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Ralph Lauren

At Wedge, we have gathered and analyzed the following information on Polo Ralph Lauren to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of its sustainability efforts.

Ralph Lauren

Carbon Emissions:  

The company's CO2 intensity, which measures greenhouse gas emissions in relation to revenue or employees, has decreased by 14% from 2017 to 2020. This is a clear indication of the brand's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

In 2022, the company reported a reduction in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2,778 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2e) as a direct result of reduction initiatives. This represents a decrease of approximately 4% compared to the previous year. This reduction is a significant step towards their commitment to reducing emissions and combating climate change. However, it's important to note that there's still a long way to go to achieve carbon neutrality.


Labor Practices:

The company has a public commitment to ethical labor practices and has implemented an action plan to ensure that workers are paid a living wage. However, the company's efforts in this area could be improved, as it currently has a living wage paid rating of 1/5.

For more details, visit the brand's Fashion Checker page.

Renewable Energy Sources: Ralph Lauren is making progress in its use of renewable energy. As of 2020, the company sourced 33% of its energy from renewable sources, a 7% increase from the previous year. This is a positive step towards the company's goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Transparency: Ralph Lauren's Fashion Transparency Index score is 49.6- much better than last year. The index assesses brands' transparency regarding their social and environmental policies. For more information, visit the Fashion Revolution website.

Sustainable Materials: As of 2020, the company used 67% sustainable cotton, 21% recycled polyester, and 12% other sustainable materials.

The company's commitment to using more sustainable materials and methods in its products is commendable, but the specifics of these efforts are not always clear.

The company's efforts are a step in the right direction, but more detailed information and updates on their progress would help to build trust and confidence in their sustainability efforts.


Animal Welfare:

Ralph Lauren has a number of animal welfare policies in place. These policies are designed to ensure that animals are treated humanely and ethically throughout the supply chain.

  • Fur: Ralph Lauren does not use fur in any of its products. The company has been a member of the Fur Free Alliance since 2014.

  • Down: Ralph Lauren sources down from suppliers that meet its strict animal welfare standards. These standards require that the down be sourced from birds that are not live plucked, and that the birds are raised in humane conditions.

  • Leather: Ralph Lauren sources leather from suppliers that meet its strict animal welfare standards. These standards require that the leather be sourced from animals that are not raised in inhumane conditions, and that the animals are slaughtered in a humane manner.

  • Wool: Ralph Lauren sources wool from suppliers that meet its strict animal welfare standards. These standards require that the wool be sourced from sheep that are not raised in inhumane conditions, and that the sheep are sheared in a humane manner.

Ralph Lauren also works with a number of animal welfare organizations to promote animal welfare throughout the supply chain. These organizations include:

  • The Fur Free Alliance

  • The Responsible Down Standard

  • The Leather Working Group

  • The Responsible Wool Standard

Ralph Lauren is committed to continuously improving its animal welfare policies. The company is working to develop new policies and initiatives to further promote animal welfare throughout the supply chain.

Here are some of the ways that Ralph Lauren is working to improve its animal welfare policies:

  • Working with suppliers to develop and implement animal welfare standards.

  • Conducting audits of suppliers to ensure that they are meeting the company's animal welfare standards.

  • Investing in research and development to find new, more sustainable materials that do not require animal products.

  • Educating consumers about the importance of animal welfare.

By taking these steps, Ralph Lauren is working to ensure that animals are treated humanely and ethically throughout the supply chain.

However, Ralph Lauren has been criticized for its animal welfare policies. Some animal welfare organizations have accused Ralph Lauren of not doing enough to ensure that animals are treated humanely throughout the supply chain. For example, some organizations have criticized Ralph Lauren for its use of leather from cows that are raised in factory farms.

Ralph Lauren has responded to these criticisms by saying that it is committed to continuous improvement in its animal welfare policies. The company has said that it is working to find new, more sustainable materials that do not require animal products, and that it is working to educate consumers about the importance of animal welfare.

Waste Management: Ralph Lauren has implemented effective waste management strategies. The company recycles 58% of its waste, incinerates 20%, sends 15% to landfills, composts 5%, and converts 2% to energy. These strategies have significantly reduced the amount of waste the company produces.

2nd-hand Services: Ralph Lauren doesn't support 2nd-hand services for their products directly, but it supports the second-hand market through its partnership with The RealReal, a luxury consignment store. This partnership encourages customers to extend the lifecycle of their Polo Ralph Lauren products, promoting sustainability and reducing waste. You can also get them through 3rd party platforms like The Vestiaire Collective, ThredUp, Poshmark and more.

Warranty: Ralph Lauren offers a limited warranty on its products. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not cover damage caused by wear and tear, misuse, or abuse.

To make a warranty claim, you must contact Ralph Lauren customer service. You will need to provide proof of purchase and a description of the defect. Ralph Lauren will inspect the product and determine if it is covered under the warranty. If the product is covered, Ralph Lauren will repair or replace it free of charge.

The warranty period for Ralph Lauren products varies depending on the product. For example, the warranty period for clothing is one year. The warranty period for furniture is three years.

You can find more information about Ralph Lauren's warranty on the company's website.

Here are the steps on how to file a warranty claim with Ralph Lauren:

  1. Go to the Ralph Lauren website and click on the "Customer Service" tab.

  2. Click on the "Warranty Claims" link.

  3. Fill out the online form and submit it.

  4. You will receive an email confirmation from Ralph Lauren.

  5. Ralph Lauren will review your claim and contact you if they need more information.

  6. Once your claim is approved, Ralph Lauren will repair or replace your product.

Here are some tips for filing a warranty claim with Ralph Lauren:

  • Keep your proof of purchase.

  • Describe the defect in detail.

  • Take pictures of the defect, if possible.

  • Be patient. It may take some time for Ralph Lauren to process your claim.

Offsetting Carbon: Ralph Lauren is investing in credible initiatives to remove any residual emissions. In FY22, the company joined WWF’s Noyyal-Bhavani Collective Action Program, a project aimed at addressing industry impacts on freshwater in the southern Indian region. Through this program, Polo Ralph Lauren is working to improve energy and water use efficiency in six of its manufacturing facilities, contributing to the overall reduction of environmental impacts from manufacturing.

Ralph Lauren surpasses the average score in 5/10 sustainability parameters we evaluate.


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