Levi Strauss & Co releases first sustainability report
28/09/2021
“LS&Co has been in business for more than 168 years because we make durable products that are built to last and because we proudly adhere to a guiding philosophy of profits through principles across our operations,” commented president and chief executive of the company, Chip Bergh.
“This is how we contribute to the establishment of a safer, more just, more sustainable future.”
Notably, the report outlines how the company worked to reduce its fibre impacts in 2020, such as through reassessing its supply chain to only work with manmade cellulosic fibre (MMCF) suppliers who use renewable energy and follow energy reduction programmes. (LS&Co has identified MMCFs as some of the most energy intensive raw materials it uses.)
The business also emphasised progress made using its flagship Water<Less programme, launched in 2011, which is intended to promote better water stewardship, including water recycling and water-efficient garment finishing techniques.
By the end of last year, for instance, 67% of all LS&Co products were produced using Water<Less finishing techniques or in facilities that either met or exceeded its water recycling and reuse guidelines, the group said. This was up from 61% the year previous.
Further highlights from the report included the company’s express commitment to increase its use of organic and transitional cotton (it typically takes farmers three years to transition over to fully organic growing practices), although it did not say by how much.
It also stated that it is actively exploring alternative natural fibres to cotton “that may have a lower environmental impact”, such as hemp. Hemp blends and cottonised hemp were singled out as less water-, chemical- and land area-intensive.
According to the organisation, ongoing research into and uptake of alternative fibres via partnerships and collections such as Wellthread will allow LS&Co to “go beyond limiting loss of biodiversity and move towards restoration”.
Find the full report here.
Image: LS&Co.
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