Sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability according to Stilema: responsible beauty, tangible impact

OUR COMMITMENT

A concrete journey toward sustainability.
From material selection to product lifecycle,
every detail reflects a genuine commitment.



Our commitment for the environment

At Stilema, we believe true luxury should never weigh on the environment.

Each of our creations is born from the balance between beauty, durability, and respect: for people, for raw materials, for the planet.

Our concept of responsible luxury is rooted in a clear choice: using only materials capable of combining aesthetics, performance, and genuine sustainability.

For this reason, the bodies and linings of all our bags are made from recycled polyester (rPET), while the finishes are crafted in AppleSkin®, an innovative bio-based material obtained from apple processing waste.

Our certifications

For every recycled material, we require the highest recognized certifications from our partners, issued by international bodies such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) or by accredited university research institutions.

This allows us to guarantee our customers full material traceability, certified authenticity, and compliance with the highest quality and environmental standards.

Different materials united by the same philosophy: transforming what already exists into something new, ethical, and long-lasting, while ensuring strength, resilience, and lasting quality over time.

A design that respects the future, without sacrificing the beauty — and strength — of the present.

THE MATERIALS

Materials
Recycled polyester (rPET)

The body and lining of every Stilema bag are made from recycled polyester (rPET): a material that preserves the same elegance and strength as virgin polyester, but with a significantly lower environmental impact.

The production of rPET results in an average 50–60% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional polyester — around 4.5–5 kg of CO₂e per kg of fiber, versus 9.5 kg CO₂e for virgin material.

For a single bag or backpack, this translates into up to 4 kg of CO₂ saved, the equivalent of roughly 20 km of driving avoided.

A real and measurable benefit: With a production of around 1,000 pieces, Stilema prevents over 3 tons of CO₂ emissions, equal to the annual absorption of more than 140 trees or 12,000 km of driving avoided. Moreover, the use of rPET makes it possible to repurpose up to 50,000 post-consumer plastic bottles, diverting them from the environment and giving them a new life.

Recycled polyester also requires 60% less energy and 50% less water, reducing waste and contributing concretely to a responsible circular economy.

All our fabrics are selected to ensure mechanical strength, stability, and long-lasting durability, in line with the highest quality standards.

Sources: Textile Exchange – Preferred Fiber & Materials Market Report 2023; Higg MSI (v3.7); WRAP UK “Valuing Our Clothes”, 2022; European Commission – Joint Research Centre.

THE MATERIALS

Materials
AppleSkin®

The finishes of Stilema bags are made from AppleSkin®, a bio-based material developed in Tuscany from apple industry waste.

Certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a biobased product (34%), AppleSkin® is a concrete example of circular economy applied to design, where technological innovation meets Italian aesthetic sensibility.

According to the LCA study conducted by the University of Milan (2022), the production of AppleSkin® enables an average 40–50% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional synthetic materials, as well as lower consumption of energy, water, and fossil resources.

Completely animal-free, AppleSkin® maintains the softness, strength, and aesthetic quality of natural leather, offering an ethical and durable alternative perfectly aligned with Stilema’s philosophy:

Creating beauty while respecting the world it comes from.

Sources: USDA BioPreferred Program, 2023; University of Milan – LCA “Apple Upper”, 2022; Biotech Materials – Uppeal™ Presentation, 2023.

INNOVATION

Production
and lifecycle

Every Stilema bag is crafted in Italy, within a specialized artisanal supply chain that combines expertise, precision, and aesthetic sensitivity.

Made in Italy production ensures direct control over quality, workmanship, and working conditions, guaranteeing the level of excellence that defines every Stilema creation.

We design each product with a long-term vision, selecting durable components and repair-friendly solutions, far from the logic of fast, disposable fashion.

For us, sustainability does not end with the sale: we offer maintenance and spare parts services to extend the life of every piece, thus promoting a culture of care and reuse.

Finally, we encourage customers to return products at end of life to enable recycling or regeneration, closing the loop of a truly conscious production journey.

Because true sustainability means knowing where what we create will end up.

RELATIONSHIPS

People
and community

At Stilema, we believe sustainability is not only environmental, but also human and social.

We work to ensure that every stage of our supply chain respects dignified working conditions, ongoing training, and protected human rights, because the quality of a product begins with the people who create it.

We collaborate with local workshops and Italian artisans, supporting circular economies on a human scale and helping preserve the heritage of Italian craftsmanship — the Made in Italy know-how.

Through these long-standing relationships, we bring value to the community and honor the beauty of work done with care.

We believe in the power of shared culture: this is why we promote environmental awareness initiatives and participate in responsible design and fashion events, such as Fuori Salone 2025, with the goal of spreading a more conscious and respectful vision within our industry.

Because the truest form of sustainability is born from people — and grows with the community that supports it.

Authentic luxury is respect: for those who create, for what endures, for the world that inspires us.