At OYM our ethos is to be 'planet positive', where our products go beyond reducing harm for the planet and instead work toward having a net positive impact. This to us is true sustainability.

The apparel and footwear sector is one of the most polluting industries on the planet and our mission is to change that.

For us this means:

• Using bio-based, plastic-free raw materials, 

• Working with supply chain partners who meet recognised social and environmental standards, with full transparency and traceability, 

• Prolonging the life of our products through circular systems such as repair, reuse and recycling, 

• Measuring, reducing and offsetting our carbon emissions. 

Ultimately our vision is for our products to biodegrade fully back into the natural environment at the end of their life, or to become a feedstock input for other raw material value streams.

We want you to feel good wearing meticulously designed sportswear for optimal active performance, using bio-based fabrics that are better for your body and the planet, with a transparent and certified supply chain to give you peace of mind.

Our Materials

Almost all sportswear currently produced is made from synthetic (plastic) fibres derived from crude oil. We are facing enormous challenges with a worldwide plastic overload that damages our planet. Synthetic fibres like polyester, elastane and nylon dominate the sportswear market, often containing toxic chemicals and releasing microplastics into the environment. 

At OYM we believe there is an alternative solution. Our sourcing practices mean we can be confident that our materials have a lower impact compared to conventional fossil fuel derived synthetic materials, without sacrificing product quality or performance. We predominantly use bio-based materials, such as man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs) and biosynthetics.

 

Man Made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCFs)

 

MMCFs are derived from cellulose, the main building block of plant cell walls. Through different manufacturing processes, this cellulose is dissolved then extruded into a wide variety of fabrics including rayon, acetate, lyocell and modal. 

OYM only source MMCFs made from sustainably grown wood, and use fibre-production processes with less harmful chemistries. Together, these commitments decrease our impact compared to conventional processes without sacrificing product quality or performance. 

Most MMCFs are made from tree pulp, and the material can be linked to deforestation, threatening ancient and endangered ecosystems. To combat this, all of our fibres containing wood pulp are FSC certified, meaning the forests the wood is sourced from are sustainably grown to strict environmental, social and economic standards and not contributing towards illegal deforestation.

 

Lyocell

 

Typically sourced from tree pulp, lyocell is known for its softness and high moisture absorbency. Our lyocell fabrics are a result of our collaboration with Austria-based manufacturer Lenzing, which produces the branded lyocell fibre TENCEL™. TENCEL™ fibres are made in closed-loop processes that recycle water during manufacturing, while also recovering and reusing more than 99% of the solvent needed to process the wood.

Learn more about Lyocell here.

 

Seacell

 

Seacell is a seaweed-infused cellulose fibre. This is a plant with anti-inflammatory characteristics that is high in minerals, residual elements, carbs, lipids, and vitamins. The natural seaweed has an energizing element that keeps the skin fresh. The high antioxidant content of Seacell provides a form of immune cell system capable of neutralising free radicals that attack the skin, causing damage and favouring aging and atopic illnesses. Seacell is made entirely of renewable raw materials (wood and seaweed) in an inexpensive and environmentally sustainable manufacturing process, similar to Lyocell.

Learn more about Seacell here.

Other Materials

 

Organic Cotton

 

Our organic cotton trims are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) which means we can be sure they are made with certified organic fibres and are produced under strict social and environmental criteria.

Learn more about GOTS here.

 

FSC Certified Paper

 

Our garment bags, mailers and hangtags are made from FSC certified paper, free from bleach and chlorine, printed with non-toxic inks certified by Oeko-Tex. These packaging items can be recycled in your home recycling bin or composted.

 

Stainless Steel

 

We use uncoated stainless steel safety pins to attach our hangtags to your products. These can be reused or recycled at a household waste recycling centre.