Life Cycle Assessment: insight into the impact of sustainable work clothing
At Tricorp we believe that sustainable work clothing starts with transparency. That is why we provide every product with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). With this impact sheet we fully map the environmental impact of work clothing, from raw materials and production to transport, use and waste processing.
An LCA shows where in the life cycle of a product the most impact is made. By making this information available per product, we help companies better understand their environmental footprint and make targeted, more sustainable choices.
For you as a professional, this means that you don't have to gamble. You choose work clothing based on facts and insight. This way you combine quality, functionality and comfort with a conscious choice sustainable work clothing.
We make Life Cycle Assessments sustainability measurable and concrete. No promises, but substantiated insights, so that you can contribute to a more sustainable future today.
What do you find in the LCA?
Our LCAs are made up of three components: water, CO2 and energy consumption.
Water consumption
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) shows how much water is needed to make a product until it reaches your hands. This water consumption is shown in litres, making the environmental impact of work clothing concrete and easily comparable. A sustainably produced T-shirt can use up to 50% less water than a regular T-shirt.
To better understand this water consumption: in the Netherlands a person uses an average of 120 to 130 liters of water per day. The water required for one regular piece of clothing quickly equals the daily consumption per person.
CO₂ emissions
The LCA also shows how much CO₂ emissions are released during the entire life cycle of a product. These emissions are expressed in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent, so that products can be easily compared.
The amount of CO₂ released during the production of work clothing is comparable to known sources, such as transport. An average petrol or diesel car emits 0.12 to 0.205 kilograms of CO₂ per kilometer. This makes it visible what influence material choices and production processes have on the climate.
Energy consumption
In addition to water and CO₂, the LCA provides insight into the total energy consumption of a product. This is expressed in megajoules (MJ) and includes all the energy required to produce a product.
An average household uses approximately 3,500 MJ of energy per year. By comparing energy consumption of work clothing with these types of well-known figures, it becomes clear how efficiently a product has been produced within the chain.
Sustainable work clothing
By choosing sustainable work clothing made from sustainable materials, such as recycled polyester or organic cotton, you reduce your impact on the environment. Take a quick look at our REDEFINED or RE2050 collection.