Sourcing and supply chain

The right materials make all the difference. And so does the way we source them.

Our more responsible sourcing strategy is worker focused, environmentally targeted, and balanced to allow for equitable distribution of value through the supply chain. We strive to source and work with our raw materials in a way that is Kinder to the planet. Our progress on targets and commitments will be published in our 2022 Sustainability Report.

By the end of 2022, sustainability targets will be written into all our supply chain contracts.

Our raw materials

Over the last 12 months, we’ve increased the amount of more sustainable cotton, polyester and viscose we use—our three most common materials—as well as introducing more recycled materials.

100%

sustainable cotton by 2022

100%

sustainable viscose by 2023

50%

recycled synthetics by 2024

>30%

of our products will have >25% recycled content by 2024

How we’re improving the sustainability of our materials

Cotton

Our more sustainable cotton is defined in line with the Textile Exchanges list of recognised organic and sustainable cotton initiatives. Our mix of sustainable cotton is largely organic and Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).

Viscose

Our traceable and sustainable viscose is made up of both Lenzing and Birla fibres, both of which are recognised by Canopy as more sustainable viscose producers and are listed on Higg Material Sustainability Index.

Polyester

All of our more sustainable polyester is made with recycled materials. We'll also be collaborating with other industries and institutions (such as the University of Leeds) under the Future Fashion Factory initiative, researching ways to decrease the release of microplastics.

Our cotton, viscose and polyester supply chains by FY23 Mobile Image

We’re committed to full visibility over our cotton, viscose and polyester supply chains by 2023.

Our manufacturing

We're focusing significant effort on minimising the impact our products have during manufacturing.

100%

of wet processing factories to be disclosed by end of 2022

100%

of suppliers to have a chemical management system in place by 2023

Top 10%

position to be held in the Fashion Transparency Index by 2023

Our aim is for 80% of our factories and associated sites Mobile Image

Our aim is for 80% of our factories and associated sites (Tiers 1 and 2) by volume to have measured and evaluated their environmental performance by FY23

Measuring our impact

The Higg Facilities Environmental Module (FEM) is a tool developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), created to standardise the way companies measure the sustainability of their value chain.

The tool has been a requirement for our tier 1 factories for over a year, and we have now extended this to our Tier 2 sites.

Knowing the environmental impacts at manufacturing facility level is key to achieving our sustainability targets. The Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) is our chosen tool to measure and evaluate environmental performance and the progress year on year. Higg allows us to identify and work with those facilities where we need to target improvements. Last year 38% of our tier 1 and 2 supply chain completed the module. We will grow this year on year.

Katie Pryce, Environmental Sustainability Manager

Animal welfare

Our dedicated animal welfare policy sets the standards for the products we accept and the products we don’t. It covers every material we use with an animal origin, from leather to wool, and is aligned with recommendations set out by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). We never commission or are party to any animal testing on our products and their ingredients or raw materials.

Download our animal welfare policy

leather Working Group (LWG) mobile image

Our Kind leather is produced at tanneries that have achieved Silver or Gold from the Leather Working Group (LWG).

The Vegan Society

We’re proud to be the first high street retailer to partner with the Vegan Society. Since announcing the partnership in 2019, we’ve launched a wide range of vegan-friendly shoes, bags and accessories, all proudly bearing The Vegan Society’s Trademark.

New Look have committed to registering as many of their non-leather goods as possible, changing components and reducing their reliance on animal-derived ingredients. It’s a hugely positive step for New Look and sets a precedent within the wider fashion industry. At a time when customers are increasingly aware of how their clothes are made and what goes into them, it’s possible to achieve transparency in the supply chain and source alternatives to animal-derived ingredients, while keeping them affordable.

The Vegan Society

Circular economy

Minimising our waste

Value chain and ethical trade

Looking after our planet and our people