​The Face of Australian Work Wear is Changing; Introducing Envirovis

Posted by Bamboo Village on 18th Feb 2015

Over the past few years, cheap synthetic fabrics have been used for work wear in Australia and globally. Very little manufacturing is now done in this country, and oppressive production has become commonplace. Alongside this cheap and mass produced goods have arisen other issues - allergies, toxic dyes and chemicals from the clothing which are terrible for the environment, and are not at all comfortable to work in, as well as the health problems that can occur too.

When you work in tough working conditions and need to keep moving whatever the weather may be, you really need to be dressed in something extraordinary. Picture what you wear now – does it keep you dry every day? Does it keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter? Much of the ‘regular’ work gear on the market really isn't up to the challenge; you need clothing that is not only comfortable, but incredibly practical for being on the job at hand!

Introducing Envirovis by SLR Ecodesigns. They are aware of the ethical and environmental aware consumer, and are shifting to a new way of making work wear with Bamboo. They rightly believe that sustainability - both ethically and environmentally - is the future. Their shirts have been designed with hard working men in mind, combining an eco-friendly produced garment with a comfy working shirt that just does the job, full stop!

Providing all of the benefits that bamboo clothing delivers including being hypoallergenic and UV protective, their shirts are the perfect garment for working on the job. With long sleeves, a collar and four buttons down the front, you will stay comfortable no matter what the weather and enjoy the comfortable assets that this top offers all day long. Several of the shirts come with the addition of reflective tape to keep you safe while working.

Is their Bamboo Work for you? It is if you…

  • Work in harsh environments
  • Suffer from sweating
  • Are eco-conscious and like clothing sustainably manufactured
  • Like to keep warm in winter & cool in summer
  • Suffer from skin sensitives and/or allergies

Who are SLR EcoDesigns? Why should I buy their products?

Australia Made. They are an Australian company, and use the brand name 'Envirovis'.

Certified. They are Australian standard certified and quality tested by CSIRO.

GECA Accredited.They are GECA Accredited (Good Environmental Choices Australia) and their fabrics carry organic certification.

Naturally Safe. All garments are naturally safe and do not contain any added chemicals.

Eco Friendly. They make eco-friendly garments using bamboo. These fabrics don't require pesticides or chemicals. They use less water and energy and create less waste.

Low Carbon Footprint. Other fabrics and clothing manufacturers have a large carbon footprint due to chemicals, pesticides and the way their clothes are made. The carbon footprint of SLR Ecodesigns is minimal. By choosing to buy their products, you're contributing towards this minimal carbon footprint.

OEKO-TEX® 100.They are OEKO-TEX® 100 standard accredited suppliers.

Tell me more about how the garments are made?

SLR Ecodesigns ensure all of their production processes are as clean and ethic as possible. They do this through their choice of suppliers (such as Bamboo Village), their resources and factories where the clothes are assembled. This means if you wear their clothing, your conscience can be clear. No child labour or unsuitable working conditions are involved, and the clothes are still competitively priced. They ensure all of their standards are met through quality control teams who visit their factories. Their clothing is made from Bamboo. Read more on the advantages of Bamboo here and here.

What is OEKO-TEX® testing?

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is a global uniform testing and certification system for textile raw materials at all production stages. It aims to ensure products are free of anything harmful. These tests include harmful chemicals, substances banned by law and any that would be dangerous to health. All tests are carried out by authorised testing institutes. All clothing is labelled with the OEKO-TEX® label.

What's 3M Australia Supply?

All work wear with reflective material comes with a 3M Australia Supply Guarantee label. This authenticates the reflective material on your clothing. It also offers a full garment replacement warranty if the material fails.

What about all of the numbers; what do they all mean?

CLASS D: DAY SAFETY AS/NZS 1906.4:2010

To meet these standards, the fabrics must meet tests for colourfastness and durability. Many ordinary shirts can fade through day to day wear and weather exposure, but this test ensures their longevity.

ISO 15025:2000 – Fire Resistance

This tests a piece of clothing and how they react when near or in fire. A garment passes this test when it is demonstrated to protect you against heat and flame.

EN 1149:1-96 – Electrostatic Protection

This tests for electrostatic properties of protective clothing. The human body can act as a conductor of electricity under certain conditions, for example by touching charged equipment. This can be dangerous and can cause sparks and fire. This test therefore ensures that the wearer is protected against these conditions via the electrostatic properties of the garment.

UPF Rating 50+ (AS/NZS 4399:1996) – Protection from the sun

If you work in direct sunlight, you need to ensure you're protected from the sun’s rays and this test has proven that this garment will protect you from solar ultraviolet radiation.

Heavy duty 310gsm, 100% bamboo fabric (heavyweight, standard) (AS2001.2.13-87)

This is the weight of fabric per square metre, and confirms that the shirts are Heavyweight (Standard) 10 g/m2. Heavyweight effortlessly resists major strains due to harsh and physical work, and the material is incredibly durable.

Colourfast after UV exposure, washing and perspiration (AS2001.4 B02 Method 5, AS2001.4.15-2006 & AS2001.4.E04-2005

This test ensures that the fabric is resistant to perspiration on the body, UV exposure and washing. It ensures that your garment will keep its shape and protective properties, and keep you dry at work.

View the entire Envirovis Collection here.