In our industry, it is difficult to completely eliminate the use of different kinds of packaging – but those that are essential must have the least possible impact on the environment. Our goal for packaging is the second in this series, in which we are presenting some of KappAhl’s sustainability goals in more detail.
Plastic bags and cardboard packaging are necessary as they prevent our products from becoming soiled or damaged.
Our packaging already contains a large percentage of sustainable materials and we aim to have 100% more sustainable materials in our packaging by 2022 and 100% circular packaging by 2030. This target is part of our commitment to develop sustainable stores and a sustainable organisation (find out more about our sustainability goals further down).
Tell us more about the packaging, KappAhl’s Head of Sustainability Fredrika Klarén. What do we have?
“The packaging around our products is designed for protection, and for information and display purposes. We also have packaging that is used to protect the products during transit, like e-commerce bags and goods flow boxes.
It’s important to point out that our goal for packaging also includes what we call indirect materials, such as store fittings, clothes hangers, shopping bags, signs and so on. We have already met the target of more sustainable material for some of them, for example, our recycled plastic hangers and plastic bags, but there is still some way to go before we achieve this goal for all of them.”
Is all this packaging necessary?
“No. I think we need to set ourselves a challenge and take a close look at the way we work. But of course we have to protect our products, otherwise we’ll be wasting the resources that are used to manufacture them. We have a responsible process and regularly assess the packaging to determine if we need it. Our general approach is that all packaging should be essential for quality purposes.”
What does circular packaging mean?
“Circularity means managing natural resources in a smart and efficient way. Materials that have been used are recovered and recycled to create new ones. By doing so, we are not consuming the earth’s finite resources. Circularity is essential for tackling our major environmental problems and for ensuring a sound economic future. Circularity fills me with hope. It is a very tangible and viable solution that will help enable us to use materials and consume products in a way that our planet can afford, even if the world’s population continues to grow.
Circular packaging should be used and reused repeatedly until worn out and then recycled instead of being incinerated or dumped in landfills. It should be designed to prevent waste and remnants, and renewable energy should be used to produce it.”
Fact: Our sustainability goals
Responsible Fashion is what we call our sustainability programme, the main goal of which is that everything we do will be done in a sustainable way. We are continuously taking new steps towards this goal.
To achieve this, we have a sustainability strategy that focuses on four areas:
- Design fashion for a sustainable wardrobe
- Work for a sustainable production chain
- Develop sustainable stores and a sustainable organisation
- Guide and inspire our customers to make sustainable fashion choices
We have set several goals and measurable obligations for each area. The goals and obligations are evaluated and updated once a year.
Posted by Annakarin Thelin
kappahlblog.com 