LS&Co. Unzipped
Sep 16 2010
We're Surrounded. (And It's a Good Thing.)
If there’s anything I like less than moving, I can’t think of it right now. Oh, okay. War. Pestilence. Hunger. Stuff like that. But moving isn’t far behind. Even the obligatory moving cuisine of beer and pizza can’t make the badness go away.
We’ve just wrapped up moving day at the home office of Levi Strauss & Co. Many of my colleagues and I had been holed up in temporary quarters – just across the way here at Levi’s Plaza – while workers fully renovated the main building.
This week has been spent doing our regular work – and getting settled in our new space.
But the move wasn’t so bad. Not just because our newly renovated building features views of Coit Tower, the bay and other San Francisco landmarks. But also because of how the remodel was done.
Think green. And blue.
The approach to the renovation was to minimize its impact – and do things in an environmentally friendly way. So, green.
Our goal is LEED certification for green building practices. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings
And blue?
Well, that’s the color of the building insulation that surrounds us. It’s recycled denim. Shredded and turned into a material that will reduce heating and air conditioning costs – and keep my music from bothering the boss, who sits next door. That's a picture of it at the top of this post.
The remodel even included some windows in the walls in a few places to let you see the insulation.
Learn more about denim insulation here.
So if you make Levi Strauss & Co.’s home office one of your stops on the San Francisco tourist trail, rest assured the folks who work here are well protected from the often cool temperatures outside…by recycled denim on the inside.
Oh, and by their Levi’s® jeans and Dockers® pants, as well.
Posted By: Cory Warren, Editor, LS&Co. Unzipped |
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Tags: Cotton and Raw Materials,Denim,Dockers®,Dockers®,Energy,Levi Strauss & Co.,Levi's®,Levi's®,Social Responsibility,Sustainability |
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2013
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Irwin Gray (not verified) - Mar 22 2013
I like the idea of recycling worn out denims as insulation. However, it has been my impression that bugs (like roaches, termites, etc.) don't like glass wool or asbestos because it "itches" them. Now, I don't know if the latter is true, but I used to work (many years ago) for my dad who was a plumbing contractor. We took apart many a kitchen, many a wall, and many a floor. Where the insulation was glass or asbestos, there were generally no bugs around the insulation and certainly none in it. So, how would Levi recycled material stand up to the insects and roaches that can infest a house? Also, glass wool does not burn and certainly asbestos does not. But I can see the recycled jeans burning like mad unless you did something to the material. Could you please comment on this? Sincerely, Irwin Gray
Editor's note: Hi Irwin and thanks for your comment. We don't actually manufacture recycled denim insulation, so we can't speak to how it's made nor how pests would react to it. Your best bet would be to reach out to a recycled denim manufacturer, such as Bonded Logic, to see what they have to say about pest control and their product.
nurnPesse (not verified) - Mar 29 2011
You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material
Google sketchup (not verified) - Jan 02 2011
I very adore your own posting choice, very remarkable.
Google maps uk (not verified) - Jan 01 2011
I think it would be FABULOUS!
Diario Extra (not verified) - Dec 31 2010
Good luck getting people behind this one. Though you make some VERY fascinating points, youre going to have to do more than bring up a few things that may be different than what weve already heard. What are trying to say here? What do you want us to think? It seems like you cant really get behind a unique thought. Anyway, thats just my opinion.
Baby looney tunes (not verified) - Dec 28 2010
Pretty insightful post. Never thought that it was this simple after all. I had spent a good deal of my time looking for someone to explain this subject clearly and you’re the only one that ever did that. Kudos to you! Keep it up
guiltyconscience (not verified) - Nov 09 2010
That's awesome! I currently live in a LEED certified building. No more guilty conscience. Great to see you guys use innovative blue technology to benefit the earth and your employees....
Gleemonex (not verified) - Sep 16 2010
Mike Holmes used some of this stuff when he was fixing a house in SoCal for the Ellen show! Love it. Glad to see the company thinking green & using blue. :-)
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