Sustainability has become a key concern for businesses worldwide, and the workwear industry is no exception. With textiles making up the largest portion of worldwide waste, responsible companies are making efforts to reduce their impact. From lessening waste to sourcing eco-friendly materials, more and more companies are looking at their processes and finding ways to minimise their environmental impact. But with such a high replacement rate, can workwear ever truly be sustainable? At Westpeak Workwear, we believe it can be. 

We’re committed to creating high-quality, durable uniforms that serve their purpose well, while also playing a part in positively contributing to the environment. Today, we’re sharing how choosing Westpeak as your uniform supplier is a step toward sustainable workwear in New Zealand.

The growing demand for sustainable workwear 

Traditional workwear production can be incredibly harmful to the environment. From the huge quantities of water needed to create and dye fabric to the waste created by discarded uniforms sent to landfills, the impact is impossible to ignore. Materials like cotton are the kindest to skin, but they often require intensive farming and chemical processes, which strain our planet’s resources. While we’ll always need clothing, there are other steps we can take to reduce the industry's effect on the environment. 

Many businesses, like Westpeak Workwear, are investing in initiatives to offset unavoidable aspects of production. This is in large part thanks to the demand of customers. With almost nine in ten people feeling the effects of climate change, eco-friendly products are becoming a priority. In fact, 46% of consumers are buying more sustainable products to reduce their environmental impact, and 50% rank sustainability as a top value driver. This shift reflects a broader movement toward responsible consumption, where the environmental impact of products matters just as much as their functionality. 

And it’s not just individuals, businesses are catching on too. Reports show that 73% of B2B buyers are willing to pay more for products if the company they’re buying from has a strong sense of purpose. These statistics show us that sustainability isn’t just a passing trend. If anything, it’s becoming essential for businesses that want to meet customer expectations and build a responsible brand.

The benefits for your business

Choosing Westpeak Workwear means investing in high-quality uniforms that are built to last. Every Westpeak-branded product comes with a 1 Year Guarantee, so you can be confident that they’re up to the demands of daily wear. By committing to durability, you can expect your uniforms to last longer and require replacing less frequently.  By investing in quality, you’ll reduce costs over time, making sustainability not just an ethical choice but a financially savvy one too.

Westpeak’s commitment to sustainability

At Westpeak, sustainability isn’t just a long-term goal - it’s an ongoing journey. We’re constantly working to reduce our carbon footprint by sourcing materials ethically and focusing on long-lasting quality to minimise waste. From the fabrics we choose to the processes we use, every step is designed to lessen our environmental impact. 

We're currently evaluating our entire product range, including our Westpeak™ brand, aligning our products with our corporate social responsibility practices. Our long-term aim is to offer a great range of sustainable workwear made from recycled and eco-friendly materials, but in the short term, we're focusing on four key areas of impact. 

• Uniform & PPE Recycling Program

Westpeak promotes the recycling and reuse of old uniforms to minimise waste. Through our uniform recycling program, we repurpose old workwear to create dog beds which are provided to local animal charities around New Zealand. This end-of-life recycling program for our customers' old uniforms reduces landfill waste and supports a circular economy. 

• Sustainable Packaging

Our new packaging box supplier is one of New Zealand's leading companies in sustainable fibre packaging. All our packaging boxes are made from a circular economy approach from recycled boxes. We are also in the process of changing our Westpeak-branded product packaging away from plastic in favour of sustainable alternatives. 

• Planting Native Trees

A key part of our sustainability efforts is our partnership with Trees That Count, where we contribute to reforestation projects across New Zealand. Our “committed to climate” goal is to plant a minimum of 500 trees per year to mitigate our carbon footprint, which we’ve achieved the last four years running. Our larger clients can select where there trees get planted, sharing the feel-good impact of working together toward sustainability. 

• Environmental Fund

As discussed, every purchase from Westpeak™ helps to plant native trees across New Zealand. These trees not only help offset carbon emissions but also help protect native wildlife. The planting we support at Atarau Sanctuary directly benefits the endangered Great Spotted Kiwi. Kiwis helping kiwis - it doesn’t get much better than that. 

Through these initiatives, Westpeak is continuing to demonstrate that sustainable workwear is an accessible choice. We’re proud to offer our customers products that don’t sacrifice performance, but instead combine durability and wearability with manufacturing and processes that are kind to the planet. 

Plant a tree with your purchase 

Of our sustainability efforts, Trees That Count is undoubtedly one of our most impactful. When you buy your workwear with Westpeak, you’re contributing to a movement committed to making a positive environmental impact in a way that can be maintained long-term.

Every Westpeak product purchased helps fund native trees to be planted across New Zealand. To date, our customers have helped fund 2,682 trees, supporting four different planting projects.  and have helped fund four different projects. 

The beneficiaries of the trees are Atarau Sanctuary (939 trees), Clean Streams Karamea (316 trees), Moutere & Motueka Rivers Catchment Restoration (507 trees), and Canoe Creek Conservation Project (420 trees).

The native trees planted (predominantly pohutukawa), help offset carbon emissions and improve the biodiversity of both land and water. In fact, the trees have the potential to sequester 950 tonnes of CO2 over the next 50 years! 

By focusing on sustainability, we help preserve New Zealand’s natural resources and support the well-being of our communities. From reducing carbon emissions to promoting eco-friendly practices, Westpeak’s approach to workwear is making a positive difference where it matters most - right here at home.

Prioritise sustainable workwear with Westpeak

Sustainability and workwear don’t have to be at odds. Westpeak is leading the way in creating high-quality, eco-friendly uniforms that help businesses reduce their environmental impact while maintaining professionalism and durability. 

By choosing Westpeak, you’re making a commitment to the planet and your business’s future. Read more on our sustainability page or get started today.