Sustainability
“We see sustainability as one of the core focuses of our business.”
DeFacto Publishes Its Sustainability Report as an Integrated Report for the First Time
DeFacto, which has been publishing its Sustainability Report for 10 years, announced its 2023 edition as an Integrated Report. CEO İhsan Ateş emphasized, “Since 2005, we have regarded sustainability as one of the core focuses of our business.”
The global fashion brand continues to lead the ready-to-wear sector with its initiatives under the sustainability umbrella. By transparently sharing its work and goals in this field, DeFacto aims to increase awareness of integrated reporting, enhance institutional capacity, and share best practices at the national level. DeFacto has also become a member of the Integrated Reporting Association, which promotes integrated reporting and thinking.
“We Are Inspired by Nature, We Grow with People, and Create Economic and Innovative Value”
Commenting on the report, CEO İhsan Ateş highlighted the challenges the fashion and textile industry poses to natural resources despite its significant contributions to the global economy. He stated:
“The industry produces approximately 100 billion products annually, which translates to a truckload of textiles being discarded into landfills every second. Operating mostly on a linear business model, our sector’s current practices are unsustainable. As one of the leaders in Turkey’s fashion and textile industry, we are taking responsibility and the necessary steps to drive transformation.
Since 2005, we have regarded sustainability as one of the core focuses of our business. From sourcing sustainable raw materials to designing eco-friendly products and ensuring sustainable practices in every process until the product reaches our customers, we work to make the planet, people, and society better.”
1 in 5 Ready-to-Wear Products is Sustainably Produced
Believing in fashion as a powerful tool for building a sustainable future, Ateş emphasized, “Sustainable fashion is a critical priority for carrying our sector and company into the future. We offer our customers the best combination of fashion, quality, price, and sustainability while leveraging technology and digitalization to achieve this.
We use innovative, sustainable materials that have a lower environmental footprint, require fewer resources, and reduce dependence on traditional textiles. As a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, 16% of the cotton we used last year was Better Cotton. Currently, 1 in 5 of our ready-to-wear products is sustainably produced, and by 2030, we aim to make 90% of our collections sustainable.”
Increasing Sustainable Collections
Ateş highlighted DeFacto’s sustainable and innovative product collections as a significant step:
“Under the DeFacto LIFE brand, we offer green-labeled products made from recycled or sustainable materials. For instance, olive waste, which is a by-product of a fruit everyone loves, serves as a raw material for us. Our Sustainable Olive Leather Collection transforms industrial olive waste into a new raw material, reflecting our ‘Inspired by Nature’ philosophy.
This innovation not only supports circular economy principles but also provides farmers with an additional source of income from waste materials. Compared to traditional leather, our vegan olive leather reduces carbon emissions by 94%.”
Growing with a People-Centric Approach
With a focus on “Growing with People” as part of its integrated thinking approach, DeFacto continues to create an inclusive and equitable work environment. As the first retail company in Turkey to sign the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles in 2015, DeFacto actively promotes gender equality.
In 2023, DeFacto increased the proportion of female employees to 60% both domestically and internationally, while female managers now account for 43% of leadership roles within the company. The brand remains committed to fostering a fair and inclusive workplace for all.”