Corporate Responsibility
Environmental concerns are at the top of our agenda. In accordance with the 2015 Paris Agreement, we have taken a pledge to drastically reduce our carbon emissions by 2025 - an ambitious goal based on scientific research.
To achieve this, we continually measure our environmental footprint in order to understand its impact and, in turn, reduce it. That means obtaining facility-level data from our suppliers, so that we can carry out an accurate climate calculation. The result then allows us to pinpoint areas of improvement that will reduce our footprint.
With time, sustainability will be integrated into every aspect of our business. Our ultimate goal is to minimize our environmental impact and grow in a sustainable way.
Our Pledge
We have divided our goal into three phases. For Scope 1 and 2, we aim to reduce our carbon emissions by 80% by 2025, meaning all internal operations will be run on renewable energy. For Scope 3, which represents 98% of our global emissions, we will push for a 30% reduction of emissions per product.
Read more about our efforts to reduce emissions in our Sustainability Report
Traceability
Traceability is at the core of our sustainability objective. The in-depth knowledge we have of our supply chain means we are able to select which solution or supplier will help us meet our reduction targets.
Currently, 60% of the leather we use comes from suppliers that are entirely committed to using renewable energy, and we hope to see more and more suppliers follow suit. In addition to this, 50% of our manufacturing in Portugal is powered by solar panels.
Materials
Our goal is to continue growing without applying additional pressures on the environment. We are constantly researching innovative materials that will maintain the quality of our products and have a low impact on the planet.
Leather
All our leather is Leather Working Group (LWG) certified and rated either Gold or Silver. This means that we are able to trace the origin of the leather, down to the raw hide, and that the tanneries are audited based on their environmental compliance and performance capabilities. It also ensures that the working conditions in the production units are ethical and environmentally friendly.
Cotton
80% of the cotton yarns used in our Spring/Summer 2022 collection are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Recycled Polyester
Our recycled polyester is sourced from the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE. The community’s SEAQUAL® YARN is a 100% post-consumer recycled polyester thread. It is made up of approximately 10% Upcycled Marine Plastic and 90% post-consumer PET from land sources.
Drop Of The Week
Through our ‘Drop of the Week’ business model, we continue to keep our initiatives at the heart of what we do. With the help of our global community, we are able to encourage buying better and smarter.
The ‘Drop of the Week’ format ensures that we maintain healthy stock levels, not forcing our buying department to push inventory that exceeds market demand. Thanks to our suppliers, there is no need for us to place material orders that exceed production levels, meaning we never have deadstock.
Xchange Platform
Today, we know that our products do not always reach their full potential post-purchase; and often there are many more miles to be walked before the shoes or garment have reached its final destination. Today more than 70% of the items produced within the fashion industry ends up in landfills across our globe. By creating the Xchange platform, we will allow customers to resell their pre-loved Axel Arigato items, offering a solution to extend the life of our products, and reduce the need for new items to be placed at the market and pushing the planetarian boundaries beyond its capacity.
Our Community
In the interest of health and safety, we have set a Code of Conduct to ensure a high standard of working conditions. These requirements include but are not limited to fair wages and working hours, the right to a trade union, and a ban on forced and child labor. We also have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination of any kind, bribery, and corruption.
Over 90% of our manufacturing takes place in Portugal, where our local team of Product Technicians visits our suppliers daily. Being present at the heart of our production means we are able to create a more engaged partnership with our manufacturers, one that centres on prosperity.