Dr Martens is set to begin using recycled leather at its Northampton factory for some of its boots, according to The Times. The footwear retailer is one of a group of investors set to inject $18 million into a reusable leather maker, Gen Phoenix. Other backers include Jaguar Land Rover and Tapestry, the home of luxury brands such as Coach and Kate Spade.
Dr Martens is set to begin using recycled leather at its Northampton factory for some of its boots, according to The Times. The footwear retailer is one of a group of investors set to inject $18 million into a reusable leather maker, Gen Phoenix. Other backers include Jaguar Land Rover and Tapestry, the home of luxury brands such as Coach and Kate Spade.
The move is part of Dr Martens' effort to become more sustainable, as consumers continue to prefer greener fashion. The retailer plans to start using the recycled leather, produced in Gen Phoenix’s facility in Peterborough, by early next year.
Gen Phoenix already makes recycled leather for the transport industry, which has been used on more than four million seat covers worldwide and has saved over 8,000 tonnes of leather waste from landfill.
Dr Martens sold 14.1 million pairs of shoes worldwide last year, produced in 14 factories mainly located in southeast Asia. Just last week the retailer appointed former Carphone Warehouse CEO Andrew Harrison as an independent non-executive director. Harrison is currently the senior independent director at Ocado Group and joint owner of online grocer Ocado Retail Limited. He spent more than two decades at Carphone Warehouse, where he served as chief executive and chair.
The move to use recycled leather is part of Dr Martens' commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. The company has also pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, and to use 100% sustainable materials in its products by 2035.
The company is also working to reduce its water consumption and waste, and has committed to using only sustainable cotton and recycled polyester in its products by 2025.
Sources:
The Times. (2021, April 20). Dr Martens to start using recycled leather by early 2024. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dr-martens-to-start-using-recycled-leather-by-early-2024-3z3zjh2zf
Retail Gazette. (2021, April 20). Dr Martens to start using the recycled leather
Sources: https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2023/04/dr-martens-to-start-using-the-recycled-leather-by-early-2024/
