Burberry has announced it would stop the practice of destroying unsaleable products as well as implement a ban on using real fur.
Effective immediately, the changes come after the luxury British fashion house was recently engulfed in a backlash following a revelation that it had destroyed £28.6 million worth of goods last year.
The retailer said the new commitment builds on the goals it set last year as part of its five-year responsibility agenda and is supported by its new strategy, which is helping tackle the causes of waste.
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“We already reuse, repair, donate or recycle unsaleable products and we will continue to expand these efforts,” Burberry said in a statement.
In May 2018, Burberry became a core partner of the Make Fashion Circular Initiative convened by the Ellen McArthur Foundation,
In the past year, it created a unique partnership with sustainable luxury company Elvis & Kresse to transform 120 tonnes of leather offcuts into new products over the next five years.
The retailer was also included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the third consecutive year and has supported the Burberry Foundation in establishing the Burberry Material Futures Research Group with the Royal College of Art to invent new sustainable materials.
“We continue to invest in communities, from supporting young people in disadvantaged areas of London and Yorkshire, to developing a more inclusive and sustainable cashmere industry in Afghanistan,” Burberry added.
Meanwhile, Burberry confirmed there would no real fur in the debut collection by Riccardo Tisci, the recently-appointed chief creative officer, later this month.
It will also phase out existing real fur products.
“Modern luxury means being socially and environmentally responsible. This belief is core to us at Burberry and key to our long-term success,” chief executive Marco Gobbetti said.
“We are committed to applying the same creativity to all parts of Burberry as we do to our products.”
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