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boohoo Sustainability

#FORTHEFUTURE

We’re on a journey to a more sustainable future. We know the problems. We’re putting into action the solutions. We aim to educate and inspire change to reduce the impact of fashion.

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boohoo Sustainability

Journey of our clothes & the impacts

Fibre Production

If you look at the care label you can see the materials your clothes are made from.

We use lots of different fibres, but the ones you will see most of are polyester, cotton and viscose.

Every fibre has a different environmental impact.

Environmental impacts

For example, standard polyester comes from fossil fuels. Conventional cotton requires a lot of water and fertiliser during its growth phase. Viscose is made of wood pulp that comes from trees and lots of chemicals are used in its production.

Clothing Production

Fibres are spun and then either knit or woven to make the material we use.

They can be dyed either before or afterwards.

Then our suppliers cut, sew and finish the garments.

Energy is used in the production of materials and in the manufacture of clothes.

Environmental Impact

The dyeing process can be chemically intensive and uses a lot of water. Wastewater needs to be treated to make sure it does not pollute waterways when it is released back into the environment.

Textile waste is produced when garments are cut.

Transportation & Selling

Our supplier send the clothes to our warehouses in Burnley and Manchester.

We take great photos of them in our studio and put them on our website where our customers buy them.

Environmental Impact

Clothes can be transported by road, rail, sea and air.

Carbon emissions are produced through all these modes of transport, but air freight is obviously the most energy intensive.

Wearing & Washing

Customers receive their clothes and either return them to us, or keep them.

Wear them and wash them, wear them and wash them etc.

Environmental Impact

There’s a carbon impact in returning products and in washing garments.

Water and chemicals found in laundry detergent are used during washing. Microfibres are also released during the washing process.

After Use

When customers don’t want them anymore they look for different ways to pass them on.

Environmental Impact

Clothes can be donated, swapped, downcycled or re-sold, but many garments end up in landfill or being incinerated to make energy.

WHAT WE'RE DOING TO REDUCE OUR IMPACT

Clothing Production
Fibre Production
Transportation
Washing
After Use
Circular Fashion

CLICK THE ICONS TO FIND OUT MORE

We believe fashion is for all, at accessible prices. However there is no denying the impact fashion has on the planet. We’re taking serious steps to becoming more sustainable.

Our sustainability range explained

boohoo Sustainability

How do we make our clothes?

As a business we are growing rapidly. We rely on strong relationships with our suppliers to provide our customers with on trend products at a great price. We’ve been building our team who work with our suppliers in the UK and further afield to make sure that we all have a clear map of all the factories producing our clothes and that our standards are followed to protect the workers in those factories and the quality of the clothes they produce.

On the 15th September, we ran our first meet the makers event, opening the doors to three of our suppliers in leicester. We welcomed members of the public, local government officials, journalists and members of our boohoo family to see behind the scenes and witness the great work we are doing.

We use a test and repeat approach. Production runs are small and we only order more of the products our customers like. This means that we don’t over order or hold excess stock which helps to reduces our waste.

Take a look at what happened during the tours.

boohoo Sustainability

What is Polyester?

What is it?

Polyester is made from a synthetic plastic fibre made from PET (the most common plastic in the world!). It’s the most widely used fibre in the clothing industry because it is really versatile, doesn’t wrinkle much and dries quickly - it is also very good value. It’s produced by melting the plastic and pushing it through tiny holes. The polyester threads are spun and woven into a material.

What are the problems with polyester?

Polyester is derived from crude oil and relies on a lot of energy to produce it. While it requires less water to make than most natural fibres, it does require water for cooling. The other concern with polyester is the end of life, because it is derived from plastic it takes many many years to break down. There are also concerns with microfibre release.

What we are doing?

We’ve started replacing conventional polyester with certified recycled polyester. This is usually produced from recycled plastic bottles. This certainly isn’t perfect, but it has a lower environmental impact. Some recycled polyester manufacturers are making their fibres from ocean plastics. This is something we want to work with our suppliers on. We are members of the microfibre consortium and are collaborating with other brands and retailers with the aim to provide solutions to microfibre release.

Find out more about more materials goals here.

boohoo Sustainability

What is Cotton?

What is it?

Cotton is a natural fibre derived from cotton plants. The fluffy fibre is picked and spun into thread. Once woven into material, it is light, breathable, easy to work, and easy to wear. This is why it’s so popular.

boohoo Sustainability

What are the problems with cotton production?

Traditional cotton production takes up a lot of land, uses a lot of water and is often grown in countries that are facing severe water stress. Farmers often use chemically intensive insecticides and artificial fertilisers that pollute the land and nearby waterbodies.

What are we doing?

Alternatives to traditional cotton are organic cotton, better cotton initiative cotton, recycled cotton and REEL (Responsible Environment Enhanced Livelihoods) cotton. Our buying teams are working with suppliers to use these alternatives.

We’re proud to announce our partnership with CottonConnect to produce more sustainable cotton and good business practices. The CottonConnect partnership will allow us to produce REEL cotton:
• Responsible
• Environment
• Enhanced
• Livelihoods

We will be working alongside farmers to educate them about the benefits of more sustainable production methods.

We also include products sourced through Better Cotton™ under this branding. Better Cotton is sourced through a system of Mass Balance and is not physically traceable to products, however, farmers directly benefit from the Better Cotton Program thanks to our sourcing of Better Cotton. To qualify for the READY FOR THE FUTURE strapline and icons, products sourced as Better Cotton must contain at least 50% cotton.

Find out more about more materials goals here.

What’s the deal with denim?

A staple in everybody’s wardrobe, you will struggle to find someone without at least one pair of jeans. Unfortunately, this fashion essential has a damaging impact on the planet.

boohoo Sustainability
What are we doing?

Just one pair of jeans can require up to 10,850 litres of water to produce, including growing the cotton and the intensive dyeing and treatment processes.

By 2025 all of our cotton products will be sourced using one of our more sustainable cotton options like Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) or through our partnership with CottonConnect.

Why do we use plastic packaging?

Packaging is really important to get our products to our customers in the best condition and ultimately keep products in use for longer. However, we’re aware packaging is a big concern for customers due to the plastic consumption.

What are we doing?

Like many areas of sustainability, there isn’t a simple answer. Most of our brands use plastic packaging, because it is light, flexible and requires less energy to transport. Our dispatch bags use a minimum of 80% recycled content and we will be updating our swing tags by reducing the size and removing non-recyclable finishes, saving 13,824 trees per year.

Our target is that by 2023 all our packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable and will contain over 50% recycled content. In addition to that, our new packaging team are looking at ways to optimise our packaging to use less material – which is of course the most sustainable option from a packaging and labelling perspective.

boohoo Sustainability

Why is the carbon impact of fashion so high?

Educate

Human induced climate change is the increase in average world temperatures caused by humans using oil, gas and coal for their homes, factories and transport. Burning of these fuels releases greenhouse gases. The most common one is carbon dioxide. We’re already seeing the impact of climate change with droughts, floods, tropical storms and wildfires happening more and more frequently.

Evaluate

Carbon dioxide is emitted at every step of the clothing journey including fabric production, garment manufacture, transport, washing garments and at the end of their life. The more clothes that are produced the more emissions are released.

Execute

We have set ourselves science based targets which mean that we are committed to reduce the emissions relative to our growth in line with what the scientists say we need to do to stop catastrophic and long-term effects.

In our own operations we have taken great strides like moving to renewable energy contracts in all our offices and distribution centres and even installing solar panels to produce our own electricity. But we are not stopping there...

Our biggest emissions across what is known as our ‘value chain’ come from the production of our clothes, the transport of our clothes and the energy used in marketing. These are known as hotspots and where we are focusing our efforts.

Switching the materials we use for our clothes is an important step we are taking. We’re also working with our top suppliers to understand their energy use and see how this can be reduced and switched to renewable.

What you can do to help

Check out our sustainable highlight on Instagram for hacks and more inspiring content.

Sustainability Initiatives

‘Energy-saving mode’ Switch

We’ve introduced a new switch onsite, with just one click you can reduce the energy used by the site or app.

Whether you’re on site or app, just flip the switch! On site, we'll dim the screen throughout and remove images where possible for a lighter, faster experience. On app, you will enable dark mode at all times, use images with smaller file sizes and disable certain app features!

Hire Street

Hirestreet is the UK’s leading rental service. Worry-free rental fashion. As part of boohoo’s partnership with Hire Street, Boohoo by Kourtney Kardashian selected products are available to rent on this site in a range of sizes (pieces on Hirestreet get rented 20 times on average!) This is a great option for customers that love the pieces but want to reduce their impact on the environment by renting them rather than purchasing. This means they can be worn again and again by a range of people and the impact of clothing is reduced.

Tree Nation

Together, with our reforestation partner, Tree-Nation, we’re giving you the opportunity to give back by planting a tree. Tree-Nation works globally to plant new trees. We’re proud to join forces and help make a positive impact. While this doesn't solve the problem that fashion has on the planet, it's a step in the right direction.

How it works:

Upload a photo to Instagram using the hashtag, #boohoobykourtneykardashian on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and we will plant a tree.

The Boohoo Care Kit

boohoo Sustainability
In collaboration with Global Fashion Exchange and its founder, Patrick Duffy.

Did you know that every piece of clothing we have in our wardrobe has an environmental impact? Whether it be in the production and dyeing of the fabric, transport, washing or at the end of its useful life.

So buy the pieces you love and wear them again and again, look after them carefully and when you don’t love them anymore think about re-selling them, sharing them or swapping them.

This kit is designed to help you look after your clothes so they keep looking fabulous for longer!

Wash less

Washing clothes in a machine uses energy and can damage the clothes so ask yourself…does this really need a wash?!

Sometimes clothing just needs some air-time, rather than a full wash. Hang near an open window or outside to get some freshness so you can go longer between washes.

Global Fashion Exchange founder Patrick Duffy also recommends making your own refresher spray to give the piece a pick me up. You can Mix one part vodka or alcoholic wtchhazel with three parts distilled water in a spray bottle and you’ve got it! The vodka works as a germ and odor eliminator! Avoid using this on darker colours because they are prone to fading and never use this spray on leather. Tip: Add a touch of essential oil like Lavender or Lemon for a hint of freshness.

We recommend testing before spraying onto the desired fabric, just to be sure you like how they smell.

PS if you are not yet 18 this one is not for you!

Ditch the dryer

Tumble dryers use lots of energy and dry cleaning involves some harsh chemicals, so it’s best to reduce the use of both of these drying methods as much as possible. Tumble dryers can also damage clothes and we’d be lying if we said we haven’t all had a jumper that’s shrunk before!

If you do need to use a dryer, we recommend using it for a few minutes only and at a low temperature to reduce wrinkling of your clothes and to use less energy. Then put the clothes on hangers to let them completely dry.

Also, unless a garment says ‘dry clean only’ you can probably wash it at home by hand. This will save money and extend the life of the garment - a win win!

To dry a garment properly (without a dryer):

  • Squeeze the excess water out gently.
  • Then pull the garment into shape.
  • Always dry knits on a flat surface and other fabrics on hangers to let them dry.
  • Avoid direct sunlight during drying, as this may fade the colors.
Washing tips

The biggest tip we can offer… Check the care label!

Yes, we know this one seems obvious, but when you’re rushing to put a wash on it can definitely slip your mind. Always read the care label attached to the garment. However, you have to interpret it correctly and know what the different laundry symbols mean. Not 100% sure? A quick google will bring up loads of handy guides that explain all the symbols!

Washing machines

  • Check the care label before machine washing to check its suitable
  • Select a lower temperature and a slower spin cycle where possible – lower temperature is better for your clothes!

Hand washing

  • Always hand wash at low temperatures (30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit max.).
  • Wash colours separately to avoid bleeding, especially if it’s the first wash.
  • Use a washing agent suitable for the garment. Don’t use too much detergent, especially for knitwear.
  • Let the garment soak for up to 20 minutes, depending on how much you think it needs to become fresh and clean
  • Rinse thoroughly, with a slightly squeezing motion. Don’t ever wring out delicates or knitwear!

Spot cleaning

  • A full wash can age your clothes' fabrics faster, so why not try a spot clean instead?
  • If there’s a stain or something else that needs your attention, lightly rub in a gentle washing agent to remove it, rinse (this part of the garment) and pat dry with a clean cloth.
Trap those microfibres

When you wash clothes tiny microfibres are released. Most worrying is synthetic microfibres that are shed from materials like polyester.Polyester is the most widely used fibre in the clothing industry because it is really versatile, doesn’t wrinkle much and dries quickly. However, polyester is derived from crude oil and relies on a lot of energy to produce it. Additionally, as it is derived from plastic it takes many many years to break down.

Filters on your washing machine don’t catch most microfibres. They are just too tiny. However if you are washing synthetics you can invest in a guppy bag (See link on our site to get one!) that can help filter these out from your waste water.

Guppy friend – mesh bag to keep the microfibres inside. Place your synthetic clothing in the bag and then throw the bag into the wash. It reduces shedding by 79% (for partly synthetic blends) and up to 86% (for completely synthetic garments).

How to iron and/or Steam like a pro

We all know it - creased clothes never look good. Take a few minutes and iron or steam your garments. It’s worth it. But make sure you choose the right temperature and be very careful.

Steaming is a bit more of a gentle option, but if you choose to iron we recommend using a cloth in between to put less stress on the piece of clothing.

Fix It Fast

Head over to @boohoo on Instagram to see some tutorial videos of key tips everyone should know on how to repair their clothes! From sewing on a button, to repairing a fastening loop.

Swap + Save

The fashion industry creates more greenhouse gasses than aviation and shipping combined,we want every item of clothing to last as long as possible. One of the best ways to lower your shopping impact on the planet is to SWAP your clothing for new-to-you items. When you are ready to let go of those items you love, SWAP them. If you don't want or need an item anymore you can give it a new life by contributing the item to a swap party that you and your friends can host!

Check out our swap tool kit here to host your very own!

Organize and Optimize

Organizing your wardrobe will help you make better choices when it comes to bringing more clothing into your life. Whether it’s by item of clothing, style, color, season, you’ll be surprised at what you might find when you get started. There’ll be pieces you haven’t worn for years or ones you rediscover you thought you had lost.

Organise Your Wardrobe in 5 Steps

  1. Look in your wardrobe and think honestly, when was the last time I wore that? Take time to declutter and cut down but do not throw away! Create a few piles, bits to share, swap or sell on!
  2. Check for any pieces that need repairs or a bit more care. Not sure how to fix them? Head to our social for our tips on mending and repair to help you get there.
  3. Look at the space you have in your wardrobe and plan how best to utilise the space you have, you don’t want to forget about those pieces you’ve just re-discovered!
  4. To take it to the next level, add some new elements to your wardrobe to divide out your items so you can see them better. This could include putting in some shelves for your jumpers, or placing shoe racks for your fave trainers.
  5. Last but definitely not least, keep your wardrobe organised! It’s so easy to forget what you have, so put some time aside weekly to keep things in order. This way you always know what’s in your wardrobe.
More Wear = More Care

Did you know the more you wear your clothing, the more good you are doing for the planet? The average number of times we wear items is shockingly low. We need to change that. Solution? Wear more, care more! Rewearing your items more reduces your CO2 emissions and waste, so make sure to wear as much as possible!

We know how much happiness and confidence clothes can bring, but we also know the environmental impact producing every single piece has. It’s so important to love and take care of the clothes you have to get as much life out of them as possible. OUR CLOTHES ARE TO BE LOVED AND TO BE LIVED IN…

Consume with Consideration

Coming Soon

There is so much work to be done with the fashion world and sustainability. We’re going to be open, upfront, and frank on the progress we are making with transparency throughout the journey.

We know there are problems and we are actively looking for solutions, but we want to ensure we approach these with all the knowledge, resources and information needed to enact change in the right way.

We’ll keep you in the know along the way - stay tuned for more about what we are doing.

Shop the range.

Join us on the journey, it’s a work in progress.