As the apparel industry grows and consumers are presented with an overwhelming array of choices, the demand for supply chain traceability has become increasingly important.
During the 1980s, complex global supply chains started to dominate the industry. Companies began opting for overseas manufacturing to lower production costs and offer consumers cheaper goods in an increasingly competitive marketplace. This offshoring of the industry often resulted in a lengthy chain of suppliers subcontracting aspects of the manufacturing process to other vendors–with little to no oversight or accountability.
While operations like this can lead to cheaper costs of goods, the lack of visibility as to who exactly is manufacturing the product can lead to sustainable production practices and worker’s rights assurances slipping through the cracks, causing long-term environmental devastation and worker exploitation.
In the wake of modern fast fashion, as demand for on-trend inexpensive products rises exponentially, supply chains have become even more outstretched and complex in an effort to keep up. To cut corners, these supply chains often involve lackluster (at best) labor and pollution regulation enforcement.
“...the fast fashion strategy raises numerous ethical concerns regarding the treatment of factory workers. These include excessively long shifts lasting between 12 and 24 hours, poverty wages, and hazardous working conditions.” -- Fast Fashion vs Slow Fashion (Recover Brands)
As these concerns have come to light, many consumers have been calling for increased transparency and traceability for their garments. Grounded in the consumer rights movement, more people want to know how and where their products are made, going beyond the “Made in” label.
Since Recover’s founding, not only has it been our goal to use truly sustainable materials, but to also ensure that we are manufacturing our products in the best way possible for people and the planet by utilizing our HyperLocal™ supply chain.
By manufacturing our Classic, Organic, and Sock product lines entirely in the U.S. Southeast, from raw materials to finished goods, we support the textile-rich heritage of our home region and the communities that are at its core. Through this, Recover has created a demand for textile jobs in small towns across the southeast and a demand for the production of recycled textile materials at home.
The other main portion of our HyperLocal™ supply chain is our state-of-the-art factory in El Salvador. It is a fully integrated vertical manufacturing facility where every step of the supply chain happens within a 10-mile radius. Our El Salvador facility also proudly utilizes renewable energy and water recycling infrastructure.
29% of the energy used is on-site generated solar power.
68% of the energy used comes from renewable sources.
Up to 60% of water used for production is recycled.
By manufacturing in the U.S. Southeast and Central America, our materials and products also travel shorter distances, which directly reduces our emissions associated with supply chain transportation.
The emissions associated with shipping all materials and products across our supply chain from mile zero to our order fulfillment center are 93% less than the industry standard. (Data is from an average of 6 Recover core product LCAs verified by BCome compared to their industry standard equivalents)
To ensure that our HyperLocal™ supply chain and the products that are made within it are ethically produced, they have been certified through various programs. All suppliers and partners are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct, which establishes minimum requirements and expectations for improvement. Some of the standards, certifications, and assessments that are part of the compliance program include:
Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production
Higg Index: Facility Environmental Module
Higg Index: Facility Social & Labor Module
All of our recycled materials are certified by the Global Recycled Standard as well, which includes various strict social and environmental requirements.
We have also worked with BCome, our sustainability data management platform, to verify the traceability along our production system from all raw material extraction to the completion of finished goods. Based on our 6 core collections, we received a 96% supplier traceability rate.
While we are proud of our sustainable and ethical supply chain, responsible production is a team sport. At Recover, a company that has been prioritizing this since our founding, we are appreciative of the efforts that the greater apparel industry is beginning to make.
“[On localized manufacturing] That's really what we're trying to lead the charge in as much as anything. We don't want to be the only ones doing it. We want it to catch on for the masses because in order for it to really make a difference and for sustainability to catch on, it has to be available and accessible for other brands and in other networks.” – Bill Johnston, Founder/President of Recover Brands in Recover x Intradeco: Vertical Manufacturing in El Salvador
It continues to be our mission to Help Earth Recover by outfitting everyone with apparel and gear for the biggest positive impact possible. Through this, we hope to inspire consumer empowerment, corporate social and environmental responsibility, and to be a positive and innovative influence on the apparel industry.
