MARKETING AND COMMS -
In response to growing demand for sustainable apparel products, Kering and London College of Fashion, UAL (LCF) are launching the world’s first open-access digital course in luxury fashion and sustainability.
WASTE NOT -
As increasing emphasis is being placed on circularity, the concept of planned obsolescence is being called into question. While it has long been criticized by consumers, brands and governments are finally beginning to recognize that the short-term strategy has no place in the low-carbon economy — and are taking action to promote transparency and resource efficiency.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Primark, a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has developed a new online tool that is helping usher in a new era of transparency for the retailer. The Global Sourcing Map allows consumers to access information about the 1071 factories and suppliers that make up the company’s supply chain.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Sustainable production standards for clothing continue to rise, with attention to sustainable materials and practices becoming a more integral part of the global apparel industry. In an effort to mitigate its impact on the environment, the sector has been taking important steps toward more sustainable product solutions.
But are we doing enough?
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Growing consumer demand for apparel and consumer products made in socially and environmentally responsible ways continues to drive companies away from a business-as-usual model. But corporate behavior isn’t the only thing being influenced by shifting consumer attitudes — the concept of the ideal partner is also being shaped by sustainability.
COLLABORATION -
Coinciding with New York Fashion Week, Unilever and global thrift retailer Savers announced a new partnership to draw attention to the issue of clothing waste. As they say, timing is everything.
The two organizations collaborated for the latest iteration of Savers’ I Give a Sh!rt campaign, an awareness movement that aims to shed light on the 10.5 million tons of clothing that are discarded every year.
PRESS RELEASE -
Gildan has been included in the 2018 RobecoSAM Sustainability Yearbook for the sixth consecutive year. This year, the company received the Bronze Class distinction. RobecSAM’s Sustainability Yearbook is one of the world’s most comprehensive publications on corporate sustainability. The index has been built using a selection of criteria that best captures a company’s quality of management and its potential to create long-term value.
“We are proud, once again, to be a part of the RobecoSAM Yearbook in the category: Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods industry, knowing that over the years inclusion in the index became more difficult and only the top 15% of the companies within each industry are selected,” said Claudia Sandoval, VP, Corporate Citizenship, Gildan.
CLEANTECH -
A new textiles economy is on the horizon as innovative textile and chemical firms develop new chemical- and petroleum-free processes to produce fabrics and materials.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
A garment’s country of origin isn’t that garment’s full story. Canadian belt manufacturer Unbelts is looking to prove that the fashion industry and consumers have a responsibility and an existing means to provide high-quality clothing-production jobs around the world. Plus, this 2017 Best for the World honoree is out to make women feel awesome in their pants — a goal that is also worthy of global adoption.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
News Deeply, in partnership with Sustainable Brands, has produced a series of profiles looking at how brands are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. The goal is to examine trends and gather insights from a new wave of corporate citizenship — in an era when the private sector is increasingly expected to play a positive role in improving our lives and societies. This is the 16th article in the series.
WALKING THE TALK -
Fashion and textile industry heavy-hitters are heeding the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s recent call for a New Textiles Economy with the rollout of new agreements and action plans that consider the full life cycle of garments.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
In response to the success of its “Blue Planet II” nature documentary series and the substantial social media response that followed, the BBC will launch two new programs that explore the impact of plastics and textiles on the environment.
WASTE NOT -
Circular design principles continue to infiltrate the fashion industry as fast fashion giants and emerging labels alike turn their attention to sustainable activewear.
Despite recent criticism over its decision to send its discarded clothing to Swedish incinerators, H&M continues to stride forward on its mission to accelerate the circular fashion movement.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
A new mapping tool created by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and China’s Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE) is ushering in a new era for transparency in China. The IPE Green Supply Chain Map — the only of its kind in the world — openly links multinational corporations to their suppliers’ environmental performance.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
Change Your Shoes, an international campaign working towards a more equitable and sustainable footwear industry, has published a new report providing an overview of best practices in the shoe industry in an effort to encourage progress on workers’ rights.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The global apparel sector is becoming more open to a circular economy both on a technical and a business model level. The latter is of particular importance, as it implies a shift from ownership to use so that materials and apparel are provided as a service, not a product to be rapidly discarded. These new business models are fundamental for the systemic change of the sector and will result in better use of materials and support better working conditions.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Circularity is slowing making its way into the fashion industry, aiming to transform one of the most polluting sectors into a shining example of sustainability, but it still has a long way to go before it can truly shed its bad reputation. Technology has been an important driver of change, allowing brands to improve efficiencies and reduce impacts, but the sharing of resources and best practices is proving to be just as critical in nudging the industry forward towards a circular future.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Sustainable products geeks rejoice, for 'tis once again the season of giving! And what better way to celebrate and participate than with gifts whose buying and giving creates more cheer, health, beauty and financial stability while eliminating waste, pollution and carbon emissions around the world? Here are just a few of our favorite discoveries this year of products we'd be proud to give.
Waste Not
You know we’re big fans of upcycling, here at SB! Here are just a few of the waste-turned-products we loved this year:
PRESS RELEASE -
The companies will invest in the construction of a demonstration plant in Denmark.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
2017 was a big year for the circular economy, with innovative new products, initiatives and tech tools popping up almost daily, and making it easier than every for corporates and consumers alike to engage in circularity.
An initiative of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders, The Circulars are awarded to individuals, companies (from startups to multinationals) and public and social organizations in recognition for their contributions to the circular economy. This year, 43 innovators have been nominated for pushing the circular agenda forward and paving the way for others in their field.