45-year-old business, Nikwax, has released its first sustainability report to document and reflect on the company’s progress throughout its history and to put its goals for the next three years into writing.

Aiming to hit its sustainability goals by 2025, Nikwax has developed a plan which encompasses over 20 projects in six identified fields of action. Here’s a break down of the new report.

Clean Chemistry

Along with keeping their products water based, PFC- and aerosol-free, Nikwax states that it will adhere to guidelines provided by the independent organisation, the ZDHC, to ensure that the business produces zero hazardous chemicals.

Climate Action

The company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2025. This would be a considerable reduction, especially given that its operational emissions are already carbon balanced.

Conservation

Already active on local and global initiatives to help preserve nature, Nikwax has pledged to continue partnering with conservation organisations. 1% of turnover will also be donated to ecological and social causes.

Circularity

Currently, 80% of Nikwax waste is recycled, and the brand’s bottles are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. By the end of 2023 90% of all single use plastic purchased by Nikwax will be made from recycled plastic.

Ethical and Fair

Nikwax already seems well on its way to achieving its goal of being an ethical and fair company, with Nick Brown the founder having transferred the ownership of the company to its employees only last month. (Nikwax Becomes Employee Owned)

Experts & Partners

Finally, the company has pledged to continue working with brands to help to extend the life of outdoor products.

“When we launched Nikwax in 1977, the environmental movement, as we know it today, was still in its infancy:  The term ‘global warming’ had only just been coined and it would be almost two decades before people started talking about their ‘carbon footprint’”, said Nick Brown. “Against this background, for us to make environmental protection a specific business objective and stated brand value was positively radical, but those were the values upon which the company was founded.  45 years on, I’m proud to say that protecting our planet is still very much at the heart of Nikwax’s goals.”