Sustainability Report 2021

Sustainability is here to stay, but just how far is the apparel supply chain willing to go to make a sincere impact on the environment if it hampers the bottom line?

While brands have pledged to shrink their carbon footprint by purchasing offsets that fund activities like reforestation or clean energy production, these actions are not a simple substitute for real emissions reduction.

And recent data indicates that apparel brands are dragging their feet when it comes to cutting their reliance on virgin plastics such as polyester, acrylic and nylon. Synthetic fibers, which are produced and sold cheaply, make up more than two-thirds (69 percent) of all materials used in textiles today, according to petrochemical analytics firm Tecnon OrbiChem. By 2030, they will comprise more than 75 percent, further drawing out the fashion industry’s dependence on continued fossil-fuel extraction amid a growing climate crisis.

But despite the slow pace of sustainability, there are plenty of positive movements to be excited about for the future.

While denim manufacturers look to remake their image as the biggest culprits of water waste, one federal government is approving a climate bill that introduces mandatory carbon labels for goods and services. These efforts, combined with the constant evolution of greener inputs, mark the beginnings for true industry change.

Download the report to discover:

• A deep dive into the costs associated with going green
• LVMH and Burberry’s new approaches to eco-friendly luxury fashion
• Why the microfiber “shedding” issue is becoming too big to ignore
• How the home industry is improving its approach to circularity
• International efforts to drive sustainability across manufacturing facilities in India and Sri Lanka
• How transportation and delivery companies are embracing electric vehicles and carbon neutral vessels across sea, air and land