The fashion industry is the world’s second-largest consumer of water and produces around 10% of its carbon emissions, so it’s no surprise that pro-environmental groups have held it under a spotlight and challenged the entire industry to do better.
Thankfully, many fashion companies and designers have been taking this challenge seriously and we no longer feel we have to sacrifice style to protect our precious planet.
Sponsored by Levi’s
We often assume these sustainable styles come from start-up brands, but in fact one of trailblazer in the sustainable fashion movement is a brand that has been a wardrobe staple for well over a century and is loved by some of the fashion world’s most covetable influencers: Levi’s.
In fact, since selling their first pair of jeans 170-years ago, this iconic brand has been determined to use sustainable and humanitarian practices at the core of everything they do. It’s great news for denim lovers, as it means we can look amazing in our favourite styles, all while playing a part in helping the environment by supporting a brand that truly cares.
Some of the sustainability steps that Levi’s have taken over the years include:
– Establishing the Terms of Engagement (T.O.E) in 1991. This Code of Conduct outlines the ethical and environmental standards, as well as employee wellbeing standards that Levi’s adheres to. Not only that, but Levi’s business partners must also follow these standards and the T.O.E has since become an industry-wide standard for other apparel companies! This was truly a ground-breaking move.
– Becoming one of the founding members of the world’s largest sustainable cotton programs, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).
– Development of their innovative Water<Less™ program. The program consists of over 20 techniques that allow Levi’s to either reduce or re-use water through the production stage. Today, 68% of Levi’s products are made using these techniques and since 2011, they’ve managed to save more than 3 billion litres of water and recycle nearly 5 billion litres.
– Their Screened Chemistry Program, started in 2013. This program is designed to reduce the chemical impact on the environment by identifying safer chemical alternatives to use in their own production, as well as industry-wide.
– Project F.L.X. (Future Led Execution). A transformative laser-based technology that allows them to achieve the same denim finishes, and eliminate thousands of chemicals from the supply chain in the process.
Levi’s recently announced that it only takes a few small steps to start making a positive momentum change, but they also realise it takes the whole industry working together to make the change effective and lasting – and that is why Levi’s outsource their sustainability learnings and practices to other companies and brands within the industry. Levi’s is striving to get the message out that all environmentally-friendly companies should loudly state their intentions, so that those lagging behind will be held accountable. As for your favourite pair of Levi’s, you can wear them proudly knowing that you’re supporting a more sustainable fashion future.
Levi’s is a commercial partner of RESCU
