LS&Co. Unzipped
Dec 05 2012
A Roadmap for Change
You may have seen reports of a campaign by Greenpeace International, targeting apparel companies and the chemicals used in apparel manufacturing. It’s an important and complex issue.
At Levi Strauss & Co., we’ve long been known for our fact-based work in the area of sustainability, and you’ll find examples throughout our history. We’ve focused not just on inventing and reinventing blue jeans, but also on challenging ourselves to craft them in ways that are better for the environment, for those who wear them, and for the people who make them.
Along the way, we’ve taken leadership roles. We were one of the first companies to develop EPA-level water quality requirements for all of the factories that make our products. And, as one of the first companies to establish a Restricted Substances List, we’ve taken great care to ban chemicals that potentially cause harm to consumers.
We want to be clear: Our products are safe for consumers. Testing demonstrates that the chemicals analyzed on Levi’s® products are not known to constitute any direct health risk to the wearers of the clothing.
We’re also taking other actions. We’re part of the Better Cotton Initiative, which is reducing chemical use in cotton production. And we’re active in the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a multi-stakeholder, industry collaboration working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products around the world.
In terms of the chemicals used to produce our jeans, we’ve decided to take a significant step –recognizing that to truly change the system, we can’t act alone.
Earlier this year, we joined key industry partners Nike, Adidas, H&M and others on the Joint Roadmap toward Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals. The goal? Zero discharge of hazardous chemicals by 2020.
This is not going to be easy. It will require investment, innovation and perseverance to develop additional green alternatives and change the way this industry has “always done things.” The apparel supply chain is long, complex and global – with suppliers manufacturing for multiple brands, often located in industrial parks with multiple industries, not just apparel brands.
It is going to take more than us and the other 8 companies that have joined this Roadmap effort to change the industry. We are encouraging other companies and stakeholders to work with us on this path, which has clear milestones and positive, long-term outcomes.
We also know from experience that leading change can thrust us in the spotlight, inviting opinions and feedback. Our steadfast focus is on what it’s always been - working with the most informed, capable and dedicated partners who will help us collectively achieve responsible and lasting change.
As is the case with any complex undertaking, there’s more than one way to get where we’re going. But we believe the Joint Roadmap – with its transparent milestones and commitment to substantive progress – is the right long term approach for Levi Strauss & Co.
We’ve always put more pressure on ourselves than others have to find new and better ways to make the products you love. That commitment will never change.
Posted By: Michael Kobori, Vice-President, Sustainability, Levi Strauss & Co. |
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Martine (not verified) - Dec 11 2012
Vos justifications sont très insuffisantes au regard des prétentions que vous affichez. Aussi, jusqu'à ce que vous ayez supprimé les produits toxiques de vos produits, je les boycotte et me tourne vers d'autres marques comme "Esprit qui se joint ainsi aux plus grandes marques de textile du monde : Zara, mais aussi la marque espagnole Mango (qui a également bougé cette semaine) et Marks & Spencer. Tous ont pris de manière publique des engagements crédibles et ambitieux pour entrer en phase de Detox !" La balle est dans votre camp, soyez à la hauteur de vos ambitions relayées par vos publicités.
Editor's note: Hi Martine. I encourage you to read our updated blog post and action plan here, and, also, the latest from Greenpeace, here. Thanks for your comment.
Emma Bohlin (not verified) - Dec 08 2012
Hi, so I was googeling around for Levi's clothes online and came across the Greenpeace articles. Found it all quite disturbing, so when i came to the online shop I sent an email asking about the toxines, to get some information on how they would affect me as a customer and most of all the environment. Didn't get any answer, though. So would you like to answer my question here in the blog (The Question: what are the chemicals and what do they do to people/environment?), or do you leave that to Greenpeace?
Editor's note: Hello, and thanks for your comment. I encourage you to read our updated action plan here. Also, a new blog post by Greenpeace, here.
Ryan (not verified) - Dec 07 2012
I'm seeing problems in the nature of these responses. I'm no environmentalist, so I won't claim to be, but to strengthen your defense with the use of a "restricted substance" list (which, isn't so much restricted as frowned-upon) and digress into end consumer rather than the issue at hand seems insufficient. These people targeting LEVI's aren't worried about the product itself or this company being "pioneers"; rather, their aim is to drive a consciousness about the impact placed upon communities surrounding production facilities. I want to see this company rise out of this situation as the premeir beacon of fortitude and respect; harkening in full to the standards that have always been put into place. Instead of defending or debunking, maybe a conference should be constructed at which LEVI's and Greenpeace set the bar as a partnership.
Editor's note: As it turns out, we met yesterday with Greenpeace. Please see our updated action plan here. Also, a story here on the Greenpeace International site.
Ivan Galicia (not verified) - Dec 07 2012
As cosumers we that clothing companies be sure to do not pollute our countries, water is a big problem in Mexico, we don´t need that foreing companies come an pollute our water. Please take an action on this.
Editor's note: Hi Ivan, and thank you for your comment. We are taking action. Please see our updated action plan here. Also, you may want to read this update on the Greenpeace International site.
Bethan (not verified) - Dec 06 2012
I read an article on the campaign, and as I understand it is targeting the use of chemicals that are dangerous to the surrounding areas and populations: so nothing to do with the end consumer. What is LS&Co.'s response to that issue? Is it known that the manufacturers and dye locations used are not contributing to the pollution of the areas they are based in? And is it known that the people who are working to make the product are not at any risk for their health?
Editor’s note: Hi Bethan, and thanks for your comment. You’re right – the issue raised has to do with environmental impact, but we wanted to make it clear that our products are safe to wear.
As for the manufacturing process, we’ve long been committed to worker safety and protecting the planet. Just today, Dec. 6, 2012, we’ve announced even more aggressive company commitments regarding apparel manufacturing. We plan to stop producing products with perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) by July 2016. And we’re taking additional measures to fully enforce our ban on alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEOs), chemicals used in many aspects of manufacturing including some fabric detergents. Toward that end, we'll enhance both the training and auditing of our supply chain. Additionally, we’ll pilot supplier transparency of discharge of hazardous chemicals in 10 facility locations and share those outcomes by the end of 2013.
As noted, we were one of the first companies in the industry to establish a Restricted Substance List, which identifies chemicals prohibited in the manufacturing process. And we were the first company in the industry to establish water quality requirements for our finishing facilities. We want to continue to lead in this area.
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