An uncomfortable hiking incident was the inspiration behind an Aussie-first FSC-certified underwear brand that claims it now sells a pair of men’s bamboo undies every eight seconds in Australia, the UK, and the US.
Those looking to make a difference with their knickers need to look no further as bamboo clothing and garment company Step One has become the first clothing brand to achieve end-to-end Forest Stewardship Council certification in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification means the company certified has committed to zero deforestation, fair wage and work environments, plant and animal species protection and supporting local communities. In this case, the underwear company produces its garments from bamboo viscose, a naturally irrigated source that is antibacterial, antifungal, sweat-resistant and super soft.
The company is among the few stakeholders to launch on the ASX market without outside investment.
The company’s founder and chief executive Greg Taylor says he hopes the company will pave the way for sustainable business models in the fashion industry.
“The fashion industry is notoriously flippant when it comes to not using sustainable practices and using a lot of unnecessary packaging,” he says.
“Earlier this year, the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek gave the industry a one-year warning, stating that it needs to get on board with reusing and recycling, or she’s going to take over.
“I hope more brands would apply better practices because they care about the environment, but if not, hopefully her comments will help.”
Taylor became inspired to dip into the sustainable fashion market after an uncomfortable hiking incident four years ago.
“I was in New Zealand hiking with my wife, when partway through the hike, I started experiencing unbearable chafing. It was memorable because I still had hours left to walk that day and more hiking the next day,” Taylor says. “I started looking around for an underwear or activewear option for the next time I went on a hike but couldn’t find anything suitable, and that’s where the idea stemmed from.”
After testing different fabrics and concepts, Taylor developed ‘UltraGlyde panels’, which sit between the thighs to reduce friction.
“Some research shows that 22 per cent of men wear their underwear more than once before a wash , so I thought we’d better go bamboo.”
According to Taylor, the farming process of bamboo is more environmentally friendly than cotton, and as a grass, bamboo can be cut during harvest rather than ripped from the ground. The bamboo also uses significantly less water than cotton and does not contribute to natural habitat loss or destruction.
“In fact, the bamboo we use relies solely on rainwater,” Taylor says. “Being an environmentally friendly and sustainable company was essential for me from the start.”
On top of its product being made of sustainable materials, Step One is also a member of the Australasian Bioplastic Association, meaning all underwear packaging is certified compostable, toxin-free and made from corn starch.
The FSC certification, while a long and arduous task to apply for, was personally valuable to his brand, Taylor says.
“Our FSC took three years to get. It is a very long process that requires the stewardship council looking into every aspect of your business, but for me, it was well worth it, as it proves our commitment to the environment and builds trust.
“Our commitment to sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and this certification is a testament to our dedication to creating a better future for our planet.”
While Step One’s clothing is produced in China — one of the world’s biggest bamboo producers —and in ethically accredited factories, Step One employs 43 full-time staff in its Australian office, headquartered in Sydney.
The company claims to have sold more than 12 million pairs of underwear. It has since now expanded into women’s and children’s underwear, with a new seam-free range about to launch.
