Lindex continues to improve sustainable credentials

Swedish fashion retailer Lindex has released its latest Sustainability Report, revealing that 42 percent of its fashion products are now made from sustainable fibres and that the amount of sustainable garments sold has increased by 64 percent compared to previous year.

In total, Lindex, part of Stockmann Group, sold more than 27 million sustainable garments during 2015, with more than 70 percent of all of its products made in Bangladesh being made from sustainable fibres. Across its categories, 100 percent of all of its childrenswear and newborn clothing is made of sustainable materials, while 90 percent of its women’s basic assortment is.

Lindex chief executive officer, Ingvar Larsson said: “To act sustainable is a key value at Lindex and it influences everything we do. I am very proud of the many great results that we have achieved so far. We work dedicatedly towards our target that 80 percent of our garments will be made from sustainable sources by 2020 and we have already achieved 42 percent by 2015.”

The report states that Lindex is looking to minimise the negative environmental impact of its garments by strategically increasing its share of more sustainable fibres, and continuously evaluating new fibre options with less environmental impact.

“Our goal is that by the year 2020, 80 percent of our garments shall be made of sustainable materials and a 100 percent of our cotton shall come from sustainable ‘sources’ such as organic,recycled or better cotton,” the report explains.

Lindex aims to make 80 percent of its clothes from sustainable sources by 2020

In addition, Lindex has also improved its production processes which has led to using less water, energy and chemicals, especially when it comes to producing its denim. In 2015, it reduced its water usage by 45 percent and energy by 27 percent. It’s biggest change has been how its produces its denim through the launch of its ‘Better Denim - now and forever’ campaign, where the process is much more sustainable and nearly all Lindex denim is now made of sustainable cotton.

Other highlights for 2015 includes the company donating 1.3 million euros to cancer research through sales activities, working with more than 12,000 women in health education in its supply chain in Bangladesh, which is around 50 percent of the female factory workers, as well as being named a top 10 users of certified organic cotton worldwide according to Textile Exchange Organic Cotton Market Report.

Moving forward, Lindex has stressed that it sees great potential in using post-consumer recycled fibres, as they have started collecting garments in around 50 stores, and is looking to add to its first upcycled product, its first close the loop produce, a pair of shoes made from an old pair of jeans which hits stores this spring.

Lindex has more than 490 stores in 19 markets, including across the Nordic countries, the Baltic States, Central Europe and the Middle East, and in 2015, it opened its first flagship in London.

Images: Lindex