Lycra joins Levi’s, Nike in move aimed to shrink carbon footprint
<p>Swiss company tries to put the squeeze on emissions as part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.</p>
Next time you see a group of oversized January dieters jumping around in undersized lycra, try not to be so offended, because the makers of the stretchy fabric are taking steps to go green.
Swiss company INVISTA, owner of the Lycra brand, announced last week that it has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), which counts high profile brands including Nike, Marks & Spencer and Levi's among its members.
SAC last year unveiled the Higg Index aiming to help clothing companies identify opportunities to reduce the environmental and social impacts of their products.
INVISTA has said it will now help SAC further refine the index, providing data and resources to the group so that its partners can better calculate the environmental impact of the lycra they use in garments.
Bob Kirkwood, INVISTA Apparel executive vice-president of marketing and technology, said environmental stewardship is a core principle of its operations around the globe.
"INVISTA pursues its sustainability vision through its commitment to manufacturing processes, our products and the environment- while seeking to minimize waste and improve the environmental, health and safety aspects of its products and processes," he said.
"As a global leader and integrated supplier for the textile industry, we look forward to working with the SAC to advance environmental stewardship and sustainability."
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