Sustainable Product
Our Restricted Substances List sets out our restrictions for any potentially harmful chemicals and is aligned with EOG and Reach. All of our suppliers are required to declare compliance with our list of restricted substances before beginning production. Our Restricted Substances list is carefully monitored and aligned with any amendments to harmful chemicals. Each component used in our production is traceable and has been tested or assessed in line with our Restricted Substance list. We work with suppliers who have accreditations to validate the materials they provide.
Sustainable Apparel Coalition
Dare 2b are proud to be part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition which enables us to work collaboratively with other likeminded companies. As part of this, the Higg Index has been an integral tool to enable us to benchmark our current performance against the best sustainability initiatives around, helping us set targets for our continuous improvement. We have been verified as Foundation Plus members working and are currently working towards Progressive member status. For the end of 2024, we will be moving towards science based targets (SBTs).
Policy Hub
We are a member of The Policy Hub, an organization that unites the textile industry to encourage and accelerate sustainable practices. The Policy Hub represents over 700 clothing & footwear stakeholders, including brands, retailers, and manufacturers. They gather technical expertise and knowledge from members of partner organisations: Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), Federation of European Sporting Goods (FESI), Textile Exchange, and Fashion For Good. The Policy Hub initiate meetings and discussion between policy makers and the membership to get a better understanding of localised legislation.
Higg Index
The Higg Index tools allow us to raise the bar on our sustainability efforts. We use the Brand Retail, Materials Sustainability Index and Product tools available through the Higg Index to review our fabrics and their impact on the environment. This allows us to compare the use of fibres, dye stuffs and finishes to make the most sustainable decisions possible.
EOG
We have joined the European Outdoor Group (EOG) this year, this allows us to keep on top of any environmental legislation discussed through EU directives. We regularly participate in discussions concerning legislation, circular business models and collaborate on projects such as textile-to-textile recycling.
Textile Exchange- 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge
As part of the Group, we are signatories to Textile Exchange’s, 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge to increase the amount of recycled Polyester in our brand’s products and ranges. This was developed by Textile Exchange in 2021 as a joint initiative with the UNFCCC and is an important catalyst for change in the apparel and textile industry. Our business targets align with the challenge to commit to bringing the percentage of recycled polyester up to >70% across our brand and the rest of the Group by 2025. In 2023, we already crossed 69% recycled polyester. We only use recycled yarns that have been sourced from suppliers that are certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and supply certification at supplier and transaction level.
The Microfibre Consortium
Since 2017, we've been part of the Microfibre Consortium, dedicated to tackling the issue of microfibre leakage in our oceans. Teaming up with researchers and like-minded companies, we're on a mission to discover eco-friendlier fibers, yarns, and fabrics for our collections. Collaborating closely with the Microfibre Consortium and our suppliers, we're refining manufacturing techniques and filtration processes to minimize shedding during production and microfibres lost in the production process are collected by the vacuum system and recycled into wall insulation.
UNFCCC
Dare 2b is a signatory of the UNFCCC. The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action contains the vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. A focus of the UNFCCC this year is to ensure all its Signatories have clear transition plans, publicly committing to its mission to drive the fashion industry to 50% emission reduction by 2030 and net-zero Greenhouse Gas emissions no later than 2050. This is in line with the Paris Agreement to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
With collective GHG data from all signatories this year and aligned transition plans, the Charter will be able to understand the scale of the issue and then contribute actively to the build-up of industry-wide collaboration including targets and approaches. In 2023, the focus has been redirected with 3 working groups looking at decarbonisation, manufacturing and Policy being formed. The UNFCCC have formed a Bangladesh Peer Action Group, which will focus on preparing a policy and a pilot project design for renewable energy PPAs in Bangladesh, which the group has requested to join. In 2022, we saw our first manufacturing partner join the UNFCCC. As a requirement of the UNFCCC, we have been conducting CDP reports since 2021. Our first achieved a grade B, with an A- in Supplier Engagement. We have maintained our score of grade B for 2022.
Dare 2b are proud to be part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition which enables us to work collaboratively with other likeminded companies. As part of this, the Higg Index has been an integral tool to enable us to benchmark our current performance against the best sustainability initiatives around, helping us set targets for our continuous improvement. We have been verified as Foundation Plus members working and are currently working towards Progressive member status. For the end of 2024, we will be moving towards science based targets (SBTs).
Policy Hub
We are a member of The Policy Hub, an organization that unites the textile industry to encourage and accelerate sustainable practices. The Policy Hub represents over 700 clothing & footwear stakeholders, including brands, retailers, and manufacturers. They gather technical expertise and knowledge from members of partner organisations: Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), Federation of European Sporting Goods (FESI), Textile Exchange, and Fashion For Good. The Policy Hub initiate meetings and discussion between policy makers and the membership to get a better understanding of localised legislation.
Higg Index
The Higg Index tools allow us to raise the bar on our sustainability efforts. We use the Brand Retail, Materials Sustainability Index and Product tools available through the Higg Index to review our fabrics and their impact on the environment. This allows us to compare the use of fibres, dye stuffs and finishes to make the most sustainable decisions possible.
EOG
We have joined the European Outdoor Group (EOG) this year, this allows us to keep on top of any environmental legislation discussed through EU directives. We regularly participate in discussions concerning legislation, circular business models and collaborate on projects such as textile-to-textile recycling.
Textile Exchange- 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge
As part of the Group, we are signatories to Textile Exchange’s, 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge to increase the amount of recycled Polyester in our brand’s products and ranges. This was developed by Textile Exchange in 2021 as a joint initiative with the UNFCCC and is an important catalyst for change in the apparel and textile industry. Our business targets align with the challenge to commit to bringing the percentage of recycled polyester up to >70% across our brand and the rest of the Group by 2025. In 2023, we already crossed 69% recycled polyester. We only use recycled yarns that have been sourced from suppliers that are certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and supply certification at supplier and transaction level.
The Microfibre Consortium
Since 2017, we've been part of the Microfibre Consortium, dedicated to tackling the issue of microfibre leakage in our oceans. Teaming up with researchers and like-minded companies, we're on a mission to discover eco-friendlier fibers, yarns, and fabrics for our collections. Collaborating closely with the Microfibre Consortium and our suppliers, we're refining manufacturing techniques and filtration processes to minimize shedding during production and microfibres lost in the production process are collected by the vacuum system and recycled into wall insulation.
UNFCCC
Dare 2b is a signatory of the UNFCCC. The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action contains the vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. A focus of the UNFCCC this year is to ensure all its Signatories have clear transition plans, publicly committing to its mission to drive the fashion industry to 50% emission reduction by 2030 and net-zero Greenhouse Gas emissions no later than 2050. This is in line with the Paris Agreement to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
With collective GHG data from all signatories this year and aligned transition plans, the Charter will be able to understand the scale of the issue and then contribute actively to the build-up of industry-wide collaboration including targets and approaches. In 2023, the focus has been redirected with 3 working groups looking at decarbonisation, manufacturing and Policy being formed. The UNFCCC have formed a Bangladesh Peer Action Group, which will focus on preparing a policy and a pilot project design for renewable energy PPAs in Bangladesh, which the group has requested to join. In 2022, we saw our first manufacturing partner join the UNFCCC. As a requirement of the UNFCCC, we have been conducting CDP reports since 2021. Our first achieved a grade B, with an A- in Supplier Engagement. We have maintained our score of grade B for 2022.
Polybags
All of our polybags are now made from 100% recycled plastic. They are fully recyclable and the size of each bag is reviewed each season to ensure we use as little plastic as possible. For some products we have managed to reduce the size by over 25%. The priority for our warehouse at Pioneer Point is to reduce plastic by 20% in the next 2-3 years. This will be achieved by downsizing our mail order bags for 70-80% of our digital orders and increasing the recycled content to a whopping 98%.
FSC Paper and Reusable Cartons
We have now moved to single walled reusable cartons in our warehouses and we're carefully evaluating each product to see if we can switch to single-walled cartons for incoming shipments. We also only use recycled materials in our printing, we don’t laminate paper and we source all paper from renewable sources (FSC Standard).
All of our polybags are now made from 100% recycled plastic. They are fully recyclable and the size of each bag is reviewed each season to ensure we use as little plastic as possible. For some products we have managed to reduce the size by over 25%. The priority for our warehouse at Pioneer Point is to reduce plastic by 20% in the next 2-3 years. This will be achieved by downsizing our mail order bags for 70-80% of our digital orders and increasing the recycled content to a whopping 98%.
FSC Paper and Reusable Cartons
We have now moved to single walled reusable cartons in our warehouses and we're carefully evaluating each product to see if we can switch to single-walled cartons for incoming shipments. We also only use recycled materials in our printing, we don’t laminate paper and we source all paper from renewable sources (FSC Standard).
Guaranteed
At Dare 2b we want to make products that last and we’re proud to offer waterproofs that are guaranteed for two years . All our products are tested to ensure they are durable and hard-wearing.
Clever Care
We work alongside Timpson Group - the UK’s largest branch network for repairs and alterations -to offer a free repair service for our consumers in the UK. We have facilitated over 500 product repairs in 2021-22 and our goal is to introduce a similar scheme in Europe in 2024. In 2020, we launched the ‘Clever Care project’ to make sure every item in our collection stays in the best condition for as long as possible. We've got handy tips on how to wash and care for your clothes, like washing at lower temperatures and opting for eco-friendly drying methods like line drying.
At Dare 2b we want to make products that last and we’re proud to offer waterproofs that are guaranteed for two years . All our products are tested to ensure they are durable and hard-wearing.
Clever Care
We work alongside Timpson Group - the UK’s largest branch network for repairs and alterations -to offer a free repair service for our consumers in the UK. We have facilitated over 500 product repairs in 2021-22 and our goal is to introduce a similar scheme in Europe in 2024. In 2020, we launched the ‘Clever Care project’ to make sure every item in our collection stays in the best condition for as long as possible. We've got handy tips on how to wash and care for your clothes, like washing at lower temperatures and opting for eco-friendly drying methods like line drying.
Circularity
In 2022, we collaborated with the European Outdoor Group (EOG) and other members to tackle textile recycling. We're working hard to take our returned products and break them down into their basic fibers. These fibers can then be transformed into brand-new materials, ready to be used in other products. Textiles collected from various sources are being transformed back into raw materials.
We're also encouraging our partners in the supply chain to reuse their product waste.
Newlife
We work closely with Newlife charity who take old products and save them from landfill, by either repurposing, mending or reselling them. This raises funds to change the lives of disabled or terminally ill children by providing support, information, disability equipment, emergency loans and specialist toys. We offer a ‘take back’ scheme in our retail stores and all warehouse returns are sent to the charity. For the period of 2022-23, Newlife saved 8,304 tonnes of carbon. The Group’s donations to the charity represents 2.46% of all in bound stock, making our estimated nett carbon saving of 180.6 tonnes.
In 2022, we collaborated with the European Outdoor Group (EOG) and other members to tackle textile recycling. We're working hard to take our returned products and break them down into their basic fibers. These fibers can then be transformed into brand-new materials, ready to be used in other products. Textiles collected from various sources are being transformed back into raw materials.
We're also encouraging our partners in the supply chain to reuse their product waste.
Newlife
We work closely with Newlife charity who take old products and save them from landfill, by either repurposing, mending or reselling them. This raises funds to change the lives of disabled or terminally ill children by providing support, information, disability equipment, emergency loans and specialist toys. We offer a ‘take back’ scheme in our retail stores and all warehouse returns are sent to the charity. For the period of 2022-23, Newlife saved 8,304 tonnes of carbon. The Group’s donations to the charity represents 2.46% of all in bound stock, making our estimated nett carbon saving of 180.6 tonnes.