Levi’s, Marks & Spencer join zero deforestation campaign
25 major retailers, designers and brands have joined a deforestation-free initiative
A group of 25 major companies including Levi Strauss & Co., Marks & Spencer, Portico Brands and ASOS have joined a new campaign to ensure their fabric sourcing doesn’t contribute to deforestation.
The Fashion Loved by Forests campaign has been launched by the non-profit Canadian forest conservation group Canopy, which specialises in deforestation-free material in fashion industries.
Cellulosic fabrics including rayon, viscose, modal and lyocell are sourced from forests and research conducted by Canopy has found that endangered forests are increasingly being used to source the material.
The initiative sparked a lot of interest after announcing the involvement of EcoPlanet Bamboo, a certified bamboo plantation.
Vice President of Sustainability for Levi Strauss & Co., Michael Kobori says “We look forward to working with other apparel companies, as well as with our suppliers and Canopy to increase transparency and traceability in our supply chain and ensure that the world’s ancient and endangered forests are not used to make our products.”
As part of the campaign, more than 25 brands, retailers and designers, representing more than US$75 billion in annual sales have committed to eliminate their use of fabrics that contain endangered forest fiber.
They will also engage suppliers to move away from any endangered forest sourcing, develop long-term conservation solutions and alternative fabric options that are more sustainable such as recycled fabrics or non-wood fibers like straw.
Nicole Rycroft, Executive Director of Canopy, said: “The largest and most iconic clothing brands on earth are sending clear signals that are growing in strength and conviction: no more ancient and endangered forest fiber in our fashions. Systemic change in fiber sourcing is becoming unavoidable.”
Michael Kobori, Vice President of Sustainability for Levi Strauss & Co., said: “Building on our long-standing commitment to sustainability, Levi Strauss & Co. is joining this effort to address the sustainable sourcing of forest-based fabrics. We look forward to working with other apparel companies, as well as with our suppliers and Canopy, to increase transparency and traceability in our supply chain and ensure that the world’s ancient and endangered forests are not used to make our products.”
Fiona Wheatley, Sustainable Development Manager at Marks & Spencer, said: “We’re embracing the vision and are ready to work with our peers to create real change on the ground to ensure a bright future for threatened forests. This is an important initiative for the fashion industry. If we act now we can eradicate deforestation from the supply chains of man-made fibers”.
