To improve sustainability of textile and apparel industry, British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched a new range of suits made with 55 per cent of recycled wool. It includes wool M&S customers have donated in stores through its shwopping initiative to address the social, ethical and environmental impacts of its products as committed by the company.
The Recycle Wool Blend Suit is now available in tailored fit fiver colors at 196 US Dollar with a three-piece option also available. The wool is woven into the suit fabric in Prato, Italy.
“Wool has proven to last, retaining its shape and color throught the years. My suits are predominantly crafted from wool, a fabric that is breatheable, warm and resists creases,” David Gandy, ambassador of tailoring at M&S said.
Gandy feels suit not only needs to look good and fit well but also it must stand the test of time. About 80 per cent of the retailer’s new tailoring collection will be made with wool, he added.
The idea of new suit based on the sustainability plan by ‘M&S – PLAN A 2025’. ‘Plan A’ indicates the core value of Marks & Spencer in directing the strategy to help protect the planet, by sourcing responsibly, reducing waste and helping communities. The plan launched earlier this summer where retailer is promised to quarter of its clothing and home products by using at least 25 per cent recycled materials. Having originally aimed for 25 per cent of M&S’s cotton to be sourced more sustainably, they have upped their target to 100 per cent by 2019.
Over the past five years, M&S has reduced its packaging by 26%, and recycled tons of hangers. And it’s also advocating a new way of reducing waste to encourage donating used clothing instead of dumping with the ultimate goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable major retailer.
– Apparel and Textile News, Apparel Talk, Indian Apparel
