MAWA - "Sustainability is a Must-Have"
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"Sustainability is a Must-Have"

An interview with the strong woman at the top - a woman who knows what counts: for the environment, for our employees and of course for you - our partners and customers.

Sustainability is the topic of the hour. Many of our planet's resources are limited and the consequences of climate change can already be observed more and more frequently. In order to at least slow down the development of the resulting problems, it is not only important for end consumers to reconsider their lifestyle.

Ms. Michaela Schenk, Managing Director of MAWA, knows the problem and has therefore established MAWA as a pioneer when it comes to the topic of sustainability in its entirety.

 

Ms. Schenk, what challenges do companies expect in terms of sustainability in the coming years?

Environmental protection and climate change - these are topics that concern everyone. According to the WWF, around 13 million hectares of forest disappear every year due to deforestation. By 2030, this would mean losing an area roughly the size of Germany, France, Spain and Portugal combined. Even without reducing our CO2 emissions, climate change will soon have fatal and irreversible consequences for the earth. That is why companies must focus on developing towards sustainability. This can start in the office with using less paper or using ecological electricity. In the long term, however, it is primarily about changing the use of raw materials and production processes. Under certain circumstances, there is an uncomfortable process behind this, because changes are not always easy to implement. But every company must be aware of the responsibility it has towards the environment, nature and people. Ultimately, end consumers are also becoming more aware of the need for a responsible approach to the planet, which they also use to align their consumer behavior. Accordingly, the pressure on companies from the customer side is growing more and more. However, it is not about making a good impression on the customer with a particularly sustainable coat of paint. Real commitment to more sustainability must be the focus - this is no less true in the fashion sector.

 

Why?

In Germany, the textile and clothing industry is one of the most important consumer goods sectors. The entire process, from cultivation through production to textile finishing, still poses a major burden on the environment due to the use of chemical substances and high water consumption. However, there are already numerous examples of how the topic of sustainability is gaining in importance here as well. For example, many large manufacturers have committed themselves to producing their fabrics without chemicals that are harmful to the environment or health from now on. In addition, around 30 percent of the old clothes collected in Germany are recycled.

 

How do you implement changes at MAWA?

We are committed to the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, whose 17 goals pursue sustainable development and positive objectives on an economic, social and ecological level. Accordingly, our goal is to achieve CO2-free production by 2030 at the latest. But as things stand at the moment, we'll be able to do it much earlier. In this context, for example, we have also entered into a cooperation with carbon connect AG and are participating in the Treelionaire project. The goal of the campaign is to plant one million trees. The three places of activity include communities in Africa, Central America and Southeast Asia. This project corresponds to the goals of the 2030 Agenda in several respects, as it not only pursues the reforestation of endangered forests to combat climate change, but is also intended to preserve biodiversity and at the same time combat economic inequality.

For us, sustainability is a must-have - and not just this season.

For example, we have never produced any plastic hangers because we are not convinced of this material in terms of sustainability. We use FSC-certified wood from Europe for our wooden hangers and I had the recipe changed for our metal hangers so that only PVC without phthalates, lead or cadmium is used. In addition, we recently created an Eco hanger made of 100 percent Eco material based on natural and textile fibers, creating a first in the industry. On the one hand, we use renewable raw materials that form a closed CO2 cycle. In addition, we have developed a hanger made from textile waste from clothing and fabric remnants. This avoids throwing away and burning old clothes and reduces the resulting CO2 emissions by 85 percent.

 

Why is this topic so important to you?

As a company, we have understood that there is no such thing as planet B, and we therefore feel it is our responsibility to make a contribution to our future and that of future generations. We would therefore like to show that sustainability no longer belongs in the green organic corner, but is a topic where nobody has to do without style. This means that contemporary design, high-tech production and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. For us, it is part of a holistic fashion concept with which we offer variety and individuality in temple design based on defined lifestyles. Our goal is to set a good example. In addition, MAWA stands for future-oriented work, thinking and planning - accordingly, sustainability means a holistic concept.