Outland Denim has achieved 100% traceability within its organic cotton denim supply chain, after seven years of work, the brand has revealed in its second-annual Impact Report.
The Impact Report details the ways in which the brand is progressing on its journey and helps customers to further understand the impact they're having when they purchase an Outland Denim garment.
And despite the challenges of the pandemic, the sustainable, socially-conscious denim label was also able to increase its staff in Cambodia by 50%.
Outland Denim also welcomed new Australian team members to the fold, increasing its overall staff by 38% - with 20% of the new production staff being welcomed after losing their previous jobs due to COVID.
Outland Denim founding CEO James Bartle said the business was proud to grow its team despite the challenges.
"The reason Outland Denim exists is to provide employment opportunities and care to people in need; in particular the 40.3 million people who are trapped in modern slavery*, and those who are vulnerable to going down this path.
"So to be able to not only support our current team through COVID-19 but also welcome new staff is really the ultimate measure of success for me," he said.
Other highlights in the brand's Impact Report include conducting its first emissions audit to gain an understanding of the full carbon impact of the business, from the farm to factory, to its logistics and the homes of its customers.
When it comes to textile waste, Outland Denim has progressed beyond lab trials to the commercial pilot of its textile waste program.
Meanwhile, when it comes to worker empowerment, education and safety, Outland Denim also reported positive progress.
The business has provided accessible healthcare to its team through two onsite medical centres, with 97% of surveyed employees now having access to care, support and advice that they can trust.
Additionally, the brand's complementary education program is delivering strong results, with 80% of surveyed employees reporting that the education and employment with Outland Denim had helped to improve their financial security.
Further, 47% of surveyed employees have reported an improvement in their Khmer Literacy levels since working with Outland Denim.
Bartle added that the report shines a light on the impact customers are having when they purchase a garment from the brand.
"Of course there is a lot to celebrate in this year’s report.
"But we also hope that it goes one step further to also provide our customers some insight into where we are looking to improve, the challenges we face, the nuance of ‘sustainability’, and the goals that, despite best efforts, we didn’t quite make.
"An investment into an Outland garment is an investment into a lot more than a piece of clothing - our customers deserve to know the impact of their support," he said.
Outland Denim’s 2021 Impact Report is available to read on its website.