Pandora has shifted to using recycled silver and gold for all of its jewellery, a move it said will avoid significant greenhouse gas emissions.

The new strategy aims to reduce 58,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year. According to the company, the carbon footprint of recycled silver is one-third compared to mined silver, while recycling gold emits less than 1 per cent of the carbon emissions from mining new gold.

The target was previously set for 2025 but has been achieved early thanks to the strong commitment from the firm’s suppliers.

Suppliers have had to switch their operations to only source materials that are certified recycled according to the Responsible Jewelry Council Chain of Custody. 

Pandora currently produces its jewellery with 97 per cent recycled silver and gold and is expected to increase to 100 per cent from this year’s second half.

“Precious metals can be recycled forever without any loss of quality. Silver originally mined centuries ago is just as good as new, and improved recycling can significantly reduce the climate footprint of the jewellery industry,” said CEO Alexander Lacik.  

The Copenhagen-based company sells its products in more than 100 countries through more than 6500 points of sale, including some 2500 concept stores.