One way to do this is to choose recy-
cled materials. This year, we launched
our first closed-loop denim collection using 20% recycled cotton from
collected clothes. We estimate that
each such denim saves up to 1,000
litres of water compared to using
only conventional virgin cotton.
During 2014, we also took important
steps in including fabric mills
involved in making about 35% of our
products into our supplier assess-
ment systems (s. 2.9). This is particularly
relevant in the sense that
these will be immediately enrolled
into our new assessment method
during 2015, which include improved
water impact measurement tools
(s. 2.6).
Additionally, we have expanded a
set of programmes that aim to help
fabric producers in particular to
improve their environmental footprints,
such as the Partnership for
Cleaner Textiles (PaCT) in Bangladesh
and the Better Mill Initiative
in China. Together with Solidaridad
and the Natural Resources Defense
Council (NRDC), we aim to improve
the production efficiency of more
than 30 printing and dyeing mills
in China over a three-year period.