According to the United Nations, the fashion industry is responsible for an estimated 2-8% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and is an economy key player contributing $2.4 trillion to global manufacturing and employing 300 million people worldwide. Fashion also has a vast impact as a source of inspiration for millions of people across all segments of society who are influenced by brands, designers and influencers. 

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Responsive to this effect on the environment and society, the fashion industry is reshaping its business model to become more efficient and sustainable. Not only have brands applied individual changes, but they have joined forces collectively in associations such as Fashion Pact, International Accord or UN Fashion Charter.

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In 2002, long before sustainability and brands’ responsibility were trending topic, one of Europe’s leading fashion groups was pioneer establishing its sustainability department to commit to responsible production: Mango.

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Founded in Barcelona in 1984 and currently present in over 115 markets, Mango sees sustainability as a journey the fashion industry has to make to achieve a more just society and to reduce its environmental and social impact. With design, creativity and technology at the centre of its business model, Mango bases its strategy on constant innovation, the search for sustainability and a complete ecosystem of channels and partners.

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The fashion industry can be a long and complex chain from designs and fabric selections to production, distribution and retail. That’s why Mango launched its Sustainable Vision 2030 as a cross-departmental core value of the company strategy and business model that influences decision making and the promotion of actions with the lowest environmental and social impact possible.

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The new roadmap focuses on design to help close the loop. A single type of fabric or fewer accessories can contribute to greater recyclability; materials with physical properties certified by AITE and timeless designs can extend garments lives; and recycling and reincorporation of textile can allocate waste efficiently. As Andres Fernandez, the Global Director of Sustainability of Mango, explains, the priority goal is not only using recyclable materials, but also prolonging the products' service time. "We are working on the fabrics that make our garments and we are attempting to make them more durable and more easily recyclable at the end of their life." By 2025, Mango plans that 100% of the polyester it uses will be recycled and that 100% of the cellulose fibres will be of controlled origin and traceable.

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Mango also promotes transparency in the value chain and is the first major fashion company in Spain to publish a list of its tier 3 factories, related to suppliers of fabrics and fittings, after being the first company to publish the tier 1 and 2 list. “We believe that the best way to make sure that the workers' conditions are the best is for us to work deeply into factory level and to put the pressure on ourselves to disclose all this information." affirms Fernandez.

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It all revolves around a coherent sustainable view based on company values rather than moved by consumer trends. In Online & Customer Director of Mango Elena Carasso’s words "The sustainability process should not be driven by customer decisions and should be guaranteed and offered by the brand."

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