Planet

Right now, there are a lot of sustainability buzzwords whirling around. They fill our atmosphere, like carbon, which is unfortunately not a fancy name but a real problem.

Carbon is one of the seven greenhouse-gases (GHGs) that pollutes our environment increasingly. Its emissions are created by the burning of fossil fuels, solid waste, trees and other biological materials. Or to put it into one word: industrialisation.

The alarming effect: GHGs cause massive changes to the global temperature, climate and entire ecosystem. If we don’t act, our plants, oceans, animals, trees and soils will no longer be able to keep up.

So, what do we have to do?

Let’s pick up two buzzwords that are currently on trend: carbon footprint & climate neutral.

A carbon footprint is the total amount of GHGs that are generated by our actions. The global clothing industry is the second biggest polluter, and is responsible for about 10% of annual carbon emissions. And - let’s face it - we are part of it.

Climate positive is the finish line of a journey on which companies like us reduce their carbon footprint step-by-step; due to Science-Based Targets (SBT). Here is what it looks like:

In 2021, we managed to finalise our `measurement` (2019 Status quo), identify where we mess up and evaluate our carbon footprint for the very first time. Step 01: Done.

We talked about our own carbon footprint, but there are way more traces in the sand. All actors in our supply chain have an effect on our planet.

We want to understand which environmental issues have the greatest impact on our business and how our partners manage them. Again, it’s maximum transparency that we are seeking.

The primary goal; make our whole production a green one. And by whole we really mean it, with a closed loop, renewable energies, the re-use of water etc. Here is our roadmap; together with amfori BEPI with steps that are planned to leave green traces only.

There are two approaches on better packaging: 1) reduce and 2) recycle. We are currently doing both. We are consequently working on reducing our packaging, and at the same time using recycled poly bags and cartons.

That’s why we introduced 100% recycled paper for our eCom packaging, and will roll out our 100% recycled & recyclable poly bags (post-consumer waste) in early 2022.

But we aren’t done there. You already know it: Sustainability comes in waves, and we are already preparing ourselves for the next ones.

In 2022+, we will keep on researching for biodegradable solutions. Because - let’s face it - 100% recycled poly bags are still plastic bags, and our aim is definitely to reduce their use.

Plus: We plan to change all our cartons (in - and outbound) to a recycled version or, at the very least, a mixed version. This won't happen overnight - but it's on our agenda.

Today most products on the market have one shared destiny: they end up as waste. They are designed within a linear lifecycle. Made. Used. Thrown away. One straight line to the dump.

We want to connect both ends of that line, and make a loop out of it. So that there actually is no `end`. Our vision: a circular system that maintains the use of resources, and keeps products in use. To reduce the harmful effects on our planet.

We are still at the very beginning, but there are some first drops causing circular waves that spread concentrically: we are increasing the use of recycled materials and implementing recycled water treatments for our denims. Sure, we are aware that circularity is way more than only using recycled materials. That’s why we’re already planning to create even bigger waves.

 In early 2022, our first circular design workshops are scheduled for our product teams, because the basis of a closed-loop product lifecycle is the knowledge on how to design products for more than just one life.

After we’ve set this important foundation - the sand we want to build on - we will aim at creating a circular capsule, made of materials with processes that are part of a clever backloop system: more sustainable, waste reducing and causing less emissions.

These two actions relate to new products. So what are we planning to do with the `old` ones? Those that are already in your closet, and destined to end up in the dump.

One of our targets for 2022, is to introduce a garment-collecting initiative that gives customers the opportunity to bring back their worn clothes. To really turn the straight line - Made. Used. Thrown away. - into a loop. And to raise awareness on how fashionable recycling can be.

Let’s stop
drowning.

In the wide sea of promises.

And actually turn them into deeds. For all people. For waves of progress. For our planet.

If you want to keep on reading before you surface, you can find our Full Sustainability Report here.