Since launching in 2000, Weekday now has stores in 16 countries, so we know it’s a successful and popular brand – but is that success supported by ethical and sustainable practises behind the scenes?
The streetwear store launched in Stockholm at the start of the millennium and was originally called Weekend. It was open only at the weekends, but when it grew in popularity it opened up seven days a week and the brand changed the name accordingly.
Now along with & Other Stories, Monki and even more brands, the store is owned by H&M.
Here, we take a look at Weekday’s ethics and sustainability.
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Is Weekday sustainable?
Weekday is working hard to become a responsible brand, claiming ‘there’s always more to be done’.
So far, they’re off to a good start. 83% of the brand’s products are made from sustainable materials, and they have impressive goals in sight.
By 2025, they aim to use only reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic in our packaging, and by 2040 they aim to be 100% climate positive.
Since 2020, 100% of Weekday’s cotton products have been made from either organic or recycled cotton, while all of its jeans been made from organic cotton since 2015.
All of its swimwear is made from recycled waste, including PET bottles and production waste, and in 2017 it began using leftover fabrics from the textile industry in its garments in collaboration with Reverse Resources, a company which specialises in reusing production leftovers.
Weekday has also released collections using recycled waste and fabrics, including 2018’s There Is No Planet B and 2019’s Limited Edition Collection in collaboration with Recover©.
In 2020, it took part in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Jean Redesign project. Along with 50 other brands, this required them to use new solutions to put circular processes into action.
Curious about other brands’ fashion ethics? Check out Zara and Mango‘s practises.
Weekday designed Klean Jeans and the Milton Denim Jacket, which are 100% recyclable and 100% biodegradable. Both garments were made from 20% post-consumer waste and 80% organic cotton.
The brand has a policy approved by CanopyStyle to prevent deforestation of ancient and endangered forests in its supply chain.
As a part of the H&M group, it has a goal of achieving a climate positive value chain by 2040 – reducing more greenhouse gas emissions than the amount they emit. However it’s uncertain whether they’re on track to meet this target.
However as part of the H&M group, Weekday works on a fast fashion business model, meaning it offers many new items every week which encourages waste that ends up in landfill.
It also encourages the rotation of fashion trends and new garments, which in turn makes shoppers want more and more. Read which other brands are fast fashion here.
Read the H&M group’s sustainability policy here and more specifically about Weekday’s policies here.
READ MORE: 9 sustainable fashion brands who make beautiful clothes to order
Is Weekday ethical?
Weekday received a score of 71-80% on the Fashion Transparency Index.
It claims it ensure the fair and equal treatment of all its workers and suppliers by participating in the Fair Living Wages Program as part of the H&M group.
It also claims to support trade unions, offer training on labour law and by having a strict global non-discrimination policy, while according to its website it doesn’t accept child labour.
However according to Good On You, almost none of its supply chain is certified by labour standards that ensure worker health and safety, living wages or other labour rights.
Weekday publishes detailed information about supplier policies, audits, remediation processes, suppliers in the final stage of production, some information about the second and first stages of production and detailed information about the findings of supplier audits.
It also publishes detailed information about forced labour, gender equality and freedom of association, and has a project to improve wages in its supply chain, while it has disclosed some policies regarding the protection of suppliers and workers from the impacts of COVID-19.
Read Weekday’s labour rights policy here.
Weekday Animal Welfare Policy
Weekday has a formal animal welfare policy, which is aligned with the international standard of care for animals, Five Freedoms, and it traces some animal products to the first stage of production.
It doesn’t use fur, mulesed wool, cashmere, mohair or feathers, unless they’re cruelty-free and fulfil the Responsible Down Standard. It doesn’t use leather from risk countries and only uses leather from stocks reared for meat production, but it still uses exotic animal hair.
All Weekday events are vegetarian too, according to its website.
Read Weekday’s animal rights policy here.
Wear Next Opinion
Wear Next believes it’s important to highlight the negative and unjust practises taking place in the fashion industry. We believe ethics and sustainability are an important talking point to bring about change and we encourage you to contact fashion brands to demand this.
However we understand that sustainable fashion isn’t accessible for every body due to various factors, such as budget and the ability to find confidence-boosting clothes that fit. We will continue to offer you fashion inspiration and guidance to suit every body and budget, while also highlighting the unjust systems at play in the fashion industry.
We encourage our readers to shop mindfully and purposefully, ditching impulse purchases as a way to start shopping sustainably. If you want to learn more about fast fashion, we recommend books from this reading list.
