Levi Strauss has put five new chemicals on its phase-out list as part of a continued effort to improve its commitment to environmental sustainability through its manufacturing supply chain.

The five substances which have been put on the list as part of Levi’s two yearly Restricted Substances List (RSL) update include PVC – often found in screen printing systems. The giant jeanswear company is now encouraging suppliers to use water-based (PVC-free) printing systems instead and also intends to phase out the use of phthalate plasticisers. Phthalates give flexibility to PVC prints on t-shirts and other garments. Phthalate use is already prohibited for children products, but Levi’s is now also encouraging its suppliers to use phthalate-free chemicals for adult products.

Other chemicals on the new phase-out list include alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs), which are often found in detergent, soap or chemical mixtures as surfactant and in wetting agents for scouring (see Ecotextile News, April 2008, p. 35). The company will in future prohibit the use of D4 siloxane which may be found in residual traces in certain silicone softeners along with a chemical called Bisphenol-A which is not likely to be used in the production of textiles but may be found in resins.

“Levi Strauss &Co seeks to reduce the impact of our and our suppliers’ business processes on the environment, and the phase-out list is an important step in realizing this commitment,” said Sean Cady, LS&CO. Director of Environment, Health and Safety. “The RSL is a critical element of LS&CO.’s responsible sourcing program,” Cady continued. “It helps us ensure product quality, protect the health and safety of our consumers and further our environmental objectives.”

Levi Strauss updates its RSL every two years to reflect developments in production methods, legal requirements, scientific understanding and the company’s sustainability priorities.

This chemical phase-out list applies to chemicals used in the manufacture of Levi Strauss products and raw materials. While it says suppliers are encouraged to find alternatives to these five substances it acknowledges “certain challenges may prevent an immediate cessation of use,” adding that it will, “continue to support efforts to identify alternatives to these phase-out chemicals with the goal of prohibiting their use at a future time.” Copyright © 2008 Mowbray Communications Ltd  

M&S have just released statistics that by banning free plastic bags from its retail shops its has led to an 80% cut in bags being handed out.  The store chain made a landmark decision at the beginning of May to start charging 5p for the bags, to encourage a switch to green reusable alternatives.

Over the past ten weeks, 70 million fewer have been handed out at its tills compared with the same period a year ago. 

Famous advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi has produced a masterclass in enviro-nonsense down under in sunny, drought-ridden Australia. The designer media glasses brigade (no stereotypes here, thank you!) has come up with a brilliant scheme to promote the fact that Australia has bought some carbon offsets.

They have made a car out of grass. Then parked it outside the company’s head office, and in other smart locations. Saatchi seems confident the idea will be hugely successful somehow, proudly boasting on its website:

“From June 2008, the print ads will feature in a range of national and metro publications as well as environmental features and supplements.” Good news for Saatchi, but does a grass car promoting carbon offsets really help anyone that much, apart from Saatchi’s bank balance? Greenwasher doubts it.

Source: Ethical Corporation

The Green New Deal Group has put out a warning that it is imperative that we look at ways of solving current problems of climate change, energy and finance before its too late and the statistic they are using is that if nothing is done, in less than a decade there will be catastrophic problems world wide.

The groups proposal includes major investment in renewable energy and the creation of thousands of new ‘green collar’ jobs.The worry of rising greenhouse gas emissions, combined with escalating food and energy costs mean the globe is facing one of its biggest crises since the 1930’s.

Andrew Simms, a founder member warns “that the combination of the current credit crunch, rising energy prices and accelerating emissions are conspiring to create the perfect storm”.he continues, “Instead of desperate bailing-out, we need a comprehensive plan and new course to navigate each obstacle in this new phenomenon”.

The group’s recommendations include:

1. Massive investment in renewable energy and wider transformation in the UK

2. The creation of thousands of new “green collar” jobs

3. Making low-cost capital available to fund the UK’s green economic shift

4. Building a new alliance between environmentalists, industry, agriculture and unions   

What can you do:

1. Walk, cycle, take public transport or consider a car-pool whenever possible. 2. Reduce your travel by air.

3. If you need a car, buy the most fuel-efficient or one that runs on bio-diesel or natural gas.

4. Service your car regularly - keeping the engine tuned and your car tyres at the maximum recommended air pressure saves petrol.

5. Live as close to work as possible.

6. Shop locally rather than in out of town superstores.

7. Switch your investments away from fossil fuels to renewable energy companies, or exercise your right as a shareholder to pressure energy companies to make the transition to renewables.

8. Buy regionally and seasonally produced organic food whenever possible.

9. Boycott the products of companies like Esso that are obstructing the transition to renewables.

What governments can do:

10. Lobby your political representatives to press them to act, and vote accordingly.

11. Accept a target of phasing out oil & gas use within 50 years.

12. Discontinue all direct and indirect subsidies to the oil & gas industry.

13. Refuse licenses for the exploration and development of new oil & gas reserves.

14. Provide investment, grants, and tax breaks for the development and purchase of clean renewable alternatives to oil and for energy efficient vehicles.

15. Increase investment in public transport.

16. Pedestrianise city centres and introduce congestion charges in all cities.

17. Require car makers to ensure an escalating proportion of their vehicle fleet sales consists of petrol- free vehicles.

18. Increase minimum energy standards for vehicles.

19. Change tariff policies on imports to support the local consumption of goods (particularly food) that have been produced locally.

 What businesses can do:

20. Phase out subsidies to industrial food production, which is petrol-intensive, and support conversion to methods instead.

21. Oil & Gas companies should commit to converting themselves into renewable energy companies, and redirect their investments accordingly.

22. Car makers should commit to mass- manufacture cars now that run on hydrogen fuel cells or other renewable fuels, and that use lighter materials.

23. Companies should convert their truck and car fleets to the lowest petrol-consuming vehicles available.

24. Companies should provide incentives for employees to leave their cars at home and use public transport instead, reduce air travel and promote telecommuting.

25. Companies should site their offices close to public transportation.

26. Retailers should adopt a purchasing policy that provides preference to goods from short supply routes and regional markets.

27. Companies should sift freight out of trucks and onto rail and waterways.

28. Farmers should convert from industrial to organic farming methods.

29. The plastics & packaging industries should replace their oil with corn, soybean potato starch or limestone derivatives.

30. The clothing industry should use vegetable starch and natural fibres, such as wool and cotton, instead of oil derivatives in their products.  

The debate has moved on, the public understand the necessity to take action on climate change, there is now the problem of mix messages, confusion and potential fatigue.  The Guardian Climate Change Summit aims to shed some light on how we can move forward with this issue in a constructive way and with a mix of senior executives and decision makers the summit will  discuss strategies to keep the consumer engaged and fight against climate change. Summit takes place today 16th July.  

Professor Tony Ryan, University of Sheffield, and artist and designer Helen Storey, London College of Fashion have worked together for 3 years to create real solutions for a more sustainable world.

The Wonderland Exhibition brings together the worlds of art and science and will be shown in Sheffield citywide event between 18^th  June and 13^TH July

The project has developed a number of products, in varying stages of completion. The exhibition in Sheffield will demonstrate two of these: dissolving bottles and disappearing dresses.

Dissolving bottles
The dissolving bottles, to be shown at the city’s Botanical Gardens, are an exploration of intelligent packaging. Once finished with, the bottles dissolve under hot water to form a gel in which seeds can be grown. The concept could revolutionise the packaging industry and aims to highlight issues surrounding waste plastic.

Disappearing dresses
The disappearing dresses will be on show at Meadowhall Shopping Centre. They are made from dissolving textiles designed Trish Belford at Interface, at the University of Ulster. The material dissolves in water, creating vibrant underwater fireworks. The dresses will be hung from scaffolds and gradually lowered into giant goldfish bowls of water. The exhibition questions the environmental sustainability of our current fashion industry and what happens to used clothing.

Events and exhibitions will also be held at Sheffield’s Millennium Galleries and the University of Sheffield.  

 Source: www.wonderland-sheffield.co.uk 

The Carbon Trust openly talks about the perception that green initiatives from businesses are more focused on smoke and mirrors than emission cuts.  This is why the trust has come up with the ‘Carbon Reduction Award Scheme.  In order for companies to get recognition, they need to measure and reduce their carbon footprint year on year.  Only cuts made directly will count, rooting out companies relying heavily on offsetting to cut their emissions.

This scheme should go some way in helping towards restoring consumers’ trust in business’ green claims.

www.carbontruststandard.com