LP_WeCareForPlanet

1 WeCare
For our planet

FIND OUT MORE

DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
WHILE REDUCING OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Changing the way we produce, constantly innovating to develop new manufacturing procedures: We are undertaking numerous initiatives to reduce our impact on the environment.

Today, more than 50% of our products are eco-friendly. Our goal for 2025 is 80%.

Find out about all the initiatives we are putting in place

KNOW-HOW
& INNOVATION

PLASTIC
& WASTE

SECOND LIFE
& CIRCULAR ECONOMY

KNOW-HOW
& INNOVATIONS

There are many ways of innovating to reverse the trend concerning the climate, biodiversity and the fight against pollution of the oceans.

ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS

Materials certified by independent international labels such as GOTS or GRS, in the case of organic materials, or GRC and RCS for recycled ones, find out about the eco-friendly materials we use to create our collections.

“FOR “WECARE” CERTIFICATION,
OUR PRODUCTS MUST MEET AT LEAST
ONE OF THE FIVE CRITERIA DEFINED
BY OUR CSR POLICY.”

1

The product contains at least

50%

eco-friendly fibers, or all of its main material is upcycled.

2

The product benefits from a

TECHNOLOGICAL
INNOVATION

that reduces its environmental impact (such as waterless dyes, plant dyes, etc.)

3

Fair trade products certified by

LABELS

like Fair TradeCertified™ or Max Havelaar®

4

The end-of-life of the product is taken into account in order to support the

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

5

The product is made in

France

All WECARE products must comply with the basic rules established by the brand:

QUALITY AND FUNCTIONALITY

WeCare products must not deviate from the Group's Quality rules, which are set out in our specifications.

USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS

The Group has established specifications listing all the chemical substances that are prohibited in the manufacturing process.

USE OF ANIMAL MATERIALS

Our animal welfare policy defines prohibited materials or processes (fur, etc.).

COLORING TECHNIQUES

In addition to eco-friendly materials, we are also innovating in order to offer new processes that have a reduced impact on the environment, in particular by requiring less water.

WATERLESS COLORING

This technique consists of solid coloring without the use of water thanks to an innovative digital technology. This makes a 99% reduction in water consumption possible during the process, with a saving of 150l of water/kg of colored material.

WATERLESS DYEING (DOPE DYE)

A dyeing technique where the yarn is colored directly through the addition of insoluble pigments. It saves more than 90% of water compared to a traditional process.

PLANT DYE

Plant dye uses dyes from 100% natural pigments, plant extracts such as leaves, fruits, wood, etc. and without any added chemical substance.

THE LATEST INNOVATIONS

LINEN LACE

An inexhaustible source of inspiration, our creative teams are constantly giving lace a fresh twist. Our lingerie now uses linen fiber, which is known for its low impact on the environment. Produced from GMO-free crops grown in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, European Flax is soil-friendly and does not require irrigation.

PERIOD-PROOF BRIEFS

Savings for you and the planet. In 2021, Etam launched its period-proof briefs: a responsible alternative to tampons and sanitary napkins. They are washable and eco-designed and replace disposable types of protection that generate tons of waste every year. They are mostly made of recycled polyamide and organic cotton.

UP TO 12 HOURS OF ABSORPTION

TWO TYPES OF FLOW

WASHABLE AND ECO-DESIGNED

BRIEFS FROM XS TO XL

EASY TO MAINTAIN

KNOW-HOW & MADE IN FRANCE

For over 95 years, the brand has had a research and innovation center based in the North of France, in Marcq en Baroeul. This industrial asset is a wellspring of creativity and expertise, with a century’s worth of know-how. This is where products at the developmental stage are perfected: study of materials, measurements, cutting, assembly, finalization, etc. In 2021, the Etam tech center has produced six "Made in France" collections. Collector's edition: historic flagship models from the last century have been reissued in their original form to celebrate French corsetry know-how.

PLASTIC
& WASTE

Because reducing our impact also means limiting our waste
and sorting it, we have adopted specific measures.

REDUCTION OF PLASTICS

We are committed to reducing the impact of all our packaging by reducing its use and eliminating all single-use plastic components.

1

Our online order pouches have been replaced with

RECYCLED KRAFT

pouches

2

Our in-store bags are made from

FSC MIXED CERTIFIED

paper from sustainably managed forests

3

Part of the

HANGERS

used for transportation

IN CONCRETE TERMS,
THIS AMOUNTS TO A 130 TONNE
REDUCTION IN PLASTIC.

WASTE REDUCTION

All of our in-store bags are payable. They are no longer systematically given out at the checkout, and we have seen a significant reduction in their use, which already amounts a saving of 400 tons of paper. Customers can buy our reusable organic cotton totes bags.

WASTE RECYCLING

In addition to reducing the impact of plastic and cardboard waste, we are implementing initiatives to recycle as much as possible.

Today,

87%

of the waste from our warehouses is recycled.

Since

2019

all wooden pallets have been recovered by suppliers for reuse or recycling.

45 TONS

per year: This is the amount of PVC removed from our in-store communication materials.

Since

2021

all the plain paper used has been switched to FSC certified paper.

TRANSITION TOWARDS
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING

Reducing the environmental footprint of our packaging by improving its design. The primary function of packaging is to protect products during transportation. We have removed all plastic packaging and replaced it with more responsible materials. To combat deforestation, Etam has been committed to Canopy since 2020. The aim is to protect the world's forests when sourcing paper, cardboard and viscose, and to provide next generation alternatives.

Find out more

SECOND LIFE
& CIRCULAR ECONOMY

SMALL ACTIONS
BIG SUPPORT

519 containers installed
•
In five countries
•
44,000 SG collected
•
3/4 in good condition

In 2021, Etam launched Small Actions, Big Support. An initiative included in the brand’s WECARE program, which gives a second life to bras by helping women facing hardship.

Our customers drop off bras they no longer wear at our in-store collection bins. They are then sorted by a partner sheltered employment center (ESAT) who support the professional and social integration of people with disabilities.

Bras that are in good condition are washed and disinfected by our ESAT. They are then distributed free of charge to associations that support women facing hardship.

Bras that are in poor condition are sent to a professional end-of-life textile management company. Those that can be, will be recycled and the rest will be recovered.

UPCYCLING IN OUR COLLECTIONS

In 2021, Etam launched an upcycled capsule collection of scarves made from fabric offcuts from old collections. The result? 300 meters of upcycled fabric.

In the spring of 2020, in the midst of the COVID crisis, our Tech Center also swung into action, producing 34,000 masks from upcycled offcuts and providing tangible help during a shortage.

DEFECTIVE OR UNSOLD ITEMS

We do not destroy or throw away products that are in saleable condition. Defective products are entrusted to a service provider that specializes in the circular economy and repairs, reuses, resells or recycles them.

REDUCTION OF THE ENERGY/CO2 IMPACT

Goal: To reduce our energy impact and CO2 emissions.

In 2021, we updated our carbon footprint and put in place a precise strategic action plan concerning our CO2 reductions.

Our commitments: To reduce our Scope 3 carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and reduce our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 80% by 2030.

REDUCTION OF FREIGHT TRANSPORT IMPACT

We favor transport by sea or road, which emit less carbon. Today, 83% of our goods travel by ship.

In order to reduce the distance goods cover, we have also introduced direct flows from factories in Asia to Mexico and Thailand, thus avoiding passage through European logistics platforms.

Environmental criteria form part of our specifications when selecting our transport service providers.

REDUCING THE IMPACT OF OUR STORES

We have set ourselves the goal of reducing our energy consumption in our stores by 50% by 2030.

By sharing a good practice guide and simple actions that can be taken in the form of an energy challenge.

The goal for 2022? To reduce in-store energy consumption by 10%, that is a reduction of approximately 150,000kg of CO2.

REDUCING OUR PLANTS’ ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT (GOTS & GRS)

More than a third of our plants have certification that includes an audit of their environmental footprint (GOTS or GRS). GOTS and GRS certification allows traceability of organic and recycled materials, and ensures that each plant, from the transformation of the fiber to the finished product, limits and manages waste, consumes energy responsibly, treats wastewater, limits chemical products and recycles packaging.

ALLIANCES & PARTNERS

“FASTER ALONE, FURTHER TOGETHER.”

This is why we are signatories to the Fashion Pact.

We are working closely with many organizations towards a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry.

FASHION PACT

The Fashion Pact is a global coalition of companies in the fashion and textile industry (ready-to-wear, sport, lifestyle and luxury), including their suppliers and distributors, which are all committed to a common core of key environmental goals in three areas: stopping global warming, restoring biodiversity and protecting the oceans.

Brought about by a mission entrusted by French President Emmanuel Macron to François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kering, it was presented on August 26 2019 to the heads of state gathered at the G7 Summit in Biarritz.

Find out more

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

In September 2020, Etam Group together with Paris Good Fashion, Galeries Lafayette, Vestiaire Collective, the Eram Group, Petit Bateau, La Redoute and Who's Next initiated a public consultation on responsible fashion accessible to all on Make.org, with the aim of answering the following question: “How can we act together for more responsible fashion?”. Nearly 30,000 Etam Group customers and employees took part in the consultation.

The results of the public consultation will prove valuable and have led to 12 specific CSR commitments. More than 100,000 participants, more than 3,300 proposals and more than 450,000 votes.

RE FASHION

Founding partner of Eco TLC, recently renamed Refashion, we sit on the Board of Directors of Eco TLC and actively contribute to the work of the eco-organization. Refashion/Eco TLC is the Textile, Household linen and Footwear Industry's eco-organization. It manages the prevention of waste and management of the end-of-service life of products on behalf of the 5,000 companies placing goods onto the market.

Find out more

TEXTILE EXCHANGE

An international non-profit organization that promotes the responsible expansion of the textile industry and the production of sustainable textile materials.

Find out more

ALLIANCES & PARTNERS

“FASTER ALONE, FURTHER TOGETHER.”

This is why we are signatories to the Fashion Pact.

We are working closely with many organizations towards a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry.

FASHION PACT

The Fashion Pact is a global coalition of companies in the fashion and textile industry (ready-to-wear, sport, lifestyle and luxury), including their suppliers and distributors, which are all committed to a common core of key environmental goals in three areas: stopping global warming, restoring biodiversity and protecting the oceans.

Brought about by a mission entrusted by French President Emmanuel Macron to François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kering, it was presented on August 26 2019 to the heads of state gathered at the G7 Summit in Biarritz.

Find out more

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

In September 2020, Etam Group together with Paris Good Fashion, Galeries Lafayette, Vestiaire Collective, the Eram Group, Petit Bateau, La Redoute and Who's Next initiated a public consultation on responsible fashion accessible to all on Make.org, with the aim of answering the following question: “How can we act together for more responsible fashion?”. Nearly 30,000 Etam Group customers and employees took part in the consultation.

The results of the public consultation will prove valuable and have led to 12 specific CSR commitments. More than 100,000 participants, more than 3,300 proposals and more than 450,000 votes.

RE FASHION

Founding partner of Eco TLC, recently renamed Refashion, we sit on the Board of Directors of Eco TLC and actively contribute to the work of the eco-organization. Refashion/Eco TLC is the Textile, Household linen and Footwear Industry's eco-organization. It manages the prevention of waste and management of the end-of-service life of products on behalf of the 5,000 companies placing goods onto the market.

Find out more

TEXTILE EXCHANGE

An international non-profit organization that promotes the responsible expansion of the textile industry and the production of sustainable textile materials.

Find out more

Wecare
HOME PAGE

Find out more