Strategies for Sustainability in the Global Apparel Industry

November 2011 | 34 pages | ID: S50D5BF0AEFEN
Textiles Intelligence Ltd

Abstracts

The textile and apparel industry has become increasingly eco-conscious, as companies have come under scrutiny for the negative impact their operations have on the environment and on society. Textile Exchange - an organisation which foresees a sustainable future for the textile and apparel industry - hosts an annual conference which provides an opportunity for brands, retailers, manufacturers, consumers, media and pressure groups to learn about the key sustainability issues in the industry. The most recent such event was held in Barcelona, Spain, during September 2011. This report offers vital insight and analysis into strategies for sustainability in the global apparel industry which were presented at the conference. It looks at the ways companies are trying to mitigate their harmful impacts on society and the environment, and how collaboration, transparency and integrity are helping them to do this. There is also an overview of the main certification systems for sustainable textiles and apparel as well as the latest innovations in apparel sustainability. In addition, the report provides insight into work by a number of companies and organisations in the area of sustainability, including Adidas, Anti Fraud Initiative (AFI), Arkema, bioRe, bluesign technologies, Chetna, Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), Control Union Certifications, Egedeniz Textile, Greenpeace, GreenXchange, Huntsman Textile Effects, Ingeo, Institute for Marketecology (IMO), International Working Group (IWG), Lenzing, MADE-BY, Nike, Oeko-Tex, Orta Anadolu, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), Remei, Sanko Tekstil, Sofila, Solidaridad, Sorona, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Unitika Fibers and Yeh Group.

Contents

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

What is sustainability?
Sustainability in the textile and apparel industry
Role of textile exchange
Textile exchange sustainable textiles conference

THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY

Cotton
Wool
Synthetic fibres
Cellulosic fibres
Environmental impact of chemical usage in the apparel industry
Environmental impact of water and energy usage in the apparel industry
Transportation
Retailing
Water and energy use in apparel care
Environmental impact of waste generation
Working conditions and sustainability in the apparel industry

COLLABORATION TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY

The sustainable apparel coalition
GreenXchange
Cotton partnerships
Remei and bioRe
Chetna and Solidaridad
Egedeniz Textile

TRANSPARENCY: AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL SUPPLY CHAIN

Nike: Material Sustainability Index

IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY IN BUSINESS PRACTICES ALONG THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL SUPPLY CHAIN

Greenwashing
Risk from consumers, pressure groups and the use of social media
Greenpeace: Detox campaign
Anti-fraud initiatives in organic cotton farming

MAIN CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES AND APPAREL

Textile Exchange: CCS Standard
Textile Exchange: OE Standards
Global Recycle Standard (GRS)
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Bluesign
Oeko-Tex
Institute for Marketecology (IMO)

INNOVATIONS IN APPAREL SUSTAINABILITY

Yeh Group: DryDye
Huntsman Textile Effects: Avitera SE
Bio synthetics
Bio synthetic polyester fibres
Bio synthetic nylon fibres
Orta Anadolu: Orta Blu and Alchemy One
Sanko Tekstil: Zeugma
Nike: environmentally preferred rubber (EPR)