Post on 07-Aug-2020
LIDL DETOXCOMMITMENT
2020 Report
Contents
1. Strategy&Milestones1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 31.2 Strategy .......................................................................................................................................... 31.3 Milestones ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2. 2019Progress2.1. Ourapproach ................................................................................................................................ 52.2 Environmentalstewardship ........................................................................................................ 62.3 Supplychainmanagement ........................................................................................................102.4 Training&capacitybuilding ......................................................................................................112.5 Partnerships ..................................................................................................................................122.6 Systemicchange ..........................................................................................................................122.7 Sustainableconsumption ..........................................................................................................15
3. Summary&Outlook3.1 Whatwesetouttoachieve .......................................................................................................163.2 What’snext?..................................................................................................................................16
Images&charts
Figure1:DetoxComplianceRoadmap2015–2020 ....................................................................... 4Figure2:CorporateDueDiligenceProcess ................................................................................... 5Figure3:TheFourPillarsofEnvironmentalManagement .......................................................... 6Figure4:The11PriorityGroupsofHazardousChemicals ............................................................7Figure5:WastewaterFindingsforFactoriesTestedin2018and2019 ...................................... 8Figure6:ImpactinNumbers.............................................................................................................11Figure7:BiodegradableTextilesatLidl ......................................................................................... 13
Abbreviationsexplained
AP–AlkylphenolsAPEO–AlkylphenolEthoxylatesC2C–CradletoCradleCSR–CorporateSocialResponsibilityDMF/DMFA–DimethylformamideGIZ–(GermanCorporationforInternationalCooperation)GOTS–GlobalOrganicTextileStandardGRS–GlobalRecyclingStandardIPE–InstituteofPublicandEnvironmentalAffairsKPI–KeyPerformanceIndicatorMRSL/RSL–ManufacturingRestrictedSubstancesList/RestrictedSubstancesListPFC–PerfluorinatedChemicalsPU–PolyurethanePURE–ProjectforEnvironmentalandResourceEfficiencyPVC–PolyvinylChlorideSCCP–Short-ChainedChlorinatedParaffinsVOC–VolatileOrganicCompoundsZDHC–ZeroDischargeofHazardousChemicals
Releasedate:June2020
Contents
2 LidlDetoxCommitment2020 Report
1. Strategy and Milestones
In2014,LidlbecamethefirstfoodretailertojoinGreenpeace’sDetoxCampaign. Throughthiscampaignwecommittedtoworkingtowardstheremovalofpotentiallyharmfulsubstancesfromourtextileandshoemanufacturingprocesses.Sixyearson,wearepleasedtoreportthatwearenowsuccessfullyavoidinghazardouschemicalsinourproductionprocesses,significantlyreducingpollutionandprotectingbothpeopleand theenvironment.
ThisreportprovidesanupdateonourDetoxCommitments,spanningresponsibleproduction,systemicchangeandsustainableconsumption.Wearereflectingonthekeymilestonesachievedbetween2019and2020,aswellasprovidinganoutlookonhow wewillcontinuetoupholdourcommitmentsandfurtherdeveloptheDetoxstrategyinthe yearsahead.
1.1Introduction
Fromprotectingtheenvironmenttoupholdinghumanrights,securingasustainablefutureremainsacomplexchallenge.Asoneofthelargestretailcompaniesintheworld,werecognisethatweplayakeyroleintacklingtheseglobalissuesandsupportingsustainableimprovements,whilstalsounderstandingtheimportanceofclosecollaborationwithothers,includingexpertpartners,toensureourproductscomefromresponsibleandsustainablesourcesforthelongterm.
InordertodefinewhatsustainabilitymeanstoLidl,weconductedastrategicanalysisofourvisionandmissiontopinpointthepriorityissuesthatwecanmeasure,monitorandmanageovertheshort,mediumandlongterm.
ThepriorityissueswithinLidl’ssustainablesourcingstrategyare:
• Climatechange• Waterconsumptionandcontamination• Circulareconomy• Humanrights• Rawmaterials• Biodiversity• Responsibly-manufacturedproducts
TheLidlDetoxCommitmentencompassesalloftheaboveissues.
Ouraimistocompletelyeliminateall11chemicalgroupsdefinedbyGreenpeaceasparticularlyharmfulinthemanufactureoftextilesandshoesfromtheproductionofourownbrandproductsby2020,replacingthemwithnon-harmfulsubstanceswherenecessary.Indoingso,weseektopromotebettersocialandenvironmentalproductionconditionsinthetextileandshoeindustry.
Lidl’sDetoxCommitment:
• Toeliminatepotentiallyharmfulchemicals• Toreducewastewatercontamination• Toreducepollutionaffectingpeopleandimpactingtheenvironment
Bychampioningsafe,environmentallyresponsibleproductionmethodsinoursupplychains,weaimtosupportwidersystemicchange.Byswitchingtomorerecyclablematerials,wearehelpingtocreateacirculareconomyandbyinvestinginecological,resource-efficientfibreinnovation,wearesupportingmoresustainableconsumption.
Ourapproachisguidedbytheprinciplesofcredibility,feasibility,risk-basedapproaches,andeffectiveness.
1.2Strategy
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1. Strategy and Milestones
1.3 Milestones
2015 2016 2017 2019 20202018• Frameworkagreementsrefined• MRSL/RSLpublished• OnlyZDHC-compliantchemicalsare
acceptedfororders• Casestudyoneliminatingphthalates
published• Casestudyoneliminating
perfluorinatedchemicals• (PFCs)published• BIONIC-FINISH®ECOcoating
replacePFCs
DetoxComplianceRoadmap2015-2020SincebecomingthefirstfoodretailertosigntheGreenpeaceDetoxCommitmentin2014,wehavecomealongway.OurDetoxComplianceRoadmapshowssomeofthemilestonesthatweachievedbetween2015and2020.
• FrameworkagreementsfurtherrefinedtoeliminateAPEOs
• CasestudyoneliminatingDMFAinpolyurethane(artificialleather)published
• WinnerofFairtrade‘RetaileroftheYear’award
• 600+own-brandtextilesandshoeproductionfacilitiesdisclosed
• FirstfullybiodegradableprintingpastefortextilesdevelopedtoCradletoCradleCertified™Goldstandard
• Cradle-to-Cradletextilecollectionlaunchedwithshirts,sleepwearandbedding
• GreenButtontestingprocesscompleted
• ProductslabelledwiththeGreenButtonandCottonMadeinAfricacertificationarriveinstores
• PUREtrainingcoursesformorethan400employeesfrom80manufacturingsitesinChinaandBangladesh,benefittingapproximately150,000employees
• STeP-by-OEKO-TEXcertificationintroducedfortier1suppliers(wetprocessing)
• GlobalOrganicTextileStandard(GOTS)certifiedtextileassortmentexpanded
• EcoVero™adoptedasamoreenvironmentally-friendlyfibre
Figure 1: Detox Compliance Roadmap 2015–2020
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2. 2019 Progress
AsystematicmanagementapproachiscriticaltoimplementingourCSRstrategyconsistentlyacrossourglobalbusiness.Thisbeginswithanalysingpotentialrisksrelatingtohumanrightsinfringementsandenvironmentalharm,bothwithinourbusinessprocessesandinthemanufacturingofown-brandproducts.Inunderstandingtheserisks,wecanimplementmeasuresalongsideoursupplychainpartners.
FurtherdetailonthisapproachissetoutinourHumanRightsandEnvironmentalDueDiligencePolicy.
2.1Ourapproach
Figure 2: Corporate Due Diligence Process Resolve
1.Identifyrisksandopportunities• Riskassesssupplychain• Identifyrisksandopportunities• Assessimpactsandorganisationalopportunities
2.Definerequirementsandprocesses• Reporttransparentlyonprogressandlearningstointernaland
externalstakeholders
3.Implementandreviewactions• Monitorandimproverequirementsandprocesses• Eliminate,reduceandavoidnegativeimpacts• Provideaccesstoeffectivegrievancemechanismsandmake
amendsforinfringements
4.Monitorandimprove• Defineclearrequirements,goalsandobjectives• Establishauditableprocesses• Allocaterolesandresponsibilities
5.Communicate• Implementactivitiesandinterventionsinthesupplychain• Audit,assessanddevelopthesupplychain• Engagewithstakeholders
Corporatedue diligenceprocess
1.Identifyrisks andopportunities
2.Define requirements andprocesses
5.Communicate
3.Implement andreview actions
4.Monitor andimprove
Ongoing dialogue with our stakeholders
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2. 2019 Progress
AtLidl,weselltextilesandfootwearthroughoutourstoresglobally.Itisthereforeimportantthatwecontinuetoworktowardsourgoaltocreatesafer,moreenvironmentally-friendlymanufacturingprocessesalongourtextilesupplychain.
Weregularlymonitorandauditsuppliersforchemicaluseandwaterquality.Inaddition,wehaveproducedahandbookthatoutlinesaclearandpragmaticapplicationofourpolicies,processesandprocedures.Ourtier1‘wetprocessing’suppliersthatareresponsibleforthedyeingandwashingofgarmentsarerequiredtosharethehandbookwithdownstreamsuppliers(tier2).Bycascadingtheserequirements,workersareengagedandempoweredtoadoptsafe,responsiblepractices.
Fourpillarsofenvironmentalmanagement
ChemicalmanagementThegarmentsectorisoneofthelargestconsumersofchemicalsintheworld.Whetherinthedyeingandfinishingorprintingandwashing–chemicalsareubiquitousthroughouttheproductionprocess.ThroughourLidlDetoxCommitment,wewanttocounteractthepotentiallyhazardouseffectstobothpeopleandtheenvironment.Wehavearangeofpolicies,processesandproceduresinplacetosupportsuppliersintheproperuse,storageanddisposalofchemicals.
Ourgoals:
• Toprotectthehealthofemployeesandensuretheirsafety• Topreventwatercontamination• Toavoidwaste• Toadheretostatutoryregulations,aswellasLidlrequirements
ChemicalrequirementsAswellasstringentlyprohibitingtheuseanddisposalof11harmfulchemicalgroups,ourChemicalRequirementsstatethateverychemicalusedinproductmanufacturingonbehalfofLidlmustmeetatleast oneofthefollowingstandards:
1. LidlMRSLorRSL2. bluesign®APPROVEDchemicalproducts3. ZDHC MRSL4. GOTSpositivelist5. ECO PASSPORT6. GreenScreenCertified™
“By taking a proactiveapproach, we are able to optimise chemical management in partnership with suppliers and systematically eliminate all harmful chemicals.”
2.2Environmentalstewardship
Chemicalmanagement
Efficientuseofresources
Wasteandwastewater
Managementsystem
Industrialhealthandsafety
1 2 3 4
Figure 3: The Four Pillars of Environmental Management
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2.2.1 RESTRICTED SUBSTANCESSince2015ourManufacturingRestrictedSubstancesList(MRSL)andRestrictedSubstancesList(RSL)haveappliedtoallcommercialagreementsbetweenLidlandourtextile andshoesuppliers.Theyarereviewedannuallyandupdatedasrequired.
2.2.2 WASTEWATER TESTINGAssessingtheeffectivenessofchemicalmanagementwithinawetprocessingfacilityrequireswastewaterandsludgetesting.Theseareconductedannuallybyindependentexpertstomonitorharmfulsubstances.Inaddition,thefacility’schemicalinventoryisinspectedperiodically.AspartofourDetoxCommitment,weaimforthehighestlevelsoftransparencywhendisclosingchemicalfindingsinoursupplychain.Since2015,allsuppliersundergoingtestinghavebeenrequiredtouploadresultstotheIPE.orgdatabase.
Resultsin2019Outofour79wetprocessingsuppliers,testswereconductedat21facilitiesin2019,withatotalof89samplestaken.Wesaw100%positiveresultsforsupplyandpre-supplywatersamplesand96%forpost-treatmentandsludgesamples.Wealsorecordedtheeliminationofnineoutofthe11toxicchemicalgroups(fivefullyeliminatedandfouralmost-fullyeliminated).
Detailedfindingsalsoincluded:
• Nophthalates,flameretardants,azodyes,perfluorinatedchemicalsorchlorobenzeneswerefoundinchemicalanalyses.
• AP/APEOs,organotincompounds,chlorophenolsandshort-chainedchlorinatedparaffinswerepresentbuteliminatedinmorethan90%ofthefactoriestested.
• Chlorinatedsolventsweredetectedinthewastewaterof15%offactories• Heavymetalswereidentifiedinthewastewaterof78%offactories.Whilethis
representsa19%reductionsince2015,thereisclearlymoreworktodotoeliminateheavymetals.
AspartofourDetoxCommitment,wehavecommittedourselvestoremovingthefollowing11prioritygroupsofhazardouschemicalsfromoursupplychain: 1. Alkylphenolethoxylates(AP/
APEO)2. Phthalates3. Brominatedandchlorinated
flameretardants4. Azodyes5. Organotincompounds6. Perfluorinatedchemicals(PFC)7. Chlorobenzenes8. Chlorinatedsolvents9. Chlorophenols10. Short-chainchlorinated
paraffins(SCCP)11. Heavymetals:cadmium,lead,
quicksilverandchrome(VI)
2.2Environmentalstewardship
Figure 4: The 11 Priority Groups of Detox Chemicals
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ChlorinatedsolventsWhilechlorinatedsolventshadbeeneliminatedfrombothfreshandwastewatersamplesatourBangladeshsupplyfactoriesin2019,inChinatheywerefoundin23%offreshwatersamplesand15%ofwastewatersamplesamongoursuppliers.ThesesolventsremainachallengeinChinaastheyremainprevalentinwatersupplies.
Heavymetals–aglobalchallengeHeavymetalsweredetectedinfreshwater,wastewaterandsludgesamplesineachmanufacturingcountry.Theywerealsofoundinthesupplywaterat86%ofsites.
ChemicalsinthewatersupplyEightofthe11prioritygroupsofhazardouschemicalsintheDetoxcampaignwerealreadypresentinthewatersupply.
• Chlorobenzenes(1%ofsamples),phthalates(3%),organotincompounds(5%)andPFCs(15%)werefoundinthewatersupplyinasmallnumberofthefactories.
• Injustunderaquarterofthefactories(23%),chlorinatedsolventswerefoundinthewatersupply.
• Injustunderhalfthefactories(47%),flameretardantsweredetected.
• Andheavymetalsweredetectedinmostofthefactories(86%).
WastewatertreatmentOuranalysisoffreshwater,wastewaterandsludgerevealedthatwastewatertreatmentdoesnotcompletelypurifywater.Ifchemicalsarealreadypresentinthewatersupply,residuescanremainaftertreatment.Thisappliesprimarilytoheavymetalsandchlorinatedsolvents.
SupplychaintransparencyLidlcommittedtoestablishingthehighestleveloftransparencypossibleregardingsupplychainchemicalconsumption.Forthisreason,allsuppliershavebeenrequiredtouploadtheresultsofwastewaterteststothewwwen.ipe.org.cndatabasesince2015.
WastewatertestWastewaterresultsintestedfactoriesin2018and2019,in%
2018 2019
2.2Environmentalstewardship
AP/APEOs
Phthalates
Flameretardants
Azodyes
Organotincompounds
PFCs
Chlorobenzenes
Chlorinatedsolvents
Chlorophenols
SCCPs
Heavym
etals
2 2 2 4
0 0
87
51 1
78
2
48
3 3
36
13
7
15
2
51
Figure 5: Wastewater Findings for Factories Tested in 2018 and 2019
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2.2.3ALTERNATIVESTOHARMFULCHEMICALSIncollaborationwithchemicalmanufacturersandresearchinstitutions,aswellasourproductionpartners,wearecontinuallytestingtechnologiesthatcouldreplacetheuseofcertainchemicalsintextileproduction.Overtheyears,wehavesharedourfindingsinanumberofcasestudies.
2.2Environmentalstewardship
Textile with BIONIC-FINISH® ECO Cradle-to-Cradle hooded sweatshirt
Water-basedprintingWater-basedprintingpasteshavebeenprovenasasuccessfulecologicalalternativetosolvent-basedpastesthatcontainphthalatesandPVC.In2016,wecommissionedtestingofwater-basedprintingforourUEFAT-shirtcollection.WorkingwiththeCHTGroup,EPEAGmbHandtheBeneficialDesignInstitute,afullybiodegradableprintingpastewasformulated,whichwehavesharedwithothermanufacturersofourown-brandproducts.Italsofeaturesinour2019CradletoCradleCertified™Goldcollection.
PFC-freewaterproofsWaterproofclothingsuchasjackets,skiwearandchildren’strousershavetraditionallyusedperfluorinatedcompounds(PFCs)toachieveawaterandoil-repellentfinish.Attheendofagarment’slife,PFCstakealongtimetobreakdownandcanbeharmfultotheenvironmentandhumanhealth.Since2012,LidlhasbeenreplacingPFCswithBIONIC-FINISH®ECO fluorine-freetechnologyinourtextiles.
ArtificialleatherwithoutDMFFrequentlyfoundinPUleather,dimethylformamide(DMF)carrieshealthrisks.Itisalsoresource-intensiveandpolluting.WhileexploringwaystoeliminateDMFfromthesupplychain,LidlcameacrossINSQIN®technology,whichenablesartificialleathertobemanufacturednotonlywithoutDMFbutalsoorganicsolvents.Theprocessrequires50%lessenergyand95%lesswater.Inadditiontothis,wearepermanentlytestingnewtechnologiesandcheckingwhethertheymeetourqualityandsustainabilityrequirements.
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2. 2019 Progress
“We want to empower our supply chain partners to continually develop their environmental safety measures. In doing so, they can reduce negative impacts on the environment and conserve resources.”
2.3SupplychainmanagementWerecognisetheimportantrolewecanplayasamajorglobalretailer,incatalysingchangethroughoutoursupplychain.
Likemanyapparelretailers,around80%ofourown-brandsupplycomesfromBangladeshandChina.Wethereforefocusoureffortsonsupportingsuppliersinthesecountries,payingparticularattentiontowetprocessingsites,asdyeingandwashingprocessescausethegreatestenvironmentalimpact.
2.3.1ENVIRONMENTALAUDITSAtLidl,wehavedevelopedourownmonitoringsystemforown-brandtextilemanufacturers.Since2018,alldirectandvertically-integratedwetprocessingfacilitieshavebeenrequiredtobecomecertifiedtoSTePbyOEKO-TEX®certificationsystem.In2019,approximately50%ofsuppliershadachievedthis.
Forwetprocessingoperationsfurtherdownthesupplychain(tier2suppliers),wepartnerwithaccreditedcertification
expertstoconductindependent,unannouncedinspectionstoassessenvironmentalandchemicalmanagement,pollutionandwastewatertreatment.In2019,52,tier2environmentalaudits wereconducted,representing96%offactories(comparedtojust19%in2018).Commonfindingsrelatedto‘permissionandlicense’(77%)andwastewatermanagement(62%).Eachplantreceivesacorrectiveactionplan(CAP)andexpertpartnerswillhelptoimplementthesemeasures.Iftheyremainnon-compliant,Lidlisentitledtocancelanyorder.
Focusontier2suppliers52environmentalauditswerecarriedoutinthereportingperiodandcriticalfindingswerereportedinhalfofthefactoriesaudited. Whyisthis?AlthoughLidlhasrequireditsverticallyintegratedwetprocessingfacilities(tier1suppliers)tobeSTePbyOEKO-TEX®certifiedsince2018,auditssince2019haveturnedtheirattentiontosuppliersfurtherdownthesupplychain(tier2).Thesedidn’tfarequiteaswellincomparison.96%oftier2factorieswereauditedin2019(comparedto19%in2018).Themostfrequentshortcomingswerecriticalissuesrelatingto‘permissionsandlicences’(77%)andwastewatermanagement(62%).
2.3.2 PRODUCTION DISCLOSURELidlismakingitssupplychainmoretransparent.Since2017,wehavedisclosedourmainproductionsitesfortextileandfootwearmanufacturing.Updatedeverysixmonths,the list includesthenames,addressesandcountriesandin2019,comprisedof570facilities.ThefocusareasforourDetoxCommitment,hasbeenwith79directandvertically-integratedwetprocessingfacilities,primarilyinBangladesh,Pakistan,China,IndiaandTurkey.
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“Achieving sustainable practices requires behavioural change. That is why training measures for safer chemical handling and conserving energy are just as important as establishing technical processes.”
2.4Training&capacitybuilding
2.4.1 PURETrainingoursuppliers–andenablingthemtobuildcapacityamongtheirownbusinesspartners–isfundamentaltoourpartnershipapproach.
Sincethemajorityoftheworld’stextilesareproducedinChinaandBangladesh,ouraimistobuildcapacityamongsupplierstomanageresourcesresponsiblywithregardtoourown-brandtextileproducts.Wehavedefinedthreemaingoalsforthis:
• Promotesafechemicalhandling• Reducetheuseofenergy,waterandchemicals• Improvewasteandwastewatermanagement
ConsciouslysustainableAlongsideGIZ,in2017wepilotedtheProjectforEnvironmentalandResourceEfficiency(PURE).The PUREtrainingprogrammepromotesawarenessofenvironmentalandsafetystandardsamongoursuppliersinChinaandBangladesh.Senior-levelstaffreceiveonsitetrainingdeliveredbyGIZonresponsiblechemicalmanagement(focusingonthe11high-riskchemicalgroups)sothattheycan,inturn,extendthelearningstotheirteams.Bytransferringknowledgeandsettingupanappropriatechemicalsmanagementsystem,theaimistoremovethechemicalgroupsmentionedintheLidlDetoxCommitmentfromproductionaltogetheroverthelongterm.
ProjectimpactInthepasttwoyears,morethan400managersfrom80manufacturershavecompletedPUREtrainingandsharedlearningswith148,000employees.
• 20%+energysavings• 22,728tonnesofcarbonemissionsavoidedannually• 5,877,979cubicmetersofwatersaved• 21.4millioneurossavedimplementingthesemeasures
SinceJuly2017, 80factorieshavesuccessfullycompleted thePUREprogramme.
148,000factoryworkershavenowbeenintroducedtoPURE.
Over400factoryworkersonsitehavereceivedtraininginkeyenvironmentalissues.
Energycostscanbecutbymorethan20% in individualcases.
ThankstoPURE,itispossibletosave22,728tonnesofcarbonemissionseachyear.
Factoriescanreducetheirwaterconsumptionby5,877,979cubicmetres.
Themeasureshaveenabledtotalsavingsof21,410,247eurosfortheparticipatingfactories.
Onaverage,thefactories’investmentswillpayforthemselvesinjust3years.
PURE
Figure 6: Impact in Numbers
IMPACT IN NUMBERS
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2.5Partnerships
Formanyyears,Lidlhasbeencommittedtoimprovingthelivesofpeopleworkinginitsglobalsupplychainandprotectingtheenvironmentsinwhichtheylive.Whilstmakingsignificantprogressinreducingchemicaluseinourown-brandtextileandfootwearsupplychain,werecognisetheneedtoworktogetherwiththewidersectortoachievelasting,systemicchange.
PartnershipforSustainableTextilesAsafoundingmemberofthePartnershipforSustainableTextilesin2014,wejoinedforceswithapproximately120representativesfrombusinesses,labourunions,non-governmentalorganisations(NGOs)andthegovernmenttoimprovetheconditionsofglobaltextileproductionacrossthevaluechain.
Thepartnershipstrivestoimproveconditionsinglobaltextilesupplynetworks—fromtheproductionofrawmaterialstothedisposaloftextiles.ItsapproachtothisgoalisbasedonOECDduediligenceguidance.Membersareencouragedtojoinpartnershipinitiativesinproductioncountriestofosterstructuralchangeontheground.Theyarealsorequestedtoupholdtheirindividualresponsibilityinastructured,meaningful,andtransparentmanner.Moreover,thepartnershipservesasaplatformfordialogueandlearninginthevariousissuesrelatedtothetextileproduction.
2.6Systemicchange
Wearecontinuallyinnovatinganddevelopingnewapproachestowardsmoresustainablesystemsofproductionandconsumption,fulfillingourresponsibilitytoemployees,suppliers,societyandtheenvironment.
2.6.1 CLOSING THE LOOPHighqualitygarmentsdesignedwithlongevityinmind,combinedwithconsumerreuseandrecycling,offerthepotentialforcircular,closed-loopsystemsofproductionandconsumptionintheapparelsector.TheseCradle-to-Cradleprinciplessupportawaste-freeeconomy,inwhichrawmaterialsareusedandreusedagainandagain.
Cradle-to-CradleTheCradle-to-Cradleapproachisdevelopeduponintelligentproductdesignthatallowsproductsandtheircomponentstobereusedandreusable.Italsoensuresproductmaterialsaresourcedinwaysthatarenotharmfultohumanhealthortheenvironment.Fromtextilesandconsumergoods,tocosmeticsandpackaging–therearemanydifferenttypesofproductscanattaintheCradletoCradleCertified™(C2C)productstandard.TheconceptwasdevelopedbychemistryprofessorandprocessengineerProf.MichaelBraungartandUSarchitectWilliamMcDonough.
Photo: Cradle-to-Cradle collection
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2.6SystemicchangeIn2019,welaunchedourfirstCradletoCradletextilecollectionaspartofapilotproject.Thecollectionincludedshirts,pyjamasandbeddingandtheproductswerecertifiedtoeitherCradletoCradleGoldorSilverCertified™andprintedwithfully-biodegradabledyes.Allaspectsoftheproductionwereassessedbyindependentpartners,fromresource-efficiency,waterandchemicaluse,torenewableenergyandrecyclability.Thecollectionoffersourcustomersproductsthatarekindertotheenvironmentandgentleonskin.
WhatsetsCradle-to-Cradletextilesapartisthefactthattheycanberecycled.Duringtheproduction,particularattentionwasgiventotheeffectiveuseofrawmaterials,responsiblehandlingofchemicals,watercleanlinessandtheuseofrenewableenergy.
FromsourcetosourceWithinthetextilesector,theCradle-to-Cradleprojectisjustonewayinwhichtheindustryisworkingtowardsasystemicshifttoacirculareconomy.AspartofourbroaderCSRobjectives,wecontinuetoincreasetherecycledcontentofpaper,cardboardandplasticusedinourprimarypackaging.WorkingwiththeSchwarzGroup’s360°REsetPlasticstrategy,wearealsocontinuallyincreasingtherecyclabilityofpackagingmaterials.Goingforward,weseektoscaleandreplicateCradle-to-Cradleproductsandprocesses.
Figure 7: Biodegradable Textiles at Lidl
Biodegradable textiles at Lidl CRADLE TO CRADLE CERTIFIED™ TEXTILES AT LIDL
Designedforthebiosphere–inharmonywithnature! Firstbiodegradabletextilecollectionswithprints
C2C-certifiedinGoldandSilver
Completelybiodegradable
100%compatiblewithpeople&theplanet
Madeusingrenewableenergies
Goodforhealthandtheenvironment
Allcomponentsarebiologicallyvaluable
andtested!
OurCradletoCradleCertifiedTMtextilesaredesignedtobecompletelybiodegradable–includingthedyeusedtoprintthem!
The‘CradletoCradle’conceptdescribesthevisionofa‘waste-freeeconomy’inwhichrawmaterialsarereusedinclosedcycles.CircularproductscanbecertifiedwiththeCradletoCradleTMcertifiedproductstandard.Thestandardtakesallaspectsoftheproductionprocessintoconsideration–fromtheeffectiveuseoftherawmaterialsandtheuseofchemicals,tokeepingwatercleanandtheuseofrenewableenergy.
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2.6Systemicchange
2.6.2 MORE SUSTAINABLE FIBRESCottonisthemainfibreusedinourgarmentsandwesourcearound178,000tonneseachyear.Thisisfollowedbypolyester,ofwhichwesource62,000tonnes.Despitecottonandpolyesterbeingtwoverydifferentmaterials,bothareassociatedwithvariousenvironmentalchallenges.Whethermicroplasticspollutionlinkedtopolyester,orwaterandpesticide-intensivecottoncultivation,weareworkinghardtoreduceourrelianceoncottonandpolyesterbydeployingmoresustainablealternatives.
Statusquo:Liketherestofthesector,Lidl’smostusedfibrefortextileproductioniscotton(approx.178,000tonnes),followedbypolyester(around62,000tonnes).Thenegativeimpactsofboththesefibresarewidelyknown,fromtheuseofoilasanon-renewableresourceandtheresultingmicroplasticpollutioninthecaseofpolyesterproducts,tothehighvolumesofwaterandintensiveuseofpesticidesandotherchemicalsinconventionalcottoncultivation.Toguaranteemoresustainableconsumption,Lidliskeentoidentifyalternativefibresthatmakeefficientuseofresources,orfibresthatarerecycled,recyclableand/ororganicallysourced.Thelong-termaimistoconstantlyincreasetheproportionofsuchfibresinuse.Organiccottonisoneareainwhichparticularlygoodresultshave beenachieved.
OrganiccottonIn2019,weusedapproximately11,200tonnesofGOTS-certifiedorganiccottoninourown-brandtextiles.Thisequatesto6%ofourtotalfibreusageacrossournon-foodproducts,growingfrom5%in2018.However,intheglobalmarket,organiccottonproductiononlyrelatesto0.7%ofthetotalproduced(TextileExchange,OrganicCottonMarketReport2019).Wehavemadethecommitmentthatallourcottonwillbesourcedfromsustainablesourcesby2025,includingCottonMadeinAfrica,GOTSorFairtradecertificationstandards.
PolyesteralternativesBytheendof2019,wehadreplacedallsyntheticviscoseinourown-brandtextilesrangewithEcoVero™.EcoVero™isamoreresource-efficient,wood-basedfibre,sourcedfromsustainably-managedforests.WehavealsobeenincreasingouruseofrecycledpolyesterfollowingtheGlobalRecyclingStandard(GRS)andwelookforwardtoscalingthisfurther.
Textiles made from LENZING™-ECOVERO™ fibres. Photo: Richard Ramos, Lenzing AG
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2.7SustainableconsumptionPromotingtheimportanceofmoresustainableconsumptionisakeyaspectofourenvironmentalresponsibilityacrossoursupplychain.It’scrucialthatwesharethisinformationandawarenesswithourcustomersacrossmultiplechannels,includingourwebsite,socialmedia,CSRreporting,in-storemessagingandproductlabelling.
2.7.1 PRODUCT LABELLING AND CERTIFICATIONWeworkwiththird-partycertificationschemestosupportmoresustainableminimumstandards.Theseschemeshelptoinformandeducateourcustomersonthestepswearetakingtoensurethesustainabilityofproductsthattheybuyinourstores.
FairtradeTheFairtradeLabelstandsforfairlyproducedandfairlytradedproductsthatcomplywithcertainsocial,ecological,andeconomiccriteria.FairtradecertificationensurestheproducerorganisationreceivesaFairtradeMinimumPricethatcoversthecostofsustainableproduction,andanadditionalFairtradePremiumthattheycanchoosetoinvestindevelopmentprojectsintheirlocalcommunity.WeofferarangeofFairtradeproductsandin2016,wewontheFairtradeRetaileroftheYearAward.
GlobalOrganicTextileStandard(GOTS)GOTSidentifiesexceptionallyhighecologicalandsocialstandardsintextileproduction.Onlyproductscontainingmorethan70%organically-producednaturalfibresreceivethisseal.
CradletoCradleIn2019,welaunchedourfirstCradletoCradletextilecollectionaspartofapilotproject.Thecollectionincludedshirts,pyjamasandbeddingandtheproductswerecertifiedtoeitherCradletoCradleGoldorSilverCertified™andprintedwithfully-biodegradabledyes.Allaspectsoftheproductionwereassessedbyindependentpartners,fromresource-efficiency,waterandchemicaluse,torenewableenergyandrecyclability.
Sustainabilitylabelsandcertificationsappliedin2019
• BlueAngel• CradletoCradleCertified™• EUEcolabel• Fairtrade• FurFreeRetailer• GOTS • GRS• OEKO-TEX
Inadditiontotheaforementionedlabels,wearealreadypreparingtointroduceothers:
Green ButtonIn2020,weareaimingtoadoptGermany’sFederalMinistryofEconomicCooperationandDevelopment’s(BMZ)‘GreenButton’scheme.Thisisthefirstinitiativeofitskind,wherebyasealwillfeatureonidentifiedproductsthatmeet46socialandenvironmentalcriteriaverifiedbyanindependentagency,DAkkS.WehavealreadycompletedtheapplicationprocessforGreenButtonandaimtoachieveitsstampon90productsbythemiddleoftheyear.
CottonMadeinAfricaProductscertifiedtoCottonMadeinAfricawillstartappearinginourstoresfrom2020.Thesegarmentsmustmeetstringentecological,socialandeconomiccriteriaforcottonproductionandprocessing.Revenuefromthiscertificationisreinvestedinprojectsinsub-SaharanAfricathatsupportsmall-holderfarmerstoadoptmoreenvironmentally-friendlyfarmingmethodsthroughagriculturaltrainingcourses.
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3. Summary & Outlook
3.1Overview& nextsteps
3.2What’snext?
Between2015and2020,weachievedthefollowingstepsaspartofourDetoxCommitment:
Responsibleproduction
• Establishedsaferandmoreenvironmentallyfriendly productionsystems.
• Avoidedoreliminatedall11Detoxchemicals• Introducedlistsofbannedchemicals• Conductedenvironmentalauditsandwastewatertests• ImplementedSTeP-by-OEKO-TEXcertificationasarequirement
fortier1supplierswithwetprocessingfacilities• Deliveredinformationandtrainingeventswithmanufacturers
thatdeploywetprocessesinBangladeshandChina• PublishedcasestudiesforthesubstitutionofPFCandDMFin
PUartificialleather,aswellaswater-basedprinting• Ensuredgreatertransparencyofthedownstreamtextile
supplychain• Developedandimplementedatrainingprogrammein
cooperationwiththeGIZ(GermanCorporationforInternationalCooperation)forproduction-integratedenvironmentalprotection.
Systemicchange
• Scrutinisedourprocesses,switchingtoresource-efficientmaterialsandcatalysingacirculareconomy.
• Developedaclosed-loopconcept• LaunchedaCradle-to-Cradlecollection• Recordedfibrequantitiesandimplementsolutions• Switchedtoalternativefibresthataremore
environmentally-friendly• IncreasedtheproportionofGOTS-certifiedorganiccotton
Sustainableconsumption
• Promotedthesaleofmoreinnovativeandsustainableproductsmadefromecologicaland/orrecyclablematerials.
• Providedcustomerswithclearandcredibleinformationtohelpthemmakeinformeddecisions
• Introducedsustainabilitycertificationstonon-foodproducts
AtLidlwearededicatedtocontinuousimprovement,workingtowardsbettersocialandenvironmentalproductionconditionsinthetextileandshoemanufacturingindustry.Weknowthatonlythroughcollaborationcanweexpecttoseelastingchange.WithGreenpeace’sDetoxCampaignendingthisyear,wewouldliketoexpressourgratitudetoGreenpeaceandtheotherorgani-sationsthathaveenabledustomakestridesineliminatingtheuseanddisposalofharmfulchemicalsfromourgarmentproduction.Wealsoextendthankstoouremployeesandsupplychainpart-nerswhohaveembracedourDetoxCommitmentsandwillcontin-uetoupholdthemintheyearsahead.
OngoingcommitmentsAnimportantcomponentofthiscampaignthatwillcontinuetobestrengthenedfurtherincludestheSTeP-by-OEKO-TEXcertificationwithourtier1wet-processingsuppliers.Wewillalsobebuildingonourcommitmentsbyintensifyingoureffortstoremoveharmfulchemicalsfurtherdownthesupplychain,throughourtrainingand
widerengagementprogrammesthatreachourtier2manufacturingsites.Finally,weplantoexpandtheCradle-to-Cradlemodeltomoreproductsaswecontinuetoworkwithotherstoenablesystemicshiftstowardscircularsystemsofproductionandconsumption.
WorkingtowardsasustainablefutureAlthoughthiscampaignhasreacheditsconclusion,theworkre-mainsongoingandthespiritofcollaborationismoreimportantthanever.ThisreporthasdisclosedourongoinggoalsandhowtheywillremainanintegralpartofourCSRagendatoprotectbothhumanrightsandtheenvironmentacrossourglobalsupplychain.
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