Given the cultivation of coffee and cotton, along with the manufacturing of our products, it's essential to address the impacts of water pollution and water scarcity. Conventional coffee and cotton farming requires large amounts of water, as well as fertilizers and pesticides, in many parts of the world. The textile production, especially the dyeing, washing, printing, and finishing of fabrics, contaminates water with chemicals, which needs to be treated adequately.

Our water conservation efforts are therefore supported by three specific programs: the Cotton Program, our Coffee Program and the Detox Program for better chemicals and water management.

In 2014, we publicly committed to eliminating hazardous chemicals from textile supply chains. Four years later, we became a signatory member of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Initiative (ZDHC). Ever since, we are committed to the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Program that works on cross-industry solutions to eliminate hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process, thereby protecting the environment and human health. To achieve these goals, we concentrate on critical areas within our textile supply chain, specifically wet processing units, such as dyeing, washing, printing, and leather tanneries:

Factory Requirement – We mandate our suppliers to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals in product manufacturing by adhering to the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL). Factories must maintain an effective chemical management system, monitor their chemical inventory, and conduct wastewater tests according to ZDHC guidelines. For leather products, chrome tanning is prohibited. We require additional verification from suppliers, such as Leather Working Group certification, audit reports, or supplier statements, to ensure our products are 100% chrome-free tanned. These measures protect the environment, the health of those who manufacture our products, and the well-being of our customers.

Factory Monitoring – We monitor the performance of our factories by analyzing wastewater and reviewing their chemical inventories using ZDHC tools. In cases of non-compliance, factories are required to conduct root cause analyses (RCA) and implement corrective action plans (CAP), such as replacing hazardous substances with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Factory Development – We support factories in own programs and sector initiatives to improve their sustainability performance. Currently, we are rolling out a new program that offers tailor-made solutions that address the specific challenges faced by each factory including chemical management, wastewater quality, and water consumption.