“Sustainability is a must-have”

An interview with the strong woman at our helm – a woman who knows what matters: for the environment, for our partners, and of course for you – our customers.

Sustainability is the issue of the moment. Many of our planet's resources are limited, and the consequences of climate change can no longer be denied. To at least slow down the development of the resulting problems, it is essential not only for end consumers to rethink their lifestyles.

Ms. Michaela Schenk, Managing Director of MAWA, is familiar with the problem. Under her leadership, MAWA has become a pioneer in recent years when it comes to sustainability as a holistic concept.

Ms. Schenk, what challenges will companies face in the coming years with regard to sustainability?

Environmental protection and climate change – these are issues that affect everyone. According to the WWF, approximately 13 million hectares of forest disappear every year due to deforestation. By 2030, this would amount to 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. Therefore, companies must focus on developing towards sustainability. This can start in the office with using less paper or switching to green electricity. In the long term, however, it is primarily about changing the use of raw materials and production processes. This may involve an uncomfortable process, as changes are not always easy to implement. But every company must become aware of its responsibility towards the environment, nature, and people. Ultimately, consumers are also becoming increasingly aware of the importance of responsible stewardship of the planet and are aligning their consumption habits accordingly. Consequently, the pressure on companies from customers is also steadily growing. However, it's not about simply making a good impression on customers with a particularly sustainable image. Genuine commitment to greater sustainability must take center stage – and this applies equally to the fashion industry.

How come?

In Germany, the textile and clothing industry is one of the most important consumer goods sectors. The entire process, from cultivation and production to textile finishing, still places a significant burden on the environment due to the use of chemicals and high water consumption. However, there are already numerous examples of how sustainability is gaining importance in this sector. Many large manufacturers have committed to producing their fabrics without environmentally or health-damaging chemicals. Furthermore, approximately 30 percent of used clothing collected in Germany is recycled.

How do you implement this theme at MAWA?

We are committed to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, whose 17 goals pursue sustainable development and positive outcomes on an economic, social, and environmental level. Accordingly, our aim is to achieve CO2-neutral production by 2030 at the latest. As things stand, however, we will achieve this much sooner. In this context, for example, we have entered into a partnership with carbon connect AG and are participating in the Treelionaire project. The campaign aims to plant one million trees. The three project sites include communities in Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia. This project aligns with the goals of the 2030 Agenda in several ways, as it not only aims to reforest threatened forests to combat climate change but also to preserve biodiversity while simultaneously fighting economic inequality. For us, sustainability is a must – and not just this season. For example, we have never produced any plastic hangers, as we are not convinced of the sustainability of this material. For our wooden hangers, we use certified wood from Europe, and for our metal hangers, I had the formula changed so that only PVC without phthalates, lead, or cadmium is used. Furthermore, we recently created an eco-hanger based on natural and textile fibers, thus establishing a new product in the industry. We use renewable raw materials that form a closed CO2 cycle. Additionally, textile waste from clothing and fabric scraps is used in the production process. This avoids the disposal and incineration of old clothes and reduces the resulting CO2 emissions by 85 percent.

Why is this topic so important to you?

As a company, we understand that there is no Planet B, and therefore consider it our responsibility to contribute to our future and that of future generations. We want to demonstrate that sustainability is no longer confined to the green, organic corner, but is a topic where no one has to sacrifice style. This means that contemporary design, high-tech production, and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. For us, it's part of a holistic fashion concept, allowing us to offer diversity and individuality in hanger design based on defined lifestyles. Our goal is to lead by example. Furthermore, MAWA stands for future-oriented work, thinking, and planning – accordingly, sustainability represents a holistic concept.