Underworks

Foundation Member | Tracking Since February 2023

Underworks Sustainability Actions

Our Roadmap to 2030

Rather than telling a customer that a product is more sustainable, we would like to increase awareness amongst consumers on why they are choosing a particular product, based upon actively assessing the product’s fibre composition, the labour conditions, and its environmental impact. The customer is making a choice purchase a product that has been made using preferred fibres, better packaging, has high environmental standards and like all of our products is ethically manufactured.

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Preferred Materials

We can proudly report that all of our Cotton comes from either, Better Cotton, or Certified Organic Cotton. Underworks also has a Bamboo range of socks, did you know Bamboo crops are the fastest growing plant and that Bamboo will constantly reproduce itself after harvesting. Pesticides are not required to grow this plant, and little water is needed to grow this crop making it a preferred fibre due to these characteristics. This range has also been certified by Oeko-tex to ensure there are no harmful substances left in the fabric. But it does not stop there, we are continuously innovating using new materials.

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Evidence

We're ditching single-use plastic, films and coatings from our packaging

We have pledged to transition away from single use plastics in our packaging and can confirm we have now transitioned away from plastic hangers and unnecessary films and coatings on our cardboard packaging. Our cardboard packaging can be recycled at , in your home recycle bins, at kerbside. We use soy ink, a petroleum free, toxic free ink from the by-product of soybeans on all of our packaging.

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Ethical Production and Environmental standards

Our workplaces in Australia and China are regularly audited for ethical production such as, no child labour, reducing inequality, and safe work practices to mention a few and they have been for 25 years. We have a zero-tolerance policy for child and forced labour and hold our manufacturers to very strict standards regarding award wages, overtime payments and providing a safe and humane place to work. As part of our ethical sourcing program all the factories we work with are regularly audited. This assures that our factories can be held accountable for worker wellbeing. In addition to, having to meet the standards set by our customers who sell our products, they must also pass audits of the recommended well-established global social compliance programs and be compliant with local law, whichever are stricter. These social responsibility frameworks include SEDEX, WRAP and Amfori BSCI. To pass these audits, factories must comply with various stringent standards in the areas of labour rights and working conditions and health and safety and incorporate Conventions from the International Labour Organization. We only work with factories that respect their employees, pay living wages and provide a safe and fair place to work. All our factories must sign our environmental and zero tolerance of hazardous chemicals policies.

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Evidence

Supporting a circular economy

We've partnered with Upparel to support a circular economy, advocate for garment and textile recylcling and help to educate our customers on the importance of mindful consumption and disposal. Recycle your old socks with Underworks and get 10% OFF your next order. Together with Upparel, we are closing the loop on textile waste and giving your old socks a new life. Only available in Australia. Before purchasing a compostable bag for the recycling of your old socks, please check drop-off locations near you.

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Evidence

Social Initiatives #igiveasock

We feel committed to contribute to the lives of the people we touch and the communities we do business in. At Underworks we believe it is our corporate responsibility to make sure that everyone has access to basic clothing items such as socks and underwear. Since 2019 we have run our IGiveASock program, and every year it only gets bigger. We have donated more than 100,000 essential clothing items to people experiencing disadvantage, including homelessness, poverty, and mental health issues. We have partnered with several community organisations such as Food Bank, The Salvation Army and Our Village (formerly St Kilda Mums) to name a few, to make sure these essentials get directed to people in need. Additionally, we actively donate our excess samples to people in need and recycle our damaged stock through external textile recycling partners to prevent waste from going to landfill which enables a circular economy.

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We develop and explore circularity in every area.

Unpaired and faulty socks are collected and sent to a third party textile recycler, where they are given a second life and consequently diverted from landfill. Cardboard cartons received in our warehouse are either re-used to re-pack products, or excess or damaged cartons are sent to for recycling. We have also reduced our plastic consumption by reducing the weight and size of our bags. Clear plastic palette wrap is collected and sent for recycling. We have replaced all our plastic hooks with cardboard hook and we are constantly looking for more ways to improve.

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What do our labels mean?

APCO Member Logo

APCO Member
BCI Member Logo

BCI Member
FSC Mix Certified Logo

FSC Mix Certified
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Logo

OEKO-TEX Standard 100
UPPAREL Member Logo

UPPAREL Member

About Underworks

  • Status
  • Employees
  • 25 - 100
  • Industry
  • Apparel & Fashion
  • Country
  • Australia
  • Founded
  • 1999