Article extracted from Asian Diver Issue 02/2020 (155)
It’s not just on a national level where change is being implemented. Several evolved and active brands have derived, produced or presented products to the world that take on an environmentally friendly angle by promoting sustainability. Let’s celebrate the respective initiatives taken up by commercial brands, non-governmental organisations, non-profit organisations, and social and technical enterprises, as we attempt to capture some of the most unique and memorable ones.
RETAIL AND FASHION
IKEA
IKEA was one of the first brands to lead the phasing out of plastic bags. They introduced a policy in which customers have to purchase a blue IKEA bag for 59 cents or use their own. More than 90 percent of Ikea shoppers chose to use reusable bags instead of plastic ones. This policy is still in effect even today. IKEA plans to eliminate all single-use plastic products by 2020.
EVERLANE RENEW OUTERWEAR
The ReNew collection by Everlane features jackets and sweaters made with recycled plastic bottles. By March 2019, the sustainable brand began reducing single-use plastic in offices and stores by 50 percent having switched to alternatives in 2018. In April 2019, they spearheaded a collaboration with The New York Times to raise awareness of climate change.
REFORMATION
ETHIQUE BEAUTY
Ethique Beauty brand revolutionised the beauty industry by being the first proper zero-waste beauty brand. Founded by Brianne West, Ethique Beauty (French for “ethical”), is enthusiastically supported by celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Britney Spears. Instead of using plastic bottles, Ethique’s shampoos and conditioners take the form of bars, and naturally, they have compostable packaging.
ADIDAS X PARLEY OCEAN PLASTIC
IN 2019, ADIDAS pledged to make 11 million shoes out of recycled ocean plastic. The partnership with Parley prevented 2,810 tonnes of plastic from reaching the ocean.
PHARRELL WILLIAMS X G-STAR RAW
PRADA
The veteran fashion brand launched its Re-Nylon project in mid-2019, introducing a sustainable line of bags made from the recycled nylon Econyl. Created by Italian company Aquafil, Econyl uses synthetic waste such as industrial plastic, waste fabric and discarded fishing nets. Prada’s ultimate goal is to convert all its virgin nylon into Econyl by the end of 2021.
To finance its ambitious sustainability targets, Prada secured a 50 million euro five-year loan with Crédit Agricole Group, the first of its kind in the luxury fashion industry. This loan scheme allows the fashion house to alter its interest rates on an annual basis if it reaches its eco-friendly objectives.
UNIQLO
Beginning in September 2019, Uniqlo began reducing single-use plastic in stores and phasing out plastic shopping bags. The company has also implemented Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper or recycled paper into their system.
The company began eliminating plastic packaging for items such as room shoes while committing to finding more environmentally sound packaging materials for other goods. As well as beginning to sell eco-friendly cloth bags, Uniqlo began charging customers for paper shopping bags.
Liked this post? Stayed tuned for Entertainment Brands’ initiatives on mitigating plastic use!