More sustainable textile fibres and design
Biodiversity represents a key resource for Inditex and, for this reason, the Biodiversity Strategy of the Group marks the guidelines to protect and conserve it.
At Inditex we make every effort to extend the use of more sustainable fibres in our collections, such as those of organic and recycled origin. In 2014, at Inditex we have placed 5.5 million items of certified 100% organic cotton items on the market, as well as 3.5 million items with 50% organic cotton and 1.2 million items with 5% organic cotton. This translates to consumption of 1,009 tonnes of organic cotton, which implies growth of 92% in weight. Zara and Oysho have launched collections of ecologically-cultivated cotton under the certification Organic Content Standard (OCS). We also continued by participating in three projects within the programme Farm Investment which develops new seeds that are apt for organic cultivation and improved cultivation techniques for sustainable agricultural production.
To promote the use of sustainable fibres, Inditex avails of specific training plans for designers and purchasers for the most used prime materials and the most responsible alternatives within the training programmes for environmental sustainability. In 2014, the commercial teams of Zara, Oysho, Pull&Bear and Tempe have received this training.
Forest Product Policy
In 2014 Inditex published its Forest Product Policy to protect primary forests in danger of extinction as a Group guideline in the selection and use of raw materials of forest origin, ensuring that they originate from forests that are managed in a sustainable manner. This policy has an impact on the choice of raw materials for the furniture or paper products (information developed in the chapter on efficient use of resources) and on the choice of artificial textile fibres manufactured from pulp such as viscose, modal and lyocell, avoiding that they originate from primary forests at risk of extinction, forests that are illegally felled or those with habitats of species that are at risk of extinction. For this, Inditex has founded, together with other brands in the sector and the organization Canopy Planet, the Textile Leaders Group for Forest Protection, that is working with viscose manufacturers to achieve the objective established in our Policy to protect the primary forests that are at risk of extinction.
Animal Welfare Policy
Inditex applies responsible production standards to its products in relation to the use of elements of animal origin. The commercial formats of Inditex do not commercialize fur. Since 2013, Inditex has formed part of the Fur Free Retailer Program de la Fur Free Alliance.
During 2014, resulting from permanent dialogue with organisations for animal rights, Inditex has continued to strengthen its commitment to respect for animals. In this sense, Inditex decided in 2014 to interrupt the production of items with angora wool and to eliminate these products from the offer of 2015. In this sense, Inditex agreed with the non-profit organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to donate items with angora wool valued at 736,699 euro to the organisation Life for Relief and Development in the concept of humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees.
Collaboration with international initiatives
Inditex maintains a close collaboration with international initiatives such as Textile Exchange and Better Cotton Initiative.
Resulting from these collaborations, Inditex participates in the funding of agricultural projects in China and India (Seeds Guardians Project, in the Odisha region of India; Better Cotton Project in Gujarabi, India; and Mecilla Project, in the Chinese province of Shanxi). In all of these, organic agriculture is promoted with the development of seeds apt for organic cultivation, and the training of agriculturists in efficient agricultural techniques, sustainable management of natural resources and responsible use of chemical products such as pesticides and fertilisers. These programmes permit improved life conditions for the producers and their families and create a positive impact on the environment.