Aje Aware | Planet

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A Commitment to the Planet

Our planet is our shared home, and it is our collective responsibility to take care of it. The fashion industry has been associated with significant negative environmental impacts, and we at Aje and AJE ATHLETICA are determined to change this narrative. We recognise the urgent need for sustainable practices that minimise harm to the planet.

With a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, we strive to be agents of positive change within the fashion industry. We understand that our actions have consequences, and we are dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint. By implementing measures to eliminate hazardous chemicals, reduce our carbon emissions, and invest in the circular economy, we are actively working towards creating a more sustainable and responsible fashion ecosystem.

By fostering a culture of sustainability, innovation, and collaboration, we believe the fashion industry can transform its negative impact into a positive force for change.

Eliminating Harmful Chemicals

Target 1: Eliminate Harmful Chemicals

Aje and AJE ATHLETICA are committed to ensuring the health of our customers, supplying partners and the environment by limiting the use of harmful substances throughout the process of creating our garments and accessories.

As outlined in Aje and AJE ATHLETICA's Supplier Code of Conduct, we are committed to: RESPONSIBLE DYE, CHEMICAL AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS USE.

For the next 12 months, Aje's focus will be on:

1. Tracing 100% Tier 2 suppliers
2. Finalising our Harmful Chemical Policy
3. Embedding a due diligence program that includes conducting laboratory tests in partnership with an expert third party
4. Setting tangible targets to improve our overall conformance in FY25

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Target 1: Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

In order to assess our carbon emissions for the fiscal year 2022, we enlisted the expertise of carbon mapping specialists Pangolin Associates.

In FY22, we assessed emissions from scope 1, 2, and 3, which encompassed both remote work and commuting by staff.

If you are interested, please see our FY22 results here and below.

FY22 SUMMARY:
Scope 1: 0 tCO2-e
Scope 2: 192.4 tCO2-e
Scope 3: 6,073.4 tCO2-e

A comparison of the individual sector contributions to GHG emissions revealed that Postage, Courier & Logistics was the largest contributor, at 3,989.5 tCO2-e (63.7% of total GHG Protocol emissions).

Over the next 12 months we will, therefore, be focused on:

- Reducing our Airfreight 5% year on year
- Increasing sea freight and exploring a carbon neutral shipping line
- Moving to green energy for our standalone stores and head office

Investing in the Circular Economy

Target 1: Offer Circular Business Model to Our Customers

Engaging in the circular economy is an essential measure for fashion brands aiming to lessen their ecological footprint and support a sustainable future while mitigating the adverse effects of the fashion industry on the environment. Although there is not a single prescribed approach to embracing the circular economy, our objective is to provide our customers with the most logical avenue to minimise waste within our industry.

Target 2: Train Design Team on Circularity

Recognising that circularity begins during the design phase, we are committed to involving our entire design team and providing them with training on circularity principles.

Target 3: Address Garment End of Life

While Aje and AJE ATHLETICA are known for the exceptional quality of our garments, we are continually striving to enhance the longevity of our products and decrease return rates.

We acknowledge that quality is crucial in fashion from a sustainability standpoint, as it leads to longer-lasting garments, reduced waste, and lower environmental impact.

Aje and AJE ATHLETICA are thrilled to have partnered with Thread Together, allowing us to donate new garments to those in need.

If garments are faulty and cannot be repaired, we recycle them with Upparel.

FAQs

Do you measure emissions across the business?

Yes. In FY22, we assessed emissions from scope 1, 2, and 3, which encompassed both remote work and commuting by staff.

How are you working to reduce your carbon emissions?

Over the next 12 months, we will be focused on:

- Reducing our Airfreight 5% year on year
- Increasing sea freight and exploring carbon neutral shipping lines
- Moving to green energy for our standalone stores and head office

What do you do to manage the safe use of chemicals in your production processes?

Aje and AJE ATHLETICA are actively working to exclude harmful chemicals from our textile supply chains. It starts with our Supplier Code of Conduct and onboarding process.

The suppliers we choose to work with share our values and respect both local and international environmental regulations and standards. We each care about protecting the environment and ensuring manufacturing processes are as clean and green as possible.

We outlaw harmful chemicals such as azo dyes and formaldehyde and have strict requirements as to the handling of chemicals that are used. We insist on proper waste management, with special attention to any hazardous waste and emissions, which may not be dumped or discharged in an unlawful manner, including water waste.

This is an area that we will keep managing and growing in, and we will be publishing our progress on our Aje Aware website.

How do you work with the circular economy?

As mentioned above, this is a current focus for Aje and AJE ATHLETICA and we hope to launch our own circular service in the next 12 months.

Any commitments signed up to?

We are members of The United Nations Global Compact and therefore committed to implementing sustainability as a core principle in the day-to-day operations of the business.