Responsible Sourcing
In 2020 we announced a significant set of commitments to improve and strengthen our business. We have embraced change and we’re creating a stronger, more open and transparent boohoo group every day.
We are working side by side with our approved suppliers to support our aim of backing British manufacturing and growing with good partners.
It's safe to say that our Group of today is a stronger, more sustainable and ethical business. But this is just the beginning of our ambition. Our history is still in the making and we look to the future and the positive impact we can make.
We love fashion. Understanding that producing the latest trends has environmental and social factors, so we’re focusing our efforts on the main areas that have the biggest impact when it comes to creating clothes; materials, design, waste and packaging, plus necessary initiatives to help prolong the products you love.
Here’s our commitment to change:
All our polyester and cotton will be recycled or more sustainably sourced. More sustainably sourced includes organic cotton, Better Cotton and Cotton Connect. Over half of our synthetic cellulosics will come from more sustainable sources. All our leather, wool, feather and down will be sourced in line with industry best practice.
All the materials we use will be more sustainably sourced.
We’re already beginning to produce more sustainable products. Our denim collection is crafted from at least 85% organic cotton and our core range of basics, like t-shirts and vest are being produced with organic cotton and recycled polyester.
We are committed to producing more sustainable clothing for you to love now and forever, with more ranges due to land throughout the year and seasons ahead.
Look out for our READY FOR THE FUTURE products across the site, coming soon. Discover more about our READY FOR THE FUTURE pieces in out helpful guidelines.
As well as our products, we’re dedicated to making sure we reduce the rest of our business’s eco impact.
Through trialling alternative materials and using more recycled content, we’re working to make our packaging more sustainable and eco-friendly. Currently, our dispatch bags are made with over 80% recycled material and are recyclable. We’ve also gone paperless with our returns.
Building on the work we’ve done in our own operations, we want to work with our UK supply chain to divert all textile waste from landfill by 2025. We donate over 100,000 samples a year to charities. Plus, we plan to work with our UK suppliers to make sure that direct off-cuts are upcycled, recycled and contribute to future products.
We buy our products in small quantities to help reduce overconsumption and waste. The percentage of stock that doesn’t sell through is, therefore, always low meaning we can sell outstanding items to third parties to be sold as seconds, or give items to charities or our recycling partners.
We endeavour to tackle textile waste by looking at our resale and recycling offers which extends the life of our products. Check out our REWEAR, REUSE, RECYCLE guidelines for easy changes you can make to prolong the life of your garments.
Plus, download the ReGAIN app to donate unwanted clothes you’ve finished with.
To provide you with accurate information about the materials we’re using and their credentials, here’s a handy guide.
MORE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES
Recycled Fibres
Recycled fibres can be used for a number of materials including polyester, cotton and acylic. They are a more sustainable alternative as they are not using virgin fibres and are often made of materials that would otherwise have gone to waste.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is grown using less water, with greater care for the soil and biodiversity, and without chemical fertilisers and pesticides, creating lower environmental impact than conventional cotton. We are also investigating other more sustainable cotton options which we will announce and introduce in 2021.
Responsibly Sourced Viscose
Viscose sourced from responsibly managed forests and using responsible production practices.
Leather, Wool, Feather & Down
We are working towards sourcing our animal derived products from industry best practice. Wool and feather and down certified to high animal welfare standards and leather from tanneries that are working to reduce their environmental impact.
Surplus Textiles
Tackling textile waste is a priority and so we will be looking for ways to use textiles that could otherwise have gone to waste including vintage, surplus and rescued fabrics.
Better Cotton (BCI)
We are proud members of the Better Cotton Initiative. Better Cotton is not traceable to end products. However, BCI farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in equivalent volumes to those we source. This will not appear on product until 10% of all cotton is sourced through BCI.
By 2030, all the materials we use will be more sustainably sourced. Plus, by 2025 all our polyester and cotton will be recycled or more sustainably sourced. More sustainably sourced includes organic cotton, Better Cotton and Cotton Connect. Over half of our synthetic cellulosics will come from more sustainable sources. All our leather, wool, feather and down will be sourced in line with industry best practice. In addition, we’re members of the
Any item with at least 20% ‘better materials’ (outlined in the table below), will make up part of our READY FOR THE FUTURE collection, this being the absolute minimum with the majority of our clothes being 50% or more.
To begin with, our threshold is low to support our suppliers who are new to working with sustainable materials, but will be increasing each year towards our targets. A goal that we endeavour to keep you updated on.