United Arrows Reports Progress on Sustainability Goals Under SARROWS Initiative

Founded in 1989, United Arrows Co., Ltd. has established itself as a leader in the fashion retail industry, blending a unique selection of designer labels and original clothing lines. The company operates notable brands such as “United Arrows” and “Beauty & Youth United Arrows.” Their commitment to sustainability is encapsulated in the “SARROWS” initiative, launched in August 2022, with the aim of advancing three primary goals by 2030: Circularity, Carbon Neutrality, and Humanity. This report covers key activities and achievements under these goals from April 2025 to March 2026.

1. Circularity: Advancing Sustainable Fashion

In their sustainability efforts, United Arrows has made significant strides in reducing waste in both textile products and overall merchandise. The waste rates have dramatically improved:

- Textile waste rate decreased from 0.01% in the previous year to 0.00% (essentially at zero level) in 2025.
- Merchandise waste rate fell from 0.10% to 0.04%.
- The proportion of environmentally conscious products increased from 8.8% to 10.3%.

These achievements are attributed to a broader scope of recyclable products and an overall reconsideration of operational processes. The company has changed its recycling partners to include items that were previously ineligible for recycling, significantly raising the recycling rate. Additionally, new operational practices have begun to eliminate hard materials such as metal and plastics from textile bags and caps, enabling the reuse of items previously discarded.

Key Initiatives:

- Minimizing Product Waste: United Arrows continuously monitors waste in both products and textiles, advocating for quality control throughout the supply chain. The company has expanded market access for slow-moving items and committed to recycling efforts.
- Enhancing Recycling Schemes: The review of recycling operators has broadened the scope of recoverable items, enabling the diversion of more products for recycling after removing hard components.
- Utilization of Sustainable Materials: This year, 10.3% of products fell under environmentally friendly categories, utilizing materials such as cupro, recycled polyester, and organic cotton, while expanding the use of recycled sponge and plastic.
- Clothing Collection Initiatives: Starting March 2026, United Arrows introduced clothing collection boxes at their headquarters and the United Arrows Ltd. Store in Sendagaya, Tokyo, allowing employees and visitors to contribute to recycling efforts and promoting an understanding of circular fashion.

2. Carbon Neutrality: Towards a Sustainable Future

United Arrows has also made significant headway in reducing carbon emissions:

- CO₂ emissions reductions for Scope 1 and 2 improved from -32.5% to -40.0%.
- Scope 3 emissions reduction rates saw an increase from +2.8% to +24.4%.
- The ratio of renewable energy usage surged from 24.6% to 41.9%.

The company exceeded its 2030 goal of a 30% reduction for Scope 1 and 2 by achieving 40% reduction. The use of renewable energy sources at their facilities is a crucial factor, having increased from 59 to 109 locations over the past year.

Key Initiatives:

- Promotion of Renewable Energy: The company has strengthened collaborations with commercial complexes to increase the adoption of renewable energy.
- Expanding Use of Sustainable Materials: The development and promotion of environmentally mindful products continue to reduce environmental burden across the supply chain.
- A- Rating by CDP: United Arrows earned an A- rating from the international not-for-profit CDP for its leadership in climate change and water security, reflecting its robust environmental strategies implemented in its operations.

3. Humanity: Providing a Healthy Work Environment

With respect to its third goal, the company has enhanced its focus on workplace wellness:

- The compliance rate for partner factory conduct agreements rose from 77.2% to 89.3%.
- Employee engagement scores improved, with a decrease in eNPS from -45.6 to -42.2.
- The positive response rate in employee satisfaction surveys increased from 73.8% to 75.9%.

Key Initiatives:

- Strengthening Audits of Partner Factories: United Arrows aims to enhance the working environment through audits and self-assessments at domestic and international partner factories.
- Upgrading Supply Chain Management: The company has initiated a risk-based audit process, prioritizing factories based on annual production volumes and purchase amounts.
- Internal Sustainability Awareness Campaigns: To promote proactive employee participation, United Arrows continues to disseminate information through internal newsletters and seminars, encouraging a cycle of learning and engagement towards SARROWS activities.

Conclusion

United Arrows' SARROWS initiative reflects its commitment to fostering sustainability and responsibility within the fashion industry. By setting measurable targets and continuously monitoring progress, United Arrows stands poised to lead the industry toward a more sustainable future.

Visit United Arrows Sustainability for more information.