Making life on bikes more sustainable
Leading British distributor and brand owner Oxford Products has been embarked on an ambitious and wide-ranging programme of environmental renewal in order to build a foundation that would allow it to move to carbon net zero in the future.
"Driving change to address economic, social and environmental challenges is high on everyone's agenda, the global average energy-related carbon footprint is around 4.7 tonnes of CO2 per person - the equivalent of taking two round-trip flights between Singapore and New York," says Oxford's Henry Rivers Fletcher.
"Here at Oxford, we all play an integral part in the workplace to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, but we realise a focused approach on sustainable projects within our business is paramount if we want to be a carbon net zero operation eventually. We internally audited our business in May 2023, focusing on key areas that have the biggest impact on the environment and formed a list of priorities to reduce that impact."
Initiatives have included a move to as much green renewable energy as possible, starting with the installation of a 40 kWh solar system which allows Oxford Products to offset approx. 8.46 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. This is the equivalent of planting 100 trees per year. For 2024, the company has committed to an additional £100,000 investment in solar panels capable of producing approximately 130 kWh of energy. This will save an additional 27 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
"Next, 50% of our company vehicle fleet has been converted to hybrid technology and pure electric where possible, thereby reducing harmful emissions by 40%. Our objective is to be 100% hybrid or fully electric by the end of 2025.
"Investment in more energy-efficient, movement-sensored lighting throughout our office network since March 2022 has resulted in a saving of 6.8 tonnes of carbon per year.
"In September 2023 we are installing a £55k green upgrade to our warehouse lighting, which will save 10 tonnes of CO2 per year. This exercise will be repeated in 2024 in our other facility, saving a further 8.5 tonnes of CO2 per year, and we are investing in voltage optimisation.
"In terms of product-specific projects, packaging has come in for scrutiny, with the focus on removing as much plastic as possible from our product range. In 2015, the company made the decision to accelerate this process as the cornerstone of a rebranding exercise, by redesigning EVERY item of packaging from our range of thousands of products.
"This investment served to remove at least 75% of ALL plastic from our packaging by moving over to paper-based materials. We also minimised the total volume of materials used per item, and by 2024 we will have replaced ALL plastic euro hangers with sustainable alternatives. In 2024, we will replace 8 tonnes of single-use plastic hangers with 100% fully biodegradable bamboo/paper mâché alternates.
"Moving forward, our objectives are now to remove ALL remaining single use plastics from product packaging by the end of 2023; replace ALL single use and reusable plastic with 100% biodegradable PET Film; carry out independent testing to ASTM D5511 to determine anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials and to use centralised sources for all packaging, so that we can guarantee the sustainability, consistency and quality of every item, regardless of where it comes from.
"In 2023 we will replace 14 tonnes of 'just recyclable' plastics to 'recycled and recyclable'. In 2024 this figure will be 32 tonnes.
"Circular economy is a new production and consumption model that ensures sustainable growth over time. With the circular economy, we can drive the optimisation of resources, reduce the consumption of raw materials, and recover waste by recycling or giving it a second life as a new product.
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| Compliance Manager (and Sustainability Champion) Paul Lavington leads Oxford's charge towards ISO 14001. He is pictured here with just-arrived samples of new bamboo-pulp clothing hangers which will replace Oxford's plastic hangers from 2024. |
"For example, our R&D team has developed new materials for motorcycle apparel (PPE) which are made from 62% recycled materials whilst maintaining the stringent safety and quality standards required. In 2023, they will represent 10% of our apparel offering and 1.3 tonnes of our clothing materials. In 2024 that will have grown to 20% or 2.0 tonnes of our clothing materials, with it growing to 30%/3.9 tonnes by 2025.
"We have also developed new thermal lining materials which are made from 100% recycled materials. In 2024, this will represent 28% of our production, which equates to 2.7 tonnes of single-use plastics being removed from the supply chain."
The company is also undertaking new research for motorcycle apparel with projects already underway to explore biodegradable and water-based printing solutions, cleaner denim production, designing for increased longevity, cellulosic fabric sourcing and to make supply chain improvements and embrace a "fair wear" initiative.
'Barkston' jacket
The latest addition to Oxford's Advanced Rider Series, the 'Barkston' jacket "is packed with clever material technology. Designed for urban riders seeking the perfect balance between comfort, style and protection, it comes with an impressive CE AA rating.
"It's highly waterproof and breathable laminate outer shell is sealed by top quality YKK AQUAGUARD zips, offering direct ventilation when needed. It also boasts tons of handy storage, lots of discreet reflective detailing for 360-degree visibility and a popper-down collar, which can be raised to maximise wind protection".
• CE AA Certified (EN 17092-3:2020)
• Level 1 CE shoulder & elbow protectors (EN 1621-1:2012)
• Back protector pocket
• Dry2Dry laminate outer shell
• 5,000 mm waterproof, 5,000 g/m2/24 hrs breathable
• Fixed thermal horizontal baffle quilted lining with 100 gsm insulation
• 60% recycled material nylon outer shell
• Neoprene soft touch edging on collar with extended placket for enhanced rider comfort
• Hook and loop closure on cuff adjuster for great fit
Oxford 'Holton MS' jacket
The 'Holton' jacket is described as "a true celebration of Oxford's 50th birthday. With its timeless and classic design, the 'Holton' is set to become a new favourite in our extended range of leather jackets. We have harnessed our expertise in CE and leather textures to deliver a worn-in look.
"Crafted from premium bovine leather, the 'Holton' is tough and supple, conforming to the rider's body shape for a comfortable and ergonomic fit. Its chest, yoke and arms are all securely stitched for extra strength".
• CE AA certified (EN 17092-3:2020)
• Level 2 CE shoulder & elbow protectors (EN 1621-1:2012)
• Back protector pocket
• Belt attachment loops for a secure protective fastening with jeans
• Cotton lining to naturally wick sweat from body
• Wind blocking plackets
• Ergonomically shaped elbow seam improves CE protector fit
• Full grain bovine leather hide
• Hidden structure stitching to secure CE zones - ensuring correct protector positioning at all times
• Reinforced safety seams
Original Approved AA Super Stretch jeans
"Our Original Approved Super Stretch jeans have a stylish urban optic which looks and feels great off the motorcycle. CE-certified to level AA, the jeans benefit from a significant fabric upgrade with our monolayer Armourlite construction.
"This specific variant of Super Stretch Armourlite has been interwoven with cotton to create a soft hand feel that performs to rigorous CE AA testing standards. It is highly abrasion-resistant while being ultra-stretchy to give you a comfortable, slim fit that does not hamper your range of motion. The interior of the jeans has fabric reinforcements to provide greater abrasion-resistance, while the knees and hips are fitted with high-performing and super-protective armour".
• Ultra-stretchable Armourlite denim construction
• Flexible level 2 CE knee and level 1 CE hip protectors are also included as standard; whilst soft and comfortable during normal riding, they will harden upon impact to help disperse force.
• CE AA Certified (EN 17092-3:2020)
• CE Level 2 knee protectors (EN 1621-1:2012)
• CE Level 1 hip protectors (EN 1621-1:2012)
• Reinforced impact abrasion zones
• Naturally breathable and moisture-wicking outer fabric
