Ralph Lauren reaffirms its commitment to the circular economy

Ralph Lauren Corporation has launched its new Live On commitment, which aims to ensure that all of its previous and future goods will be able to live on responsibly by 2030. Ralph Lauren’s Timeless by Design strategy ensures that its idea of timelessness is integrated from inspiration to every usage and re-use of items across generations, as revealed at the Global Fashion Agenda’s Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen.

The Company also revealed that their classic cashmere sweater would be the first-of-its-kind premium Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certified® product as part of the presentation. The global benchmark for goods that are safe, circular, and responsibly created is Cradle to Cradle accreditation. From the cashmere fiber to the rich colours, as well as the trademark label made of organic cotton, every component of the sweater will be certified. Through a cashmere recycling initiative, customers will be able to repurpose old sweaters for future use. The C2C Certified® Cashmere sweater by Ralph Lauren will be available later this year.

Katie Ioanilli, Chief Global Impact & Communications Officer, said that at Ralph Lauren, they’ve always believed in making things that last— items that never go out of style. Today, as they reveal their Live On promise and Timeless by Design methodology, they are more thoroughly and openly embracing Ralph’s vision of timelessness than ever before.

The Ralph Lauren Live On promise is based on the company’s current circularity strategy and is guided by three pillars:

Design for Circularity: Ralph Lauren has pledged to develop its goods according to circular principles by 2025, with an aim of achieving C2C Certification® for five famous items (“icons”). The company will also provide high-quality goods made entirely of recycled cotton.

Enable Circular Consumer Experiences: By 2025, the Company plans to trial ways for customers to rent, repair, and recirculate Ralph Lauren items in a few key locations.

Advance the Circular Economy: Ralph Lauren will also invest in scaling regenerative practices, such as the United States Regenerative Cotton Fund, and innovative technologies, such as Natural Fiber Welding, a leading sustainable material science startup that is scaling a new industry standard for natural fiber recycling, by 2025.

Ralph Lauren’s Timeless by Design Global Citizenship & Sustainability strategy, which is anchored by its work to: Create with Intent, Protect the Environment, and Champion Better Lives, includes the Live On commitment. Ralph Lauren’s philosophy of creating enduring products that are meant to be loved and worn for generations will be applied across the value chain through Timeless by Design, from how the Company values the environment and champions the communities it serves from inspiration to manufacturing, sale, and every use and re-use across generations.