Sarah joined us at the C2S Sustainability Focus online to talk about her amazing journey, what inspired her to start Y.O.U Underwear and to achieve B Corp status, and the highest scoring retail business.
This is a very inspiring story and demonstrates the ‘Art of the Possible’ and what you can achieve with sheer will, determination and passion.
Watch the recording to hear all about her journey and insights into applying for B Corp status, top tips, honesty, the challanges and the benefits it has brought to her business.
About Sarah Jordan
I’m Sarah, and I’m trying to change the world one pair of pants at a time!
It all started when I travelled out to East Africa in 2016 and did some community volunteer work as part of the Uganda Marathon. I was shocked at the number of women and children I met who didn’t have access to something we take for granted every day – underwear.
I believe that underwear should be universally available to people in all communities. To take steps towards making this a reality, I decided to create a business that sells underwear on a buy-one-give-two model. It’s really quite simple!
About YOU Underwear – B-Corp
After a year of hard work and development, Y.O.U Underwear is now a B Corp. In fact, as of December 2021, we’re the highest scoring B Corp in the UK, and the top fashion brand in the world! This proves, and furthers, our commitment to being a business who puts purpose over profit. We’re proof that businesses can be a means for good.
We wanted to become a B Corp to show that purpose, people and planet mean more to us than profit. With giving back and sustainability at the heart of what we do, we’re so pleased to have our work backed up by something as respected as a B Corp Certification.
To be certified as a B Corp, you need to achieve a score of 80. Our score is 160.5! This means that we’ve achieved a score of more than double the requirement – and puts us at the top of the UK B Corp list! We’re also the highest scoring fashion brand globally, so you can put your trust in our sustainable mission and creds.
HOW CAN YOU HELP
Sarah runs a recycling project for worn out underwear, men’s, ladies and children’s. All old underwear is sent for recycling and used to make other products. To send your clean, old underwear to Sarah.
From February 2022, We can recycle your old Y.O.U Underwear!
We’re recycling our products through TerraCycle, who collect garments and turn them into usable products for industry, rather than them going to landfill.
As well as accepting our own underwear, we will recycle socks, underwear and tights from any brand.
How To Recycle
If you’re local to Oxford, you can drop your clean underwear, socks & tights at our shop in Oxford’s Covered Market, directly into the TerraCycle box, 7 days a week.
If you’re elsewhere, or can’t get to the shop, you can post them to us at:
Y.O.U Underwear, 11 Bodley Place, Oxford, OX2 7TF
and we’ll make sure they get recycled!
Unfortunately, as a small business, we can’t cover the postage costs. We are covering the recycling costs though, so you don’t need to pay to have your garments processed.
Smalls for All
If you have any unwanted bras, please contact Smalls for All and donate them and sent to:
Please send your smalls to:
Smalls for All®
Five Sisters Business Park
Westwood
West Calder
EH55 8PN
United Kingdom
For more info:https://www.smallsforall.org/
Buy from Y.O.U. Underwear Online https://www.youunderwear.com/
Watch Sarah’s Recording:
Download Sarah’s Slides:
YOU underwear – SJ C2S sustainability talk – 18th May 2022 (002)
