Apparel is a 780 billion dollar industry and one of the largest users of water and chemicals. This also means it is one of the biggest polluters.

Greenpeace launched its Detox Campaign in 2011 as a way to expose some of the environmental issues that directly result from using hazardous chemicals in textile and apparel manufacturing.

How does the campaign work?

Greenpeace has implemented an interesting approach. It targets, encourages and shames brands to sign a public commitment to eliminate hazardous chemicals in products and supply chains by 2020. The NGO has successfully:

• Released several reports since 2011 that show traces of hazardous chemicals found on branded clothing and in public waterways in manufacturing communities.

• Successfully campaigned outside targeted flagship stores to further expose the issue and create negative press, which can damage a brand’s reputation.

• Raised the stakes as each new company signs an agreement. (Meaning it asks the brands to do more and more as part of their commitment)

• Looped back to the original brands that first signed a commitment to put more pressure on them to resign a more stringent plan.

What is the focus of the campaign?

Greenpeace has asked brands to adopt a credible public commitment to phase out the use and release of all toxic chemicals from their global supply chain and products by 1 January 2020. The focus is on the following 3 principles:

• Zero discharge of all hazardous chemicals– this means no hazardous chemicals in water, air and soil by 2020.

• Prevention and Precaution– this means taking preventative action towards the elimination of hazardous chemicals in the face of scientific uncertainty.

• Right to know–brands and their supply chains must be fully transparent by publicly disclosing information about the hazardous chemicals used and discharged during textile and apparel manufacturing.

Greenpeace has also targeted governments, especially in countries that manufacture apparel to adopt a political commitment that establishes a comprehensive set of chemicals management policies towards zero discharge of all hazardous chemicals within one generation. The commitment includes:

• Short term targets to ban the production and use of well-known hazardous chemicals

• A list of priority hazardous substances that are progressively replaced with safer alternatives

• A publicly available register of data on discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances

In my opinion, Greenpeace has catalyzed much needed change in the textile industry. Many of the brands and companies targeted by Greenpeace already have fairly robust chemical management policies. They are leading the way towards the adoption of less hazardous chemicals, and my hope is that these companies have the clout and voice to affect change.

Impact to your business

Questions to Consider:

• Are you able to respond to a negative NGO campaign?
• Do you have a chemicals management strategy in place to respond and address chemicals of concern?

For help with any issue associated with chemicals, contact Amanda Cattermole at (415) 412 8406 or Amanda@cattermoleconsulting.com. We can help you develop powerful solutions to protect your company and brand reputation that result in safer products manufactured in cleaner supply chains.

Tips and Insights contains information to help you make informed chemicals management decisions. Each post highlights a particular topic and includes questions for you to consider .