Our goals are to continuously reduce the amount of waste we generate and eventually build a value chain in line with circular economy. We strive to continuously improve the material efficiency of our production to ensure that valuable materials are not thrown away. Decisions made in the design phase affect material consumption. For example, we reduce cutting waste through considering the size and positioning of prints and by designing products of different sizes from the same fabric.
Since the beginning of 2022, end-of-life textiles from our printing factory and sewing shop in Helsinki have been recycled at Rester’s mechanical recycling plant in Paimio, Finland. Cooperation with Rester supports Marimekko’s goal of a value chain in line with circular economy. 100 percent of waste collected in our own printing factory and headquarters are recycled as material or utilized in energy production. In the future, we aim to increase the share of waste recycled as material in line with the waste hierarchy.
In 2022, we launched a new home concept called Marimekko Marimade. All Marimade products feature upcycled, recycled or bio-based materials. Upcycled materials were used e.g. in bags, notebooks, and scented candles. We have also launched a closed-loop pilot project, where the cutting waste and other leftover materials generated in the manufacturing of Marimekko’s jersey products are used as raw material for new Marimekko products.
All our packaging materials are already recyclable. Cardboard and paper purchased by Marimekko for packaging are either made of recycled materials or materials that have a certificate from the FSC or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). In the future, we intend to reduce the use of plastic and increase the use of recycled materials in packaging.