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Pentland

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"We are looking to reduce our products' environmental footprint across the whole lifecycle."

Product 
 

Making any product has an impact on the environment.

 

The extent of this impact depends on the materials used to make the product and its packaging, the manufacturing process, its journey from factory to consumer, and the way it is disposed of when no longer wanted. 

We are looking to reduce our products' environmental footprint across their whole lifecycles, in partnership with our suppliers.

This is not something that any individual brand can do alone. Pentland is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), an industry-wide collaboration that aims to measure, compare and reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products.

Within Pentland, our work builds on previous 'responsible products' research we published in 2008 (Read more). Focus areas include:

Materials

We investigate the use of materials that have a lower environmental impact than conventional materials, but that are still cost-effective and provide the high quality end product our consumers expect and deserve.

Leather, for example, is a major component of footwear. We participate in the Leather Working Group, which measures the environmental impacts of tanneries and encourages them to reduce the footprint of their own and their suppliers' operations.

We are also looking at ways to make products easier to recycle when they are no longer wanted or fit for purpose. For example, we support a Loughborough University project to increase the recyclability of footwear, with the eventual aim of achieving "zero waste to landfill" in the footwear sector.

Restricted Substances

Our intention is that consumers, workers and the environment are not exposed to harmful chemicals through the manufacture or use of products that are sold by our brands.

We give our designers and suppliers the guidance they need to avoid the use of any potentially harmful substances in Pentland brands' products. In October 2012 we published and distributed a revised & modular version of our Policy, Standards and Guidelines for Managing Restricted Substances. Please click the links below to access the documents:

Master Standards
Appendices
Process & Brand Specifics
Guidance

Compliance with this restricted substances policy and relevant laws and regulations is a condition of business with our suppliers.

As a member of AFIRM, a group that aims to reduce the use and impact of harmful substances in the apparel and footwear supply chain, we collaborate with others in our industry to identify the best ways to manage restricted substances and communicate requirements to suppliers.

Packaging

We also consider the environmental impacts of the packaging that protects our products. Our packaging guidelines encourage Pentland brands to reduce packaging size and weight and where appropriate to select recycled or more sustainable packaging materials.

Supply Chain Environmental Impacts

The processes used to manufacture our products use energy and water and generate waste and wastewater. As part of our factory assessment process (Read more), we are working with suppliers to understand and reduce these impacts.

Product distribution has an impact too. We choose to ship our products by sea instead of by air freight where possible. This helps to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions associated with distribution.

 

Other pages in this section

Corporate Responsibility

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