For Jay Walton, combining his career-long passion for the clothing industry with a commitment to sustainable practices was the driving force behind the foundation of Re-loved Apparel.
“On average, it takes 2,700 litres of water to manufacture a single cotton t-shirt. And while polyester clothing has a lower environmental impact than cotton, the energy required for its production is significantly higher,” says Walton.
It was these concerns, and other learnings from his experience working in the industry, that led Jay – a proud Indigenous man with close connections to country – to establish Re-loved Apparel on Queensland’s beautiful Gold Coast. A Supply Nation Certified business, Re-loved positions itself as Australia’s only 100% sustainable wholesale apparel supplier, offering affordable, sustainable garments constructed from a considered blend of 65% GTRS Certified recycled polyester (RPET) and 35% GOTS Certified organic cotton, along with a catalogue of accessories and promotional products, all made from sustainable materials. All items are ethically sourced via a BSCI-certified supply chain.
But the story doesn’t stop there, as Re-loved takes a holistic approach to its brand ethos.
“Our Gold Coast facility is fully powered by renewable energy, all our products are shipped in biodegradable packaging, and we use carbon-neutral delivery services. A selection of our most popular styles is aligned with the ‘One Tree Planted’ initiative, which works with local communities to plant native trees in areas impacted by bushfires, deforestation, and other environmental challenges. For each of those products sold, we plant a tree.”
Re-loved offers a wide and growing range of high quality, sustainable products including t-shirts, tank tops, polo shirts, bags, towels, swimwear and more. For more information on Re-loved, visit their website here.