Winner: CLIMATE WEEK AWARDS 2011 - Category: Best Initiative by SME

Award for Continental Clothing Company’s eco-apparel
New Climate Week award scheme celebrates eco-achievements that galvanise public action

Continental Clothing Company’s EarthPositive Apparel was named Best Initiative by a Small or Medium-Sized Business at the Climate Week Awards on Monday 21st March. Honoured for their inspiring initiative, the CCC joined the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, other winners, finalists and eminent individuals at the launch of the inaugural Climate Week in London.

With 14 categories, the inaugural Climate Week Awards celebrate the very best of what Britain has to offer in combating climate change, including outstanding achievements by individuals, businesses and communities.

The awards were judged by an all-star panel including best-selling author Ian McEwan, Lord Nicholas Stern (author of the Stern Report), former Irish President Mary Robinson, eco-adventurer David de Rothschild, and Tim Smit, founder of the Eden project.

Chosen from a shortlist of 4, Continental Clothing, a supplier of blank cotton T-shirts and sweatshirts for fashion brands and corporate use, has established a blueprint for low carbon fashion. The maker of this year’s official Climate Week T-shirt has spent two years developing its EarthPositive range which has a carbon footprint 90% lower than conventionally-produced clothing.

Continental analysed and improved every stage of its production process. The clothing uses organic cotton and is made using electricity generated solely from wind power. It is transported without using air freight, with 100% biodegradeable and recycled packaging. Continental’s factory in India treats waste water to ensure a low water footprint, and minimizes or recycles other waste.

Mariusz Stochaj, Head of Products, Continental Clothing, commented:
“We are very excited to receive the nomination. Our low-carbon EarthPositive t-shirts have been immensely popular, showing not only that it is possible to make clothes cleanly and responsibly, but also that there is a growing demand for low-carbon, sustainable products. The Climate Week is a great way to put into focus the pressing need for action to reduce the carbon emissions. Winning the inaugural Climate Week award would be a real cherry on the cake for us.”

Andrew Cave, Head of Group Sustainability at Award-Sponsor RBS commented:
"RBS is pleased to celebrate the many examples of leadership and innovation in tackling climate change that are taking place in businesses across the UK. The transition to a low carbon economy brings both challenges and opportunities for all businesses, and the finalists for the Best Initiative by a Small or Medium-Sized Business exemplify how it is possible to grow a healthy business that makes a real contribution to tackling climate change.”

Commenting on the winners, Climate Week CEO Kevin Steele said:
“I would like to offer my congratulations to The Continental Clothing Company, and to the other winners and finalists. This initiative is an important part of a larger vision which shows what a low-carbon Britain could look like.
This vision is created by the hard work, creativity and innovation of dedicated individuals, organisations and communities who are working to protect our planet and build a secure future."

Taking place this week, (21-27 March), Climate Week is the new national occasion backed by the Prime Minister and Sir Paul McCartney to inspire millions to combat climate change.

Winner: Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Awards 2010 - Category: Outstanding Performance

Continental Clothing Company won the prestigious Responsible Business 2010 Award for Outstanding Performance at the inaugural Ethical Corporation Awards in London.

The Outstanding Performance Award recognises Continental Clothing as the company that made the most impressive verified corporate responsibility achievement over the year on a specific issue. The other nominees in this category were Xstrata, Marshalls, Procter & Gamble and Globo.

The judges “were impressed by the sheer scale of the company’s sustainability ambition, and by the fact that it achieved a huge amount in a short time. Continental have shown real leadership in their sector, and found solutions where other people have just talked about problems. The judges were particularly impressed by the fact that this company is taking the lead as a B2B company.”

“We are thrilled to receive this award. Most of the shortlisted companies are corporate giants, so this really feels like David and Goliath. I am delighted with the judges’ decision to consider ethical trade to be more than labour issues alone. The workers’ rights and welfare are of critical importance, particularly in the textile industry, but environmental damage and climate change cause equal amounts of human misery. Sustainability is the buzz word – and rightly so.” – said Mariusz Stochaj, head of products at Continental Clothing Co.

Winner: Natural and Organic Awards 2009 - Category: Best Organic Textile Product

Continental Clothing triumphed the Best Organic Textile Product 2009 at the Natural & Organic Products Annual Industry Awards announced by Jo Fairley - co-founder of Green & Blacks and author of The Beauty Bible.

Winner of the Best Organic Textile Product: Continental Clothing for EarthPositive cotton clothing.

The Earthpositive product range was conceived in 2007 with the objective of producing attractive and commercially viable organic cotton casual wear that would maximize positive and minimize negative environmental, social and economic impacts along the supply and value chain. EarthPositive is ethically made, 100% organic and manufactured solely using sustainable energy generated from wind power.

Winner: Company Clothing Awards 2009 - Category: Best Environmental Initiative

Continental Clothing have been awarded the 'Environmental Initiative Award' for 'EarthPositive Apparel' in the Company Clothing Industry Awards 2009 - the measure of excellence in corporate wear design and supply.

The Company Clothing Industry Awards 2009 were held on 12th March 2009 at The Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London, and were hosted by Myleene Klass.

Winner: Printwear and Promotion Awards 2008 - Category: Environmental and Energy Saving

Continental’s EarthPositive Apparel has reduced the CO2 emissions of its new promotional apparel by over 89%. EarthPositive is proud to introduce The Carbon Trust’s first carbon reduction label for textile products - the first of its kind in the world.

The purpose of EarthPositive apparel is to pass forward the competitive advantage it has gained to companies looking for ways to act on climate change using real products.

Winner: Best Small Business Awards 2005 - Region: London