
When shopping for consumable items, consider purchasing from brands that are working towards a more sustainable future - there’s heaps!
Recycle packaging responsibly by following the guides on the label.
Donate items in good condition to charity, pass on to a friend or consider clever ways to upcycle the items you don’t need anymore (Read More).
Dispose thoughtfully, where possible utilise textile recycling programs (Read More).
Buy longer wearing products (just like ours), keep them longer and avoid replacing things you don’t need to.
We’re nowhere near finished on our journey and we understand that many of our classmates have great procedures and partnerships in place already. If you or someone you know has a recommendation that will help us do better for people and planet, we welcome your feedback below.
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Canopy is a non-for-profit multi-stakeholder initiative on a mission to eliminate sourcing from ancient and endangered forest and to protect the environment, climate, specious and indigenous communities. We partner with Canopy to support approaches and systems to build a future that does not use Ancient and Endangered Forests in the packaging, paper or in man-made cellulosic fabrics, including rayon, viscose, lyocell, modal and other trademarked brands. We will influence these supply chains in order to protect the world’s remaining Ancient and Endangered Forests and endangered species habitat.
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