We - KappAhl

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
tion took place at the same time as the number of stores and the
Group’s turnover had increased substantially.
GIVE CUSTOMERS SIMPLE SUSTAINABILITY TIPS We
also provide information to our customers on simple ways of
contributing to sustainable development, for example through
the “Wash right” brochure, which gives straightforward
environmental tips.
In addition we have published a report, “Environment and
social responsibility” (in Swedish) that describes our work in this
area. It is also available in pocket-size.
At KappAhl, buyers and management make most business
trips. As the first company in the industry we purchase carbon
offsets for these trips. In 2008 about SEK 200,000 was earmarked
for a UN-certified wind power project for the textile
industry in India.
COOPERATION THAT GIVES EXTRA FORCE We are positive
towards working together with others on sustainability issues,
since this gives access to expert help and puts more force behind
the measures. Some of the initiatives we are involved in are:
the Business Social Compliance Initiative, BSCI, the Ethical
Trading Initiative, Amnesty, the Swedish Standards Institute
standardisation group SIS/TK 160 on safety in children’s
clothes and the Nordic Chemicals Group. The Better Cotton
Initiative, BCI, is another project we are involved in. The aim is
to cultivate cotton that is good both from social and environmental
perspectives – and that at the same time maintains high
quality and can compete on price.
AWARD FOR SUPPORTING CHILDREN IN NEED We also
sponsor a number of selected local organisations that do a lot of
good in the community. In Sweden these include the 1.6 milion
club and Go Red (the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation’s fundraising
for research into women’s heart and lung disease), BRIS
(Children’s Rights in Society), the Hunger Project, Erikshjälpen
and the Mayflower Charity Foundation for Children. In 2009
we received the “Blossoming Company of the Year” award from
the Mayflower Charity Foundation for KappAhl’s commitment
to improve children’s lives and combat child poverty.
In addition we sponsor support projects in the places where
our production offices are located, such as children’s homes in
Lithuania and support schools for street children in Bangladesh.
INVESTORS GIVE THUMBS UP TO OUR SUSTAINABILITY
WORK One of many signs that we are living up to strict sustainability
requirements is that we were approved as an investment
for all Swedbank Robur ethical funds, after thorough analysis.
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Award for supporting
children in need
In autumn 2009 KappAhl received the
“Blossoming Company of theYear”award.
The award is given by the Mayflower
Charity Foundation and was presented by
H.M.Queen Silvia. KappAhl received the
award for its commitment to improve the
lives of children and combat child poverty.
SOME MILESTONES IN OUR
SUSTAINABILITY WORK
1993 • Environmental work intensified
• First collection of “eco clothes”
1997 • First code of conduct
• Environmental review performed
• Öko-Tex labelled garments
1998 • First environmental policy
• Inspections at suppliers
1999 • First fashion chain in the world to be eco
certified under ISO 14001
• Green electricity for entire operations in
Sweden
2004 • Garments EU-flower labelled
• Members of BSCI
2007 • New ecological cotton initiative
• Code of conduct made more effective
2008 • Climate analysis of t-shirts and trousers
• Carbon offset of business travel by air.
2009 • Carbon dioxide emissions decreased by
40.6 per cent in the last three-year period.
• Sales successes for our environmental bag,
the surplus from which goes to the Swedish
Society for Nature Conservation and wind
power investments in India.
• All KappAhl’s bags in stores are manufactured
from recycled plastic.
Kappahl 2008/2009