Sustainability

Design to sustain

Design is the most distinctive feature at the Beekman Group and an important point of attention when it comes to sustainability. The motto ‘small change, appropriate effect’ forms the basis for creating an innovative and contemporary collection that is timeless at the same time and whereby wearing comfort and fit are self-evident. Based on a visual DNA analysis of a specific company, we then put together a 1-, 3- and 5-year plan, which reflects the minor adjustments that can be made to the collection during this time frame. Small changes in design mean in fact that over time new items can be combined with items already existing in the collection and that they may be worn side by side. The effect is an extended life cycle. Also, the items are designed in such a way that they can be recycled and reused more easily and efficiently. This way, D-cares takes the next step in making clothing in the healthcare sector more sustainable.

Raw material & Fibers

An example of how we make our D-cares collection more sustainable is the use of sustainable raw materials and fibers such as Lyocell. Lyocell is made from wood and therefore has a natural and renewable origin. An important fact is that the responsible and certified trees come from sustainably managed sources. No artificial irrigation or pesticides are used for the planting and growth of the trees. Not using pesticides not only has an ecological advantage but also contributes to the high quality of the material. In addition, this sustainable approach has a direct improvement of the effects on the local environment.

A sort of wood pulp is made from the trees and then processed into a strong and high-quality fiber. The process is very simple and can be compared to dissolving sugar in your coffee. During this closed-loop Lyocell production process, more than 99% of the required water and auxiliary materials are collected and reused. This circular approach helps to keep the use of energy and other resources to a minimum. In addition, the processing is free of chemical residues. The production and use of Lyocell therefore results in much less water consumption and low CO2 emissions compared to most fabrics in use in the healthcare sector.

Simply good to know.