Laundries in American Eagle’s sights as part of water reduction move
US retailer American Eagle Outfitters has published its second environmental, social and governance report showing it reduced water use per pair of jeans by 38% in 2022, surpassing its initial water reduction goal one year early.
The company claims to have saved 4 billion gallons of water across jeans factories since the launch of the company’s Water Leadership Program in 2017 and recycled 9 million gallons of water at laundries in 2022.
AEO has achieved or exceeded several environmental goals and has added the following targets:
• recycle 70% of total water used in denim laundries by 2025;
• reduce its water footprint by 30% by 2028 across its own operations, and strategic factories and mills;
• commit to net-zero emissions by 2050;
• reduce virgin plastic by 50% and reduce total plastic footprint by 30% by 2028; and
• use sustainable sources for 75% of all fibres by 2028.
CEO Jay Schottenstein said: “We are proud to release our second ESG report to highlight greater transparency and our ongoing commitment to building a better world. Every day we strive to make lasting improvements across our organisation that will lead to a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Image: American Eagle Outfitters created an installation in NYC celebrating the back-to-school season, with mannequins featuring hundreds of denim styles.
