ImagesMagUK_May_2021

www.images-magazine.com 04 images MAY 2021 Published by: 360 Communications Ltd images magazine, 360 Communications Ltd, 58a Livingstone Road, Hove, BN3 3WL, UK 01273 748482 | www.images-magazine.com Advertising: advertising@images-magazine.com Editorial: editorial@images-magazine.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@images-magazine.com | Images is available free of charge to UK subscribers Subscribe online: imagesmag.uk/register | Update your subscription/contact details online: imagesmag.uk/subs-update Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com Features writer: Mark Ludmon | mark@images-magazine.com Publishing assistant: Gaby Bowring | gaby@images-magazine.com Design/Production: ATG Media | production@atgraphicsuk.com Printing: Stephens & George Ltd | Goat Mill Road,Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD ( issn 0966 7512) Opinions expressed by contributors in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the Publisher. Editorial contributions are invited, on the understanding that the Publisher has the right to alter or abridge all such material as he sees fit. While the greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the Publisher accepts no liability for either errors or omissions. MAY 2021 | VOL.30 NO.5 EDITORIAL T he facts and figures make for sobering reading. One recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60 watt light bulb for three hours... 275,000 tonnes of plastic are used each year in the UK (equivalent to about 15 million bottles per day)... Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as it takes to burn it... Landfills are among the biggest contributors to soil pollution... 350,000 tonnes (approximately £140 million worth) of used but still wearable clothing goes to UK landfill every year... In this issue we take a look at how Images readers can support recycling as part of a move towards more sustainable ways of working. For starters, there is the option to encourage the greater use of recycled materials by purchasing garments and accessories made from recycled fabrics. Our Recycled Fabric Apparel showcase (page 50) brings together the latest brandable recycled fabric apparel styles, demonstrating the wide range of options that are now available within the industry. On page 42, we catch up with the team at Promoting recycling Beechfield Brands to find out about the ongoing development of its sustainable product lines, including new recycled styles from Beechfield and BagBase; and on page 46, Écologie guides you through the current sustainable brandable fabric options, from recycled cotton to viscose. Another way to support the growth of recycling is by introducing a take-back scheme. Wrap, the not- for-profit sustainability charity, believes that these schemes, whereby unwanted clothes are returned to retailers or suppliers, are key to making the shift to circularity in textiles and encouraging people to act in a more environmentally friendly way (nine out of 10 people say they would recycle if it were “easier”). An early adopter is Banana Moon Clothing and its Spring Greens scheme, with its clever harnessing of social media to persuade customers to recycle their no longer wanted garments (see pages 44 and 45). No business is going to solve the environmental issues facing the planet by itself, but even small acts can make a huge difference when adopted by enough people. We’re big fans of Inferno Screen Printing’s approach to reusing the cardboard cartons in which its garments are delivered (page 47). This not only extends the cartons’ life but also results in pieces of art that the company’s customers are delighted to receive. If you decide to give it a whirl, send us a snap of your overprinted boxes as we’d love to feature them in Images to further promote this fun and worthwhile initiative. With plastic waste becoming ever more of an environmental issue, perhaps now is also the time to reassess your business’s use of single-use plastic packaging? Alternatives are out there – your printed copy of Images will have arrived in a fully and easily recyclable paper or compostable starch wrapper, and Dunstable-based decorators Essential introduced 100% recyclable sugarcane carbon-neutral poly bags over a year ago (imagesmag.uk/Essential-packaging ). Where there’s a will, there’s always a way. Jonathan Vince Read all about textile take-back schemes and how Banana Moon Clothing is encouraging its customers to recycle no longer wanted garments on pages 44 and 45 REGISTER now to receive your free monthly copy of Images: imagesmag.uk/subscribe Working from home? Moved to new premises? Update your details online: imagesmag.uk/subs-update