Fashion retailers join Greenpeace to detox supply chain
The parent company of Victoria’s Secret (Limited Brands) and the Benetton Group are the latest fashion retailers to pledge their commitment to Greenpeace’s Detox Program, which strives to eliminate all hazardous chemicals from the supply chain.
In total, 14 international clothing retailers have committed to phase out the use of toxic chemicals in their products and supply chain since the release of a range of damning Greenpeace investigations (released in July 2011 and expanded in 2012) which revealed high levels of toxic phthalates and cancer-causing amines in addition to the widespread use of NPEs (nonylphenol ethoxylates) which can break down to a chemical with hormone-disrupting properties.
The brands have agreed to eliminate the use of these chemicals, which are dangerous to consumers and cause widespread water pollution and damage to aquatic life, by 2020. Limited Brands, which also owns popular lingerie brand La Senza, joins high street brands Benetton and Uniqlo, who have joined in the past month, following in the footsteps of Zara, Levis, Mango and Espirit, who made the pledge in December.
A press release by Greenpeace also detailed negotiation with limited brands to disclose discharge data from 80 percent of its entire global supply chain by the end of 2013.
About the Detox Campaign
Greenpeace’s Detox campaign demands fashion brands commit to zero discharge of all hazardous chemicals by 2020 and require their suppliers to disclose all releases of toxic chemicals from their facilities to communities at the site of the water pollution. Fourteen global fashion leaders (Nike, Adidas, Puma, H&M, M&S, C&A, Li-Ning, Zara, Mango, Esprit, Levi's, Uniqlo, Benetton and Victoria's Secret) have committed to the scheme so far.
