Outland Denim’s 2021 Impact Report underscores how it has made transparency part of its brand DNA. Outland Denim expanded its rigid jeans options, collaborated with fellow Aussie brand Spell on a line of vintage-inspired denim staples, introduced ready-to-wear, and celebrated a milestone in its traceability journey, marking 100% traceability of its organic cotton denim.
Outland Denim is an Australian denim company that gained popularity after Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wore a pair on her royal tour in Australia in 2018, resulting in a significant increase in sales. The company started by James Bartle in 2011 was founded with the mission of helping survivors of human trafficking in Asia and now also provides living wages to its seamstresses in small villages in Cambodia. The brand started in 2011 with pop-up sales in Australia during music festivals. They launched in Canada in 2018 and are a Certified B Corporation international brand.
The highlights of the report include:
Traceability: 100% Traceability of denim
Tackling Textile Waste: 100% of excess textile waste from Outland Denim’s production facility was directed towards textile recycling research, not-for-profit social enterprises, and NGOs for training and awareness projects. Measuring Emissions: Calculating carbon footprint, including direct and indirect emissions, provided outland denim a better understanding of its impact as a brand and manufacturer. Thus, the emissions could be reduced further in the future. Less Water, Less Energy, Zero Harmful Chemicals: 97% of Outland Denim washes are categorized as ‘Low Impact,’ measured through third-party Environmental Impact Measurement criteria.
Holistic Education: 80% of surveyed employees reported that education and employment with Outland Denim had helped to improve their financial security
The five years future goals set by outland denim include:
• Become carbon +.
• Achieve Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030.
• Research new sustainable and safe chemical options to get all Outland Denim wash and finishing processes to measure in the ‘Low Impact’ category using third-party Environmental Impact Management scores.
• Find a solution to textile waste in landfills that Outland Denim and other brands can utilize.
• Create carbon offsets as a by-product of products sold.
• Create a waste management system that leaves the planet and people in a better position.
• Establish plastic-free facilities.
• Implement post-consumer recycling or second-hand program.
• Collaborate across the fashion industry to research black dye alternatives available and usable for other brands manufacturing denim.
• Remove the environmental impact of using stretch fabrics in the post-consumer phase
• And much more.
