OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn set the scene at a launch party held at personalised clothing manufacturer, Citizen Wolf’s Sydney-based Smart Factory, declaring ‘community is the new immunity’. Epson was on hand to literally supply the colour to this collaboration, with the Epson SureColor F2260 A3+ DTG/DTFilm fabric and merchandise printer now an integrated part of the on-demand process.
L to R: Andrew Cuccurullo (OzHarvest Ventures), Eric Phu (co-founder Citizen Wolf), Ronni Kahn (founder OzHarvest), Craig Heckenberg (Epson A/NZ MD) and Priscilla Dickason (Epson A/NZ Corporate Marketing Manager
Citizen Wolf co-founder Eric Phu says: “A recent EPA report from the NSW State government estimates the total textile wastage alone in Australia at around 400,000 tonnes per year, going straight to landfill.”
“That’s the premise against which we first established our business: tailored, on-demand shirts, T’s and other garments, made to measure and in the style that our data suggests will be best suited to the individual who will be wearing it.”
Following discussions with OzHarvest Ventures, Phu also recognised that any number of charities and brands would typically need to order and pay for mass quantities of merchandise in advance, without knowing which style, designs or sizes will sell well, often resulting in unsold stock and wasted money and resources: the very antithesis of what OzHarvest needed from its merchandise partner.
Thereafter, Epson essentially came along as an enabler. With the Epson SureColor F2260 A3+ DTG/DTFilm fabric and merchandise printer able to print digitally, on-demand, using UltraChrome DG2 ink, specifically designed to support a wider range of fabrics with better colour and less bleed. Epson also supplied Citizen Wolf’s smart factory with a D300 Speed Oven and a SEFA Rotex Pro Swing Away Heat Press.
Phu adds: “In collaborating with Epson to create a smarter factory we have been able to bring to life a new innovation in our Zero Inventory Merchandise solution. This solves the real-world problem of eliminating the financial risks and incredible waste inherent in the fashion and merchandise industry, by combining Citizen Wolf's and Epson's leading on-demand technologies.”
“The ZIM solution allows charities and other brands to have custom made garments, hold zero inventory, get their money upfront from the customer and only pay for what they sell. In this way they can create as many designs, styles and sizes of garments as they wish that are only produced when an order is placed. It eliminates the capital and risks associated with holding inventory so it can be focused on supporting their charitable work, while creating new revenue streams to support their fundraising activities.”
Craig Heckenberg, Epson A/NZ MD, adds: “Our partnership with Citizen Wolf, the creation of the Smart Factory and our support of the OzHarvest Ventures social enterprise initiatives are of particular value to the environment as they significantly contribute to our shared goals around sustainable manufacturing and minimising waste in the fashion and food industries.”
“Given the enormous amounts of clothing sold during Black Friday and the holiday gifting season, most of which ends up in landfill within the year, the new smart factory and ZIM model are much needed and far more efficient alternatives that are better for people, charities and the planet.” 
Smiles all round at the prospect of what this collaboration could mean
Citizen Wolf is Ethical Clothing Australia accredited and B Corp certified, ensuring that every garment meets the highest sustainability and ethical standards and is 100% made in Australia. Epson and Citizen Wolf also took the opportunity to launch a limited-edition range (exclusively available through shop.ozharvest.org) of sustainably produced t-shirts and tote bags in collaboration with OzHarvest Ventures, the social enterprise entity of OzHarvest.
Ronni Kahn spoke to this limited-edition range, saying: “My designs feature symbols of hope and collective action we can all take to do good in the world. This unique showcase is an example of how we can all work together and create positive impact for the world through innovative ideas and collaboration.”
Heckenberg concludes: “OzHarvest is a wonderful for-impact organisation that helps stop food waste and feed those doing it tough in our community. We are delighted to work together with Citizen Wolf to print a range of t-shirts, tote bags and aprons, featuring designs by OzHarvest’s founder Ronni Kahn in the new Smart Factory. Proceeds from the range will support OzHarvest to carry out their amazing and impactful work.”
