Yes, Lindex is considered a fast fashion brand due to its business model of frequent product turnover, trend responsiveness, and accessible pricing. While the company has taken steps toward transparency and holds B Corp certification, its core operations - including high-volume production and reliance on low-wage countries - align with the fast fashion industry.
Its ethical and sustainability efforts show a mix of genuine commitment and significant shortcomings, particularly in fair wages and the use of conventional materials. Here is a breakdown of Lindex's practices.
Lindex operates on a model that prioritizes speed-to-market and high volume, which are hallmarks of fast fashion, despite having a slightly slower release schedule than brands like Shein.
Lindex has made more progress than many of its competitors in transparency but still faces significant ethical challenges regarding labor conditions and fair wages in its supply chain.
Lindex manufactures in countries with known labor rights risks. While the company publishes a list of its suppliers and conducts social audits through initiatives like BSCI, reports indicate systemic issues are often missed. Workers in some supplier factories reportedly face excessive hours (over 60 per week) and are paid wages far below a living wage. For instance, workers in its Bangladeshi factories earn around $180 per month, while the estimated local living wage is over $350.
Publishing its supplier list is a positive step toward transparency that many competitors avoid. However, Lindex does not disclose the detailed results of its factory audits or specific information about discovered violations and remediation plans. This lack of detail makes it difficult for consumers to independently verify the actual working conditions in its factories.
The company has a decent animal welfare policy, explicitly banning the use of fur and exotic animal skins. It uses some wool and leather, stating that it sources them from responsible suppliers who avoid practices like mulesing. However, it does not hold robust certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard, leaving its claims unverified.
Despite achieving B Corp certification and setting ambitious long-term goals, Lindex's current environmental practices are undermined by its overproduction model and heavy reliance on conventional materials.
Lindex's material use is a major weak point. As of 2023, approximately 60% of its products are still made from conventional, non-sustainable fabrics like conventional cotton and virgin synthetics. While the brand is increasing its use of better alternatives, they only make up a fraction of its total output: roughly 20% organic cotton and 15% recycled polyester.
Lindex does not publish specific data on its water usage, chemical management, or energy consumption in its supply chain, making its environmental impact largely opaque. It has a goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions but has not yet published a comprehensive report on its Scope 3 emissions, which account for the vast majority of a fashion brand's carbon footprint (from raw material extraction and production).
Lindex offers clothing take-back programs in some stores, but its circularity initiatives are still in their early stages. Currently, only about 5% of its products are made from recycled textiles. The brand does not offer repair or resale programs, and its high volume of production inevitably contributes to textile waste through unsold inventory and easily discarded garments.
Lindex has some notable commitments. The brand became a certified B Corporation in 2022, which legally requires it to balance profit and purpose. It also has a long-term goal to become climate-positive by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. It holds the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which ensures products are free of harmful chemicals.
Lindex's efforts are a step in the right direction compared to ultra-fast fashion brands, but they aren't enough to overcome the serious ethical and environmental flaws in its business model. Its commitments show promise but are not yet reflected in its actual product offerings and supply chain practices.
Lindex earns a C for its ethical practices. The brand gets points for publishing its supplier list and committing to basic auditing. However, these efforts are undermined by credible reports of low wages far below a living wage, a lack of transparency around audit results, and the absence of any comprehensive certifications like Fair Trade.
Lindex receives a D+ for sustainability. While its B Corp certification and climate goals are positive, these commitments clash with the reality of its operations. The brand continues to rely heavily on conventional, environmentally damaging materials (60% of its total) and lacks transparency on key metrics like water use and upstream emissions, all while perpetuating a model of overproduction.
If you're concerned about Lindex's fast fashion model and its ethical and environmental shortcomings, consider these brands that offer similar styles with much stronger commitments to people and the planet.
A true pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade certified and uses 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. They offer timeless wardrobe staples with total supply chain transparency and a proven commitment to paying living wages to artisans in developing countries.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
This German B Corp brand is dedicated to creating fair and eco-friendly fashion without compromise. Armedangels uses materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and linen, is PETA-Approved Vegan, and guarantees fair working conditions for its farmers and garment workers.
Shop now at armedangels.com
Eileen Fisher creates timeless, minimalist pieces using a high proportion of sustainable materials like organic linen and recycled fibers. The B Corp certified brand is an industry leader in circularity, with take-back, resale (Renew), and repair programs designed to keep clothes in use for decades.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
Primarily known for its footwear, Veja applies radical transparency to its entire production process. The brand uses innovative, sustainable materials like organic cotton, wild Amazonian rubber, and recycled plastic bottles while ensuring fair trade principles and living wages are upheld for all its workers in Brazil.
Shop now at veja-store.com
An icon of sustainability, Patagonia offers versatile outerwear and basics made primarily from recycled materials in Fair Trade certified factories. As a B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, the brand is known for its legendary product durability, ironclad guarantee, and Worn Wear program for repairs and resale.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Yes, Lindex became a certified B Corporation in 2022. This legally requires the company to consider the impact of its decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. However, this certification does not erase the sustainability issues stemming from its fast fashion production volume and material choices.
No, there is no evidence that Lindex ensures a living wage is paid throughout its supply chain. Reports indicate that wages in key manufacturing countries like Bangladesh are less than half of the amount required to meet basic needs, which is a major ethical shortcoming.
Approximately 40% of Lindex's materials are sourced more sustainably (e.g., organic cotton, recycled polyester). This means the majority, 60%, is still made from conventional, resource-intensive materials that are harmful to the environment.
Lindex demonstrates slightly better transparency than some larger competitors like Zara by publishing its full supplier list. However, its business model, pricing, and key ethical and environmental issues - like low wages and overproduction - are very similar to those of H&M and Zara, placing it in an equivalent category.
