Environment

Our work on the environment begins with a clear view of the impact of our activities. We look at climate and air, chemicals and water management, biodiversity and waste. This page provides an overview of the topics we address as part of our environmental work.

Climate

Clothing production involves the use of resources and greenhouse gas emissions. To better understand our emissions, we have calculated them according to the GHG Protocol since 2020, an international standard for accounting for corporate greenhouse gas emissions. We distinguish between direct emissions from our own activities, indirect emissions from purchased energy and other indirect emissions generated, among other things, along the supply chain. Recording and classifying these emissions creates greater transparency around our climate-related impacts.

Water

Water plays an important role in many textile manufacturing processes. In addition to water consumption, we look at water-intensive processes, water use at our headquarters and wastewater management in our supply chain. Since 2021, we have collected data on the water consumption of our supply chain partners using the Facility Environmental Module (FEM) of the Higg Index. This gives us insight into the amount and origin of the water used. Wastewater quality and the potential release of microplastics are also aspects we consider in connection with textile production.

Chemicals

Chemicals are used in various production and finishing processes in the textile industry. The controlled handling of these substances and the wastewater generated in the process is therefore an important part of our supply chain processes. To this end, we have established an Environmental Management Program (EMP) in our supply chain. It includes requirements for chemicals and wastewater management and is based, among other things, on the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero. In the 2026 ZDHC ‘Brands to Zero’ assessment, Marc O’Polo was rated at the ‘Champion’ level. The assessment was conducted by KPMG Netherlands and covers chemicals management, wastewater management and the implementation of the relevant ZDHC requirements.

Since 2018, we have avoided the intentional use of PFAS-based impregnations and finishes. Unintentional traces caused by contamination in water, raw materials or machinery cannot be completely ruled out. We therefore test our products for PFAS. The assessment is based on statutory limits and the requirements of our internal list of restricted or prohibited substances (PRSL).

BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity describes the variety of species, habitats and ecosystems. It is part of functioning natural cycles and is linked to the use of natural resources. Textile value chains can also affect biodiversity, for example through greenhouse gas emissions, the use of natural resources and the choice of certain materials. We therefore consider biodiversity one aspect of our environmental work.

WASTE

Waste is generated at various stages of the textile value chain. This includes cutting scraps and other residual materials at our suppliers, packaging at our sites and with our customers, and used textiles at the end of the use phase. The waste hierarchy sets out an order of priority for managing waste. It comprises five steps:

1. Prevention

2. Reuse

3. Recycling

4. Other recovery

5. Disposal

Waste prevention and reuse come first. The concept of a circular economy also aims to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible and in circulation.