SanMar (asi/84863), the No. 1 company on Counselor’s list of the industry’s Top 40 suppliers, is beefing up its lineup of sustainability-focused apparel and accessories.

The Issaquah, WA-based supplier has released 120 styles across 17 brands, including 27 limited-edition styles. Among the new offerings are sports uniforms, outerwear and fleece, as well as new styles from brands like Nike, Carhartt, The North Face and Eddie Bauer.

Port Authority women’s C-FREE rain jacket (L714) from SanMar (asi/84863)

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Among the highlights are several additions to SanMar’s C-FREE collection, a certified carbon-neutral line of garments launched in 2022. The supplier now offers more than 70 carbon-neutral styles, with the addition of Port Authority C-FREE fleece and outerwear options. The goal, according to Shel Renning, vice president of merchandising, was to include “multiple layering options” in the C-FREE line to “best accommodate teams and protect them from the elements throughout the year.”

In addition, SanMar has released a “value-oriented” recycled T-shirt. The Core Blend Recycled Tee (PC01) is circularity-minded, made from 50% ring-spun cotton scraps and cuttings from Port & Company cotton T-shirts. The other 50% is made from recycled polyester, also known as recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

“We make the PC01 by using our own factories’ scraps, breaking them down into fibers, spinning them back into yarn and then making a new shirt with that recycled yarn,” said Patrick Noonan, chief product officer. “We know there’s a market for less expensive shirts that still prioritize sustainability, and we wanted to provide a quality choice for those customers.”

The Charity Tech Pack (ACFG10ACS or ACFG10ARC) includes a giveback component to either the American Red Cross or the American Cancer Society.

Also part of the sustainable rollout are two new limited-edition brands: Outdoor Research and tentree. Outdoor Research, an outerwear brand known for high-quality technical garments, uses bluesign-approved materials and emphasizes responsible sourcing, reduced material impact and a lower carbon footprint. Tentree makes garments with organic cotton and hemp fabrications and has an environmental mission to plant 10 trees for every unit sold.

“At a time when social and environmental issues are top-of-mind for many consumers, it’s exciting to see SanMar meet the moment with new styles and brands to help round out our assortment,” said Emily Gigot, senior manager of sustainability. “We are not only providing stylish, functional apparel, but also helping complete the uniform for any business looking to walk the talk with their sustainability commitments.”

SanMar has also launched its first product with a direct charitable giving impact. Its Charity Tech Pack is a durable backpack made of recycled materials, with SanMar donating $5 per backpack sold to support the work of the American Cancer Society and American Red Cross. Each bag features a unique internal label that identifies the charity and highlights its mission with a QR code to encourage end-users to contribute to these important causes.

SanMar ranked first on Counselor’s most recent list of the top suppliers in the promotional products industry, with estimated 2023 revenue of $3.6 billion.

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