A Denim Story
Our mission is to create our most sustainable jeans. From raw materials to dyeing processes and wash treatments. Follow our journey to a more responsible production. It's on us.
3 PILLARS FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE JEANS
Dyeing and washing processes in conventional denim production are harmful to the environment due to their high use of water, energy and chemicals. To make the production of our jeans more environmentally friendly, we rely on three pillars.
These are based on the use of more sustainable materials, the use of more responsible technologies for dyeing the yarns and measuring the environmental impact of our washing processes. For a pair of Marc O'Polo jeans to meet our high standard, at least the third pillar must be met and the overall score of the washing processes must be rated as 'low impact process' (measured by EIM, Environmental Impact Measurement software of Jeanologia®). The more pillars are fulfilled, the more environmentally friendly the denim.
PILLAR 1 - MORE SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
We promote the use of more sustainable materials such as Tencel™ Lyocell, recycled polyester and recycled and organic cotton. When using cotton, we only use certified organic cotton or recycled cotton for our denim products. The organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, defoliants, chemical fertilizers and free of GMOs in accordance with the principles of organic farming. Our recycled cotton is primarily made from pre-consumer material, which allows us to extend the useful life of the fibers already produced.
PILLAR 1 - MORE SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
We promote the use of more sustainable materials such as Tencel™ Lyocell, recycled polyester and recycled and organic cotton. When using cotton, we only use certified organic cotton or recycled cotton for our denim products. The organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, defoliants, chemical fertilizers and free of GMOs in accordance with the principles of organic farming. Our recycled cotton is primarily made from pre-consumer material, which allows us to extend the useful life of the fibers already produced.
PILLAR 2 - MORE RESPONSIBLE DYEING PROCESSES
To make dyeing processes more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient, we are working to find solutions that are less water- and energy-intensive and minimize the use of chemicals.
We therefore rely on improved dyeing technologies such as Dry Indigo® from Tejidos Royo, which uses no water and therefore produces no waste water that pollutes the local water supply. In addition, Dry Indigo® uses 65% less energy and 90% fewer chemicals than conventional dyeing methods.
PILLAR 2 - MORE RESPONSIBLE DYEING PROCESSES
To make dyeing processes more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient, we are working to find solutions that are less water- and energy-intensive and minimize the use of chemicals.
We therefore rely on improved dyeing technologies such as Dry Indigo® from Tejidos Royo, which uses no water and therefore produces no waste water that pollutes the local water supply. In addition, Dry Indigo® uses 65% less energy and 90% fewer chemicals than conventional dyeing methods.
Our goal is to eliminate hazardous chemicals from our supply chain. We therefore require our partners in the supply chain to comply with and monitor the ZDHC Foundation's Manufacturer's Restricted Substances List (MRSL). This prohibits the intentional use of hazardous chemical substances in Marc O'Polo wet processes.
Our goal is to eliminate hazardous chemicals from our supply chain. We therefore require our partners in the supply chain to comply with and monitor the ZDHC Foundation's Manufacturer's Restricted Substances List (MRSL). This prohibits the intentional use of hazardous chemical substances in Marc O'Polo wet processes.
PILLAR 3 - MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WASHING PROCESSES
We measure the environmental impact of our washing processes using the EIM (Environmental Impact Measurement) software from Jeanologia®. The EIM tool offers our suppliers the opportunity to measure the impact of processes and define specific measures for improvement. It evaluates the environmental impact in four individual categories: Water consumption, energy consumption, chemical impacts and worker health. The requirements for the assessment criteria were significantly raised in 2022 and, for example, the use of potassium permanganate (PP spray) and pumice stones was tightened.
Both are used throughout the industry to achieve an authentic used look. This results in waste water contaminated with stone dust and chemicals, which puts a strain on sewage treatment plants and requires special disposal. Potassium permanganate (PP spray) can also be harmful to the health of workers.
PILLAR 3 - MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WASHING PROCESSES
We measure the environmental impact of our washing processes using the EIM (Environmental Impact Measurement) software from Jeanologia®. The EIM tool offers our suppliers the opportunity to measure the impact of processes and define specific measures for improvement. It evaluates the environmental impact in four individual categories: Water consumption, energy consumption, chemical impacts and worker health. The requirements for the assessment criteria were significantly raised in 2022 and, for example, the use of potassium permanganate (PP spray) and pumice stones was tightened.
Both are used throughout the industry to achieve an authentic used look. This results in waste water contaminated with stone dust and chemicals, which puts a strain on sewage treatment plants and requires special disposal. Potassium permanganate (PP spray) can also be harmful to the health of workers.
In order to find more environmentally friendly solutions, we work very closely with our partners in the supply chain. For example, we use lasers as an alternative and use denim fabrics that are particularly suitable for this. We also use processes such as ozone washing, nano-bubble technologies and more environmentally friendly oxidizing agents as well as synthetic, reusable stones and special enzyme washes.
In order to find more environmentally friendly solutions, we work very closely with our partners in the supply chain. For example, we use lasers as an alternative and use denim fabrics that are particularly suitable for this. We also use processes such as ozone washing, nano-bubble technologies and more environmentally friendly oxidizing agents as well as synthetic, reusable stones and special enzyme washes.
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