Sustainability
Sustainable print and apparel procurement for enterprise programs
The certifications, materials, and reporting that hold up to real ESG scrutiny - and the greenwashing to avoid.
Enterprise procurement is being held to ESG scrutiny on print and apparel programs, and most vendors are not equipped to support it. Here's what real sustainable procurement looks like - and the greenwashing to avoid.
Certifications that matter
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for apparel. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for paper and signage substrates. Recycled-content claims should reference the SCS Recycled Content Standard. Water-based and discharge inks for screen printing. Any vendor making sustainability claims without these certifications is making a marketing claim, not a sourcing claim.
Material specs over vague claims
'Eco-friendly tote' means nothing. 'Recycled-content RPET tote with 80% post-consumer recycled material, OEKO-TEX certified' means something. Spec sheets per SKU with documented material origin are the standard.
End-of-life and circularity
What happens to the merch when the program ends? Take-back programs for unused inventory, recycling partners for branded apparel, biodegradable substrate options for short-life signage. This is the question your ESG team is being asked.
Scope 3 reporting and documentation
Your production partner should provide annual program reporting on material origin, transportation footprint, and recycled-content totals. This data feeds your Scope 3 emissions reporting and ESG narrative.
Sustainable print and apparel procurement FAQ
Is sustainable apparel meaningfully more expensive?+
How do we avoid greenwashing in our merch program?+
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