Retailer unveils new commitments to help tackle sustainability, human rights and poverty through initiatives with Oxfam, Woodland Trust and the Ethical Trading Initiative.
Mamas & Papas has announced a trio of new initiatives which it said would “underpin and accelerate its ESG strategy”.
The company has partnered with charity Oxfam to launch a take-back scheme to reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfill each year. Mamas & Papas said the move would extend the life of its baby clothes by enabling customers to re-love, repurpose or recycle. Take-back boxes will be installed in all standalone Mamas & Papas stores.
It also announced a financial sponsorship to Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, which will help protect native woodland in the Northern Forest and fund a new woodland grove in the Trust’s Smithills Estate in Bolton.
Mamas & Papas have also become members of the Ethical Trading Initiative’s (ETI) code of labour practice, which aims to improve and safeguard the human rights of overseas workers across its global supply chain. The code address issues such as wages, hours of work, health and safety and the right to join free trade unions.
Nathan Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Mamas & Papas, said the partnerships underlined the brand’s commitment to putting environmental, social and governance concerns at the heart of its business.
He said: “Through our Oxfam partnership, we want to make it easy for our customers to donate items they no longer need, increasing circularity, reducing landfill and raising vital funds to tackle global and injustice.”
Speaking about the take-back scheme, Lorna Fallon, Retail Director Oxfam GB, said: “We’re excited to partner with Mamas & Papas to help people donate clothes to Oxfam, which will raise vital funds to fight poverty and inequality around the world.”
Nathan continues: “We’re also excited to supporting the development of woodland in the North of England, not only enabling it to be visited and enjoyed by families now and for generations to come, but also contributing to the safeguarding of this valuable ecosystem and natural habitat.
He added: “Whilst we’re already committed to ethical trading through SMETA audits, our ETI membership meanwhile enhances our commitment by deepening our relationships, not just with our suppliers but also their workers. We’re excited to work with ETI to drive these initiatives as members and deepen our understanding of what’s needed to achieve them.
“The challenges over the last couple of years have confirmed our resilience as a business and our receptiveness to change. This is all about looking forward – working with the right partners to ensure our ESG strategy delivers a meaningful and measurable impact on our communities and stakeholders.”
