Planet Impact
Planet
We know that as a fashion brand, we have a big responsibility to look after our planet. By 2025 we will reduce our energy usage and move to renewable energy sources across our business. We will also be carbon neutral, reducing our emissions and offsetting our remaining carbon by planting trees. Conscious of the resources that we use, we will eliminate single use plastic and increase our recycling rates, making sure that nothing ends up in landfill.
To do our best to protect where we play - and do so much more - we’re focusing on four different areas;
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1
Reducing the impact of our packaging.
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2
Using renewable energy to power head office and all UK stores.
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3
Reducing sending waste to landfill.
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4
Reducing CO2 emissions.
In the Last 12 Months
We launched our ground-breaking 75-year partnership with the National Forest; a celebration of our long-term commitment to sustainability, supporting our goal to be carbon neutral.
100% of the electricity powering our head office and UK stores now comes from renewable sources.
We no longer use bubble wrap to pack our online orders and have switched to fully recyclable ‘hexwrap’ paper.
All of the paper for our store carrier bags and catalogues is either recycled or responsibly sourced.
Our Packaging
In the most recent Plastic Waste report published in March 2022, the UK Government continues to estimate that 5 million tonnes of plastic are used each year, of which nearly half is comprised of packaging.
Plastic waste can last for hundreds of years in landfill sites, or it litters the natural environment and harms ecosystems. At FatFace, we're determined to be part of the solution, which is why we aim to eliminate Single-Use Plastic by 2025, and we continue to work hard to achieve this.
What we have done so far
Our overall ambition is to reduce the amount of the packaging we use. Some packaging is unavoidable and in this case we try to look for the least impactful option possible, often replacing traditional plastic with more responsible alternatives.
E-commerce Delivery Bags
are made from 95% recycled materials, with up to 30% of our own plastic waste, and 100% recyclable
Our Garment Polybags
are made with 100% recycled plastic and are recyclable
Sock Hanging Hooks
have been removed and we’re now using integrated hooks on the paper label
Sock Plastic ‘Kimble’
that holds the socks together has been replaced with a stitch
Our Product Care Labels
are made from recycled materials
Our Swing Tags
are made from recycled paper, recycled poly cord, and attached with a reusable metal safety pin
Paper Tape
has replaced plastic tape
Hex Wrap
has replaced bubble wrap
We know that we are on a journey here and are continuing to explore more responsible alternatives; in the next 12 months we will be trialling compostable poly bags, a closed loop poly bag solution, and alternatives to our online mailer bags.
Working Towards Carbon Neutrality
In the prior financial year ending 31st May 2021, we were proud to say that we were carbon neutral, offsetting our carbon footprint through two offset projects. We have done the same this year to be carbon neutral for two years running.
We’re working with the environmental consultancy Sustainable Advantage and South Pole to guide us and facilitate our carbon offsetting initiative.
Using Renewable Energy
After two years of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re looking to rebase our energy usage in a more ‘normal’ year. FatFace continues to get all its electricity from renewable sources, every unit purchased comes with its own Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificate. Whilst this is slightly more expensive than conventional fossil fuel sourced electricity, we believe that this is a price worth paying. This means that there are no associated carbon emissions from our electricity usage.
Reducing Waste To Landfill
We’re committed to recycling or diverting all our waste from landfill by 2025. The overall objective is to decrease the volume of waste generated in the first instance, and where waste is generated, to reuse as much as possible. Where waste generation is unavoidable, we’re committed to disposing of it in the most environmentally friendly manner.
We’re pleased to report that our recycling rate has risen from 52% last year (2021) to 63% this year (2022). Equally, we have worked hard to ensure that a minimum of waste is directed to landfill, hence a drop from 13% (in 2021) to 5% this year (2022).
Eliminating Single-Use Plastic
All our garment polybags are made with 100% recycled plastic and are recyclable. This is just a first step in our journey as we continue to look for an even better alternative.