Since manufacturers are being increasingly scrutinized for their manufacturing processes in the fashion industry and consumers are increasing their demands in response to fast-fashion trends, it has never been more important for clothing manufacturers to consult and de-risk their approaches to minimize environmental impacts and ensure the long-term safety of their businesses. These five areas represent equally critical elements of the textile and clothing industry in ensuring an environmentally conscious production process.
There is an array of eco-friendly materials at the disposal of clothing manufacturers both large and small. Priority is given to using organic materials that reduce or eliminate the use of harmful chemicals, solvents, dyes, and treatment processes. A growing number of fashion companies are also utilizing recycled materials, either partially or completely. Clothing made from 'rapid renewables' like bamboo is becoming more popular than cotton. In addition to growing faster, it doesn't require pesticides, absorbs more CO2, and requires less maintenance.
Designing and producing products in an environmentally conscious manner can help to establish a corporate identity that will become more salient as environmental issues become more pressing. By creating and marketing designs that have improved durability, improved functionality and less resource-intensive production processes, companies can de-risk their development from the pitfalls of fast fashion and acquire new customers by emphasizing quality and eco-consciousness. This could be done by ensuring that all outsourced materials and design elements are fully recycled or by utilizing natural dyes that will not fade and are easier to dispose of. Most importantly, communicating the intent behind designs will assist consumers in adapting their thinking towards longer-term purchases.
To reduce the environmental impact of their products, clothing companies must ensure they use efficient and sustainable supply chains and logistics. This includes sourcing materials within the country of production or using the least damaging mode of transportation to get there. Using a carbon-neutral delivery partner as well as recycling and optimizing packaging for space will help to ensure a holistic approach to managing risk when shipping to consumers.
As part of its efforts to become climate positive, Danish fashion house 'Bestseller' has partnered with a carbon-neutral shipping company using biofuel. Whether by ocean, rail or lorry, there are numerous logistics providers who have adapted to this model to accommodate the demands of the fashion industry.
By making all internal communication 100% digital, we are not only saving tons of paper each year, but also making our overall operations more efficient. Better communication improves operations. Real-time, mobile communication is becoming an increasingly popular way to facilitate frontline manufacturing workers.
Communicating in real-time has multiple benefits:
- Alerts other workers of any hazards and equipment failures which is critical for safety
- Keeps up with high manufacturing pace by communicating important messages (like shift-changes) fast
- It saves time and money by being able to send (and receive) messages instantly (no bulletin boards)
- Improves coordination between employees
- Improves coordination between employees and managers
- Enables employees to manage AI, robots, and cobots using mobile tech tools
Communicating in real-time has multiple benefits:
A digitally connected workforce is faster, safer, more productive, and greener.
Mobile-first communication tools allow employees to become partners with their peers, managers, and even machines.
This also rebrands the manufacturing plants into green, tech-advanced plants that attract new talents to workforce— millennials.
Every employee has the right to work in a safe, fair, and respectful environment that promotes equal opportunity and prohibits harassment and discrimination. Only by maintaining a positive, inclusive work environment can we all take full advantage of our colleagues' skills, creativity, and talent. In order to achieve this objective, we adopted a policy against harassment and discrimination. The purpose of this Policy is to prevent, detect, and respond to all forms of discrimination and harassment worldwide.
This code of conduct reflects our values along with information, guidance, and additional resources that will assist you in understanding how ethical and compliant decision-making is critical to us. The company and its affiliates expect all employees, managers, officers and Executive Board members to live up to the high standards we set. Employees must also confirm compliance with the code of conduct and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
Our Workplace Standards protect the health and safety of our suppliers' workers. Standards follow the model code of conduct of the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), based on international law and the International Labour Organization (ILO). In order to communicate how we expect our suppliers to live up to our Standards, we have developed a number of supporting guidelines that explain how we expect them to operate their factories in an environmentally sound and healthy manner.
Our Compliance Policy specifies our understanding, position, and handling of compliance issues pertaining to Bribery and Corruption, Gifts and Entertainment, Fraud and Theft, Antitrust and Competition Law, Conflicts of Interest, and Non-Retaliation.
As part of our Integrated Management System (IMS) Policy, we direct our business entities worldwide to manage their operations in a safe, healthy, energy-efficient and environmentally responsible manner. The policy documents all our company's health & safety, environmental, and energy management systems, including its brands, functions, sites, and locations.
The company has established standards and rules that specify its responsibilities towards its global workforce. We are committed to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the company's charter which guides several corporate policies that implement that commitment in day-to-day practice.
We have a zero-tolerance stance on forced labour, human trafficking and slavery.
The policy documents key privacy concepts as well as the core components of a privacy management program. In addition, it prescribes roles and responsibilities for operationalizing privacy management within an international organization. The management of external privacy enquiries is an important component of privacy management.
Working with our global and multi-layered supply chain partners, we are committed to ensuring that sourcing and purchasing decisions, as well as other supporting processes, do not prevent our Workplace Standards from being met.
We believe migrant workers should not have to pay recruitment fees or costs to secure employment. From the moment of recruitment to the time of employment, and throughout their further employment or safe return, the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity seek to enhance the respect for migrant workers' rights.
