Our Sustainability Work

Design to be loved generation after generation.

Our wish is that each Newbie garment carries beautiful memories from several children, memories that are woven into the seams one by one. The garments are inherited and cherished, ready to create new memories for the next child. At every step along the way, we strive to reduce our impact on the planet.

Carefully selected materials.

Newbie designs timeless treasures in carefully selected materials that have a lesser impact on our planet than conventional ones. Every seam and detail is shaped with passion and care, considering the children who will wear the garments. This means that all cotton is organically grown, and we use as much recycled material as possible.

  • All cotton we use for Newbie is organically grown and main part is certified according to GOTS standards, all marked on the label with GOTS logo. Organic cotton is grown entirely without chemical pesticides, artificial fertilizer or genetically modified seeds, which results in better soil quality, greater biodiversity and balanced ecosystems. The organic quality of the cotton is assured by independent inspections according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or Organic Content Standard (OCS). Garments that are GOTS-certified carries the GOTS symbol on the garment label.

    Sometimes we mix organically grown cotton with other fibres to create an Organic Cotton Blend. The resulting garment is then composed of a combination of organic cotton and other fibres, but never conventionally farmed cotton.

  • ‘Organic In-Conversion’ cotton is grown on an area of land that is being converted to organic farming. ‘In-Conversion’ describes the process of transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture, and this process usually takes 3 years. During that time, farmers implement organic agricultural methods, builds up soil health and only use fertilizers and pesticides that are allowed in organic farming. Our ’Organic In-Conversion’ cotton is GOTS certified. By buying 'Organic In-Conversion’ cotton, Kappahl supports farmers on their journey to organic agriculture. We are also expanding our portfolio of GOTS certified products.

  • TENCEL™ Lyocell are cellulose fibers made of wood from more sustainably managed forests in a closed-loop system, which recycles the process water and solvents up to 99%. Moreover, the fibres are 100% biodegradable. TENCEL™ is a trademark of Lenzing AG.

  • LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose are a more sustainable alternative to traditional viscose. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose are made of wood from more sustainably managed forests in a process with reduced environmental impact. LENZING™ and ECOVERO™ are trademarks of Lenzing AG.

  • A viscose quality made of Livaeco fibers, which comes from FSC® certified responsible forestry. The fiber is produced in a closed system, where the water and solvents are reused, causing a reduced impact on the environment.

  • Recycled polyester is made from PET bottles and scraps and by-products from the manufacturing industry, as opposed to conventional polyester which is made from oil. Making recycled material is less resource-intensive than producing material from scratch, which is why it reduces pollution and energy consumption. It also reduces the volume of waste. Our Recycled Polyester-labelled garments contain at least 50 percent recycled material.

  • Often, design comes first, and materials second. But with Rescued Fabrics we’re doing the exact opposite. What remnant fabrics might our suppliers have in their storages? How can we design garments to put those remnants to use? Materials that already exist are put to use, rather than being sent for incineration or ending up in a landfill.

  • The raw material source for recycled polyamide can be old fishing nets and carpets, and also waste from the manufacturing industry. Materials that would otherwise be scrapped are used, which saves resources and contributes to reduced emissions. Our Recycled Polyamide-labelled garments contain at least 50 percent recycled material.

  • Polylana® is an innovative synthetic fibre made from a mixture of new and recycled polyester. It has a similar feel and properties to acrylic. The Polylana® fibres consist of 55% recycled polyester.

  • Our jeans and other denim garments are made from organic cotton. Our prewash treatments involves fewer chemicals, about half as much water and almost 30 per cent less energy, as compared with conventional denim manufacturing.

  • PU stands for polyurethane, and is a shiny coating used for faux leather and rainwear. Waterborne PU contains no chemicals harmful to human health or the environment.

  • The Responsible Down Standard describes and certifies animal welfare practices in down and feather production and tracks the certified materials from farm to final product.

  • The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) describes and certifies animal welfare and land management practices in wool production and tracks the certified material from farm to final product.

  • The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) describes and certifies animal welfare and land management practices in mohair production and tracks the certified material from farm to final product.

  • The Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) describes and certifies animal welfare and land management practices in alpaca fiber production and tracks the certified material from farm to final product.

  • EUROPEAN FLAX® is a standard that aims to secure and guarantee the quality and traceability of the flax fiber grown in Western Europe: France, Belgium & The Netherlands. The EEUROPEAN FLAX® fiber is a natural, GMO-free and more sustainable fiber grown without artificial irrigation. Read more here: http://news.europeanflax.com/en/celc/4-european-flax/.

We are truly committed to shaping a beautiful future for generations to come. That’s why, we create design made to last. Formed with much passion and care, in every seam and delicate detail. With caring comfort for the children who will wear it. Our timeless and nostalgic styles outlast trends and span the seasons. Nearly everything is made using materials with less environmental impact than conventional ones. Meaning that all cotton is certified, and we use as much recycled materials as possible.

Our wish is for every Newbie garment to hold cherished memories of several children. Forever weaved into the seams. Garments to pass on like treasures, ready for new memories to be made by younger sisters and brothers. And, along every step of the way, we aim to lessen our impact on the planet.

Did you know that more than 80 per cent of a garment’s impact on the environment is actually decided at the drawing board? With wise choices all the way from fibre choice to finished garment, we can use less resources.

One of the fashion industry’s biggest challenges is achieving the transition to a circular economy, which basically means closing the material loop so that the materials that circulate are safe for people and the environment, and so that the amount of waste generated is kept down.

Newbie is a part of the KappAhl group and at the headquarters in Mölndal, Sweden, all designers, buyers and pattern-makers are busy producing about 8,000 unique items annually. Looking to a circular future, the aim is for the environmental footprint of each product to be as small as possible.

Five sustainability criteria that guide our efforts

To ensure that every step in the process is as sustainable as possible, we make use of our Sustainable Product Scorecard. This is based on five criteria, which guide us in making sustainable decisions at every stage of the design process through to a sale-ready product.

  1. Choice of material. The materials we choose are crucial from a sustainability perspective. By using organically grown cotton, recycled polyester or Tencel™, for example, we greatly reduce our use of water, energy and chemicals, as compared with conventionally manufactured materials.
  2. Circular fashion. Will the material and the details in the garment be recyclable at the end of its wearable life? If we can answer “yes” to that question, we will be contributing to circular fashion consumption.
  3. Design and useful life. How can we extend the useful life of the garment? This may mean timeless design and using quality materials that last a long time. But also features such as reinforced knees, or intentionally designing garments with high second-hand value.
  4. Materials consumption. With careful thought about how we design, construct and lay out patterns, we can minimise how much fabric we use and reduce fabric wastage.
  5. Processes such as printing, dyeing and various industrial pre-washes may cause serious environmental impact. Here we need to take care to reduce the volume of water and chemicals used by opting for more sustainable techniques.

The Sustainable Product Scorecard and the five criteria allow us to rate the sustainability of products before they go into production. They also serve to guide our product development, allowing us to manage and rate the effect of our sustainability efforts at product level.

 

 

We have strict requirements in place regarding quality, the use of chemicals and child safety. We want you to be confident that our products are safe for all who come into contact with them, all the way from fibre to wardrobe.

Newbie is a part of the KappAhl Group and our chemicals requirements are explained in more detail here, and our requirements on suppliers here. We have employees on site in our manufacturing countries, who work to ensure that all suppliers comply with our strict requirements, and that those who sew our clothes work in a safe environment.

  • Carefully assessed children’s products

All our children’s clothing undergoes risk assessment and is safe to wear. We comply with product safety legislation all the way from design to production, with extra tests, for example, of buttons, chemicals and materials.

Every children’s product undergoes testing for potential or hidden risks in the form of loose or sharp parts, cords or drawstrings. Our outdoor clothing for children has detachable hoods to minimise the risk if the hood catches on something.

  • What happens to non-compliant products?

If, in spite of all the product safety measures, any product proves unsafe, we will withdraw it from our stores and urge customers to return it.

If the products fail to comply with our health, safety or environmental standards, they will be incinerated to ensure that they cause no harm to human health or the environment.

Products with minor defects, for example different sleeve lengths or the wrong print, will be sent for recycling whenever possible.

  • Have you found a defect in any of our products?

We will work to rectify the problem as soon as possible, and are grateful if you contact us to describe the problem, via our customer service.

  • Product Policy

Our Newbie brand is associated with affordable fashion, design and quality. It also stands for responsibility, consideration and assurance. Sustainability is part of everything we do and our goals are set very high. We conduct our business with a long-term view and do our utmost to work proactively in all areas with a focus on quality, the environment, safety, working conditions and social issues.

From a product perspective, this means that our customers should feel satisfied and confident with Newbie products and their progress though the entire production process. We comply with current laws and work actively to develop and improve our products. We make decisions every day, choosing solutions to ensure that our products maintain high ethical and moral standards.

  • Ethics and morals

Newbie strives to ensure that our products are the best that they can be, whilst also demonstrating a responsible and mindful attitude, without causing offence.

Ideas about what can be considered to be offensive vary from time to time as well as between people and cultures. Our intention is to use hindsight first and to listen to public opinion.

  • For example, we exclude products and prints that are associated with racism, sexism, drugs, occult symbols and/or politics.
  • We don't sell children's clothing that could be seen as provocative, or for example which have references to sex.

Newbie communicates with our customers in a variety of ways about how and where we work. This includes on our website and on our products, which are labelled with their country of origin.

  • Health and safety

Newbie’s products must not entail any risks to our customers or to those involved in the production process. We participate actively in research and development to ensure that products and processes are safe.

  • All of Newbie’s garments meet stringent requirements on the use of chemicals.
  • Sandblasting, which is used in the manufacturing of denim, is not permitted in our production process.
  • Our work with child safety complies with the Swedish Product Safety Act. This includes extra inspections, for example, of buttons, chemicals and choice of materials.
  • The products in our collections undergo thorough tests, both in our own laboratories and in external laboratories.
  • Animal welfare

Our commitment to protecting the rights of people affected by our business also extends to animal rights protection. We work actively to ensure that products containing leather, feathers, wool or other animal materials do not come from animals that are mistreated or under threat of extinction.

This means that:

  • None of our products contain angora, mohair or real fur.
  • We do not accept mulesing, which is a practice in wool production where an area around the sheep’s tail is cut away to prevent flystrike. Nor do we accept the clips that are used as an alternative to mulesing.
  • All items made from animal hide are by-products of the meat industry and come from cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs. No animal is killed solely for its hide.
  • We never use down plucked from live birds. Instead, we buy down and feathers that are by-products of meat production.
  • We do not permit animal testing.

 

Take care of your clothes.

This is how the garments last longer:

  1. Treat stains immediately so they don't set into the fabric.
  2. Wash only when absolutely necessary. Air them out outdoors instead.
  3. Wash with a gentle cycle at a low temperature.
  4. Use a laundry bag to protect delicate materials.
  5. Wash the garments inside out.
  6. Use environmentally friendly detergent and avoid fabric softener.
  7. Dry outdoors in the shade or indoors.
  8. Store the garments properly.
  9. Learn how to repair small holes.

Sustainability Report

In our Sustainability Report for the Kappahl Group, we transparently report on our progress and challenges within our sustainability work during the past year.

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Social conditions in production countries

Newbie has an important role to play going forward, and we are constantly striving to improve our supply chain. Part of that is working closely with our suppliers and promoting better working conditions for people in production. We are constantly working for improvements through long-term partnerships with suppliers and industry collaboration.

Newbie is a part of Kappahl Group. To learn more about our social work in production countries read here 

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Nostalgic style made to last.

We want to shape a beautiful future for upcoming generations. That's why we design garments that stand the test of time.

Rescued Fabrics Collection

When we manufacture garments, we always have a bit of margin to ensure there's enough fabric. Often, there are a few meters left over. Beautiful but surplus Newbie fabrics ready to be loved again when we rescue them to create new garments. These become small limited collections that we call Rescued Fabrics, released a couple of times a year. In other words, garments made from leftover materials, contributing to reducing our environmental impact. Sustainability is and has always been at the heart of Newbie