At Spandex UK, sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it’s a core value and a vital part of our commitment to responsible business. We’re excited to announce that Spandex UK has reached an important milestone in our sustainability journey by attaining the Ecovadis Bronze Standard. This recognition places us among the top 35% of companies in our sector, underlining our dedication to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical business practices.

Helen Dalton, Director of Sustainability at Spandex UK, says:

“Achieving Ecovadis Bronze Standard is a fantastic endorsement of the work carried out by the Spandex UK team over recent years to improve their sustainability credentials.”

Laura Blackmore, UK Finance & Operations Director, adds:

“We are thrilled to have achieved a Bronze Ecovadis Award. This award supports and illustrates to our customers, employees, and trading partners our commitment to being a sustainability-conscious company, along with providing a safe and ethical workplace. The process of completing the Ecovadis assessment questionnaire highlighted areas where we are strong and areas where improvements can be achieved. We will use the assessment feedback to improve and build our future sustainability strategy.”

What is Ecovadis, and Why is it Important?

Ecovadis is a trusted provider of sustainability ratings, assessing companies worldwide on their corporate sustainability performance. The evaluation spans critical areas, including environmental impact, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement practices. For our customers, this rating offers assurance that they are partnering with a company that prioritizes sustainability – providing credibility that can open doors to larger contracts and business opportunities.

Our Sustainability Journey: Progress and Purpose

Securing the Ecovadis Bronze Medal is not just about recognition; it’s a testament to our consistent efforts to embed sustainability across all operations. Here are some of the steps we’ve taken:

• Implementing Sustainable Practices: We’ve integrated sustainability into our operations, reducing our environmental footprint, cutting waste, and conserving resources. One example includes reusing our packaging through our end bung collection and reuse programme.
• Strengthening Corporate Governance: We’ve enhanced our internal policies and Code of Conduct, focusing on transparency, risk mitigation, and accountability to benefit our stakeholders – shareholders, employees, customers, and communities alike.
• Empowering Our Team: Sustainability is deeply rooted in our culture. We’ve invested in employee training and development programs and continue to uphold high standards in Health & Safety.

Beyond Recognition: A Shared Goal

While the Ecovadis Bronze Standard is a proud achievement for Spandex UK, it’s just a step towards a bigger vision – a more sustainable future for our industry. Small changes, like innovations that reduce a product’s carbon footprint, make a significant impact when scaled.

We’re not alone in this journey; our colleagues at Spandex Germany recently achieved the same Bronze recognition, and together, we are striving for the same goal. Our combined efforts across the Spandex Group are focused on continuous improvement, sharing best practices, and creating a positive impact that extends beyond our organisation.

Darren Penny, UK Go To Market Director says:

“Achieving the Ecovadis Bronze Standard reflects the growing importance of sustainability to Spandex, our customers and the industry as a whole. It’s a fantastic milestone that not only demonstrates our progress but also reinforces our commitment to providing sustainable solutions that help our customers achieve their goals.”

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning. We remain dedicated to our sustainability mission, using the insights from the Ecovadis assessment to drive future initiatives and make even greater strides in our sustainability journey. As a collective, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and lead by example – showing that sustainability is an ongoing journey that requires commitment, collaboration, and action.