Approximately 100 apparel brands and retailers are teaming up to formulate an eco-index system to help measure the environmental impact of their manufacturing and distribution processes. The rating scores will eventually be publicized so consumers can choose between competing brands by comparing index ratings. Apparel brands hope that they can proudly display their eco-badge coupled with their price tag. When products do receive a low efficiency score, manufacturers are likely to revise the manufacturing and design process to help improve the score before it sells. For example, Brooks redesigned its shoe boxes and plan to implement a recycling booth for shoe boxes after earning a disappointing rating.
Similar to how the Energy Star rating for home appliances and LEED certification for architecture are being utilized to determine the green reputation in other fields, apparel brands hope this new system can follow suit. In it’s initial phase of implementation, consumers wont have access to the ratings until the companies democratically standardize the formula for rating. Some companies, like outdoor apparel Timberland Co., are getting impatient with the slow pace of implementation and have gone ahead to make their own.
Some of the larger brands participating in this effort include the likes of Nike, Adidas, and Levi Strauss & Co..
Source: www.psfk.com
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