At Trendsplant, sustainability is more than just a trend; it’s a philosophy that guides every aspect of our brand. One of the key pillars of our sustainability strategy is the use of recycled materials and responsible processes that respect both the environment and people. To ensure this vision, we have committed to meeting the highest sustainability standards, with the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification being one of the most important. In this article, we explain what GRS certification is, why it’s crucial in the fashion industry, and how Trendsplant works to meet its strict criteria.

What is GRS certification?

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international certification created by Textile Exchange, a global nonprofit organization that promotes responsible and sustainable resource use in textile production. GRS certification sets specific requirements to ensure that recycled materials are used in a product, while also imposing strict standards in areas such as environmental impact, social responsibility, and chemical use throughout the entire supply chain.

The GRS not only guarantees that a product is made with a certain percentage of recycled materials but also ensures that production processes are conducted ethically and sustainably. This includes key aspects such as safe and fair working conditions, the control of hazardous chemicals, and full traceability from raw material to final product.

Why is GRS certification important?

Fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world. With growing concern over the environmental impact of mass-produced clothing, the demand for sustainable products is increasing. GRS certification has become an essential quality mark for brands that want to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and human rights. Some of the key reasons why this certification is essential include:

• Full traceability: GRS ensures that recycled materials are traced from the source to the final product, guaranteeing that there is no "greenwashing" or false claims about the product's sustainability.
• Reduced environmental impact: The use of recycled materials helps reduce the need for virgin resources such as petroleum or water and decreases the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or the ocean.
• Fair working conditions: In addition to environmental aspects, GRS cares about the people involved in the production chain, ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, and labor rights.
• Control of hazardous chemicals: GRS certification imposes strict controls on the use of chemicals during the production process, ensuring that no toxic substances are used that could harm the environment or people’s health.

The benefits of GRS certification for consumers

Today’s consumers are increasingly conscious of the products they buy and their impact on the planet. GRS certification offers peace of mind, ensuring that they are purchasing a product that meets high standards of sustainability and ethics. The main benefits for consumers include:

• Sustainability guarantee: A GRS-certified product ensures that it is made from high-quality recycled materials, which helps reduce the use of virgin resources and environmental impact.
• Transparency and trust: The traceability provided by certification ensures that every step in the supply chain is verified, creating greater trust between consumers and brands.
• Commitment to the environment: By choosing GRS-certified products, consumers support a more responsible consumption model aimed at reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.

 

GRS certification at Trendsplant

At Trendsplant, we take our commitment to sustainability very seriously. We know that every garment we produce has an impact on the planet, and that’s why we constantly work to minimize this impact by using recycled materials and responsible processes. Our GRS certification allows us to guarantee that our garments are not only of high quality but also environmentally friendly and produced under ethical labor conditions.

Our GRS-certified materials include:

• Recycled polyester: We use recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles and other industrial waste, reducing the need for virgin, petroleum-derived materials. This material is used in garments such as sweatshirts and jackets, where durability and resilience are key.
• Recycled cotton: Recycled cotton comes from textile scraps that would otherwise be discarded. This process not only prevents waste from ending up in landfills but also significantly reduces water usage compared to conventional cotton farming.
• Recycled nylon: Sourced from recovered fishing nets and other industrial waste, recycled nylon is used to create technical garments, offering the same quality and durability as virgin nylon but with a much lower environmental impact.
  
  

Our production process

Each of our garments undergoes a rigorous process to ensure compliance with GRS standards. This includes:

• Material selection: We work closely with certified suppliers who meet GRS standards to ensure that the materials we use in our collections are 100% recycled and traceable.
• Chemical control: We ensure that during the dyeing, finishing, and treatment processes, no hazardous chemicals are used that could harm the environment or people.
• Ethical production: In addition to our efforts to minimize environmental impact, we ensure that the factories we collaborate with provide fair and safe working conditions. This includes living wages, reasonable working hours, and a healthy work environment.
• Audits and certification: To maintain our GRS certification, we undergo regular audits that verify our production processes comply with the environmental, social, and chemical standards required by the certification.
  
  

Challenges and our future commitment

Obtaining and maintaining GRS certification is not an easy process. It requires continuous investment in innovation, technology, and collaboration with our suppliers. However, at Trendsplant, we firmly believe that the benefits outweigh the challenges. As the fashion industry evolves, we remain committed to improving our practices, finding new ways to reduce our environmental impact, and offering our customers products that truly make a difference.

Among our future goals are:

• Increasing the use of recycled materials: We continue to explore new ways to incorporate recycled materials into more products in our collection, as well as into packaging and other elements of our supply chain.
• Improving energy efficiency: We are committed to reducing our energy consumption at every stage of production, from transportation to operations in our facilities.
• Promoting consumer education: We want our customers to understand the importance of choosing sustainable products and how their purchasing decisions can contribute to a greener future.