Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine July' 17 | Page 32

SUSTAINABILITY HAVE YOUR SAY BREAKING NEWS Tell us your news by emailing at [email protected] To read the latest sustainability news, go to http://news.apparelresources.com/sustainability-news/  Zara, H&M and M&S buy materials from polluting units in Asia: Report Renowned fast fashion brands like Zara, H&M and Marks & Spencer are buying materials produced in factories that are harmful to human health, states a report. Sadly, the investigation says that these polluting factories exist mostly in China, Indonesia and India. The water supplies are getting contaminated by the toxic run-off from the manufacture of viscose, eventually leading to risk of cancer. According to Changing Markets Foundation, though viscose, a plant-based fibre is environment-friendly, most of them are produced by using chemical-intensive process, making them all the more harmful. In Indonesia, there have been instances wherein locals were found washing viscose products in the river, thereby exposing themselves directly to the toxic chemicals. Also at a plant in Jiangxi, China, production of viscose turned Lake Poyang into black, killing fish and other sea creatures. In India too, Madhya Pradesh, which is home to a large viscose plant, several families are reportedly suffering from cancer after the soil got contaminated. As per the Foundation, cheap production, which is driven by the fast fashion industry, along with liberal enforcement of environmental regulations in China, India and Indonesia, is proving to be a toxic mix. “This report reveals that some of the world’s biggest brands are turning a blind eye to questionable practices within their supply chains. With water pollution increasingly being recognised as a major business risk, shifting to more sustainable production processes should be high on the agenda of retailers,” averred a manager at Changing Markets Foundation. The Group also added that large fashion brands like Zara and H&M have such a significant purchasing power that they can actually put pressure on suppliers to clean up their methods with relatively little effort. In fact the Group has said that since 10 companies control almost 70 per cent of global viscose production, there are opportunities for a rapid change. C&A launches C2C certified gold T-shirts Dutch fashion retailer C&A has recently launched the world’s first Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Gold products in its stores in 18 European markets. Certified at gold level by the Cradle-to-Cradle Product Innovation Institute (C2CPII), the recyclable T-shirts are made of 100 per cent organic cotton, with safe materials and chemicals and produced in a socially and environmentally responsible way. The styles were developed in close partnership with Fashion for Good. Fashion for Good is a global partnership that unites apparel producers, retailers, non-profit organizations, innovators and funders with the shared ambition to transform the apparel industry into a circular one. Additionally, the dyes used in the colouration of the shirts, which are available in two styles and 17 colours, were selected from the range of DyStar Levafix® and Remazol® reactive dyes which received C2C Gold Level certification for Material Health from C2CPII last year. With this honour, the DyStar Group strives to be part of a more sustainable future and a growing circular economy reaffirming its commitment to environmental and human health. VFC bags recognition for its HR operations VF Corporation, an American worldwide apparel and footwear company founded in 1899 and headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, has been recognized for its human resource operations by Workforce Magazine. The company has been named in the publication’s “2017 Workforce 100” list. “Our ongoing commitment to make VF the best possible place to work is one we take seriously,” said Anita Graham, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, VF Corporation, adding, “We have incorporated a 32 Apparel Online Bangladesh | JULY 2017 | www.apparelresources.com talent focus in our Global Business Strategy and we will continue to drive momentum so that we remain a purpose-driven company that attracts and develops the best talent.” The list is based on research from the Human Capital Media Advisory Group and uses employee satisfaction data from Glassdoor. Seven categories of HR performance were assessed to compile the list, including employee development, workplace culture, employee benefits, talent management and diversity and inclusion.