Lidl wants all harmful chemicals out of its textile products by 2020

Lidl, the fourth largest retailer worldwide, wants all toxic textile chemicals out of its textile products by 1 January 2020, a decision taken under Greenpeace’s pressure. A release said, Lidl is aware of its responsibility for people and the environment. It is its priority to eliminate their use across Lidl’s supply chain and operations for all footwear and apparel.

Lidl sells more than Euro 1 billion worth of textile each year and is even one of the 10 largest clothes stores in its home country of Germany. It disclosed a step-by-step plan of how to get rid of all hazardous chemicals in its textiles by 2020, after pressure from Greenpeace and several other environmental organizations paid off.

Suppliers can no longer use alkylphenols after June 2016, followed by ban on all materials harmful for the immune system and the reproduction process a year later.

The news is a huge boost for Greenpeace’s Detox campaign. Lidl’s support for the Detox campaign is within a month after its competitor Tchibo, a smaller German discount chain, supported the campaign. Fashion giants like Adidas, Burberry, C&A, H&M, Nike and Zara have already joined Greenpeace’s Detox campaign. Puma also joined in end November.

Manfred Santen (Greenpeace Germany) said, “In backing the Detox campaign, fashion chains, luxury brands, sports brands and large distribution chains show that the textile industry can change the way our clothes are made”.

While worldwide store giant Lidl has taken a giant leap forward, Aldi, Penny, Tesco, Carrefour and Walmart will also have to change their production process, moving away from quantity and back towards quality.