As an integral part of the brand’s broader sustainability commitment, Dolce&Gabbana has established a goal to reduce virgin plastic in single-use packaging by 50% by 2025, with the intention of completely phasing it out by 2030. We have developed a systematic approach to gradually transition our packaging towards more sustainable and circular practices, founded on the principles of the 4R framework: Reduce, Reuse, Recover, Recycle, reinforced by an additional layer – Certification.
1. REDUCE
Key principles:
– Eliminate unnecessary packaging whenever possible to reduce resource usage and minimize waste.
– Decrease packaging weight and volume, optimizing transportation efficiency without compromising quality or durability.
– Avoid the use of single-use plastics for both industrial and consumer packaging.
Dolce&Gabbana Achievements to date
Dolce&Gabbana has already phased out plastic usage in various product categories, including gift boxes, tissues, stickers, ribbons across Apparel, Shoes, Leathers, Home, and junior department packaging.
The brand is now extending its commitment to reduce virgin plastic across all remaining retail packaging, such as switching to cotton handles and ribbons for shopping bags, using recycled plastics for garment covers, and revamping accessory packaging.
On an industrial scale, Dolce&Gabbana plans to eliminate heat-shrinking plastic films from packaging by 2025, significantly reducing plastic usage.
Starting in the fall of 2023, the use of a new machine will be adopted for laying RTW garments that will avoid the use of plastic material, and this will be followed by hanging RTW garments.
Additionally, the brand is making strides toward sustainability by removing magnets from gift boxes by FY2024, reducing packaging volumes, and exploring eco-friendly alternatives to polyethylene foam for DG Casa products, all while ensuring full product protection.
2. REUSE
Key principles:
– Prioritize durable product packaging to extend its lifespan and enhance customer value.
– Increase the reuse rate of industrial packaging to reduce resource consumption.
Dolce&Gabbana Achievements to date
Dolce&Gabbana’s packaging is crafted from high-quality materials, designed for both industrial and retail reuse. Iconic shopping bags and metal boxes are constructed with long-lasting materials to ensure durability.
Additionally, Dolce&Gabbana Beauty is actively developing refillable packaging options for its products, set to launch in 2024, to maximize reusability and sustainability.
3. RECOVER
Key principles:
– Implement recovery initiatives at both consumer and industrial levels, such as take-back schemes.
– Develop upcycling projects to reclaim and repurpose packaging waste.
Dolce&Gabbana Achievements to date
Dolce&Gabbana is actively engaged in several 100% Made in Italy upcycling initiatives aimed at waste reduction. In collaboration with a strategic supplier, one of these projects has successfully achieved 100% cotton waste recovery, transforming it into premium-quality paper for sustainable underwear packaging.
Furthermore, Dolce&Gabbana is actively exploring the utilization of textile scraps to create fabric bags and pouches, providing eco-friendly storage solutions for shoes.
4. RECYCLE
Key principles:
– Adopt recycled, recyclable, renewable, and compostable materials for both product and industrial packaging.
– Prioritize design for 100% recyclable packaging by avoiding complex multilayer materials.
– Eliminate the use of hazardous substances that could pose risks to humans and the environment during recycling.
– Offer transparent information about sustainability features and guidelines for proper disposal, highlighting environmental attributes of the packaging.
Dolce&Gabbana Achievements to date
On the retail front, Dolce&Gabbana is committed to transitioning to 100% recycled plastic for retail packaging by FY2025 and is diligently progressing towards achieving 100% recyclability across its materials.
5. CERTIFICATION
Key principles:
– Choose third-party certified materials to guarantee consistency, transparency, and market recognition of sustainability claims (e.g., FSC, Fairmined).
Dolce&Gabbana Achievements to date
All of Dolce&Gabbana Beauty’s paper and cardboard packaging is already FSC Certified, and retail paper and cardboard packaging will achieve 100% FSC certification by 2025.
