Pandora has announced it will buy 100% of the silver and gold it uses in its jewellery from recycled sources by 2025.
The jewellery brand currently buys 71% of its silver and gold from recycled sources, but the shift to recycled metals would enable Pandora to reduce its CO2 emissions and water usage as the recycling of materials uses fewer resources than mining for new ones.
Lifecycle assessments showed carbon emissions from sourcing recycled silver are one-third compared to mined silver, while recycling of gold emits approximately 600 times less carbon than mining new gold, Pandora said.
It added using recycled materials would cut Pandora’s carbon emissions by two-thirds for silver and by more than 99% for gold.
Silver is the most used material in Pandora’s jewellery, but only 15% of the world’s silver supply comes from recycled sources. More than half of the recycled silver comes from industry, where the metal is used in chemical production, electronics and for other purposes.
In an aim to boost recycled silver use, Pandora added it would be “working with its suppliers to guarantee sufficient supply of responsibly-sourced recycled silver, certified according to leading supply chain initiative standards such as the Responsible Jewellery Council”.
It added it would also engage with key stakeholders in the supply chain to explore opportunities for increasing the availability of recycled silver and improve production standards.
Alexander Lacik, CEO at Pandora, said: “The need for sustainable business practices is only becoming more important, and companies must do their part in response to the climate crisis and the depletion of natural resources.
“For many years, Pandora has used recycled metals in our designs. Now we are ready to take the next step and stop using mined silver and gold altogether. This is a significant commitment that will be better for the environment and make our jewellery more sustainable.”
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