Pandora shifting to recycled silver and gold for all jewelry
World-renowned jewelry brand, Pandora, has taken a groundbreaking step towards environmental sustainability by transitioning its precious metals supply to 100% recycled silver and gold. This move, aimed at reducing the company's carbon footprint, is set to be completed ahead of schedule by the end of 2023, aligning with Pandora's commitment to environmental responsibility.
Pandora revealed that by opting for recycled materials instead of newly mined silver and gold, the company is poised to evade a staggering 58,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The shift not only underscores Pandora's dedication to sustainable practices but also reflects a significant move away from the environmental impact associated with traditional mining processes.
Mining operations are known for their substantial energy consumption and resource utilization, making them a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, recycled silver boasts a carbon footprint that is one-third of mined silver, while recycled gold emits less than 1 percent of the carbon emissions generated by mining new gold.
Pandora had previously set an ambitious target in 2020 to source 100% recycled silver and gold by 2025. However, due to the unwavering commitment of its suppliers, the Danish jewelry brand is on track to achieve this milestone by the end of 2023. All suppliers associated with Pandora are now mandated to source materials certified as recycled by the Responsible Jewellery Council Chain of Custody, adhering to one of the industry's most stringent standards.
The transition to recycled metals has prompted changes across the entire supply chain, with suppliers implementing new processes and equipment to ensure the complete segregation of mined and recycled metals. This comprehensive approach covers sorting, melting, and manufacturing stages, ensuring the integrity of the recycled materials.
Silver and gold stand as the most utilized precious metals in Pandora's jewelry creations. With the depletion of existing metal inventories considered, the company anticipates crafting all new jewelry exclusively from 100% recycled silver and gold in the second half of 2024. Notably, in 2023, 97% of the silver and gold sourced for Pandora's jewelry was already derived from recycled materials, showcasing the brand's accelerated progress toward a sustainable and eco-friendly future.
