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.

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)"

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Strategies for sustainability in the global apparel industry

34 pages, published 4th Quarter 2011 

Report price: Euro 600.00; US$ 785.00 

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