Environment and sustainability

Elevate is committed to the goals of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, taking active responsibility for climate neutrality and reducing CO2 emissions. Elevate uses Greenhouse Gas Protocol definitions and calculation methods to determine global greenhouse gas emissions. Elevate’s approved targets include a 46.2% reduction in absolute scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline, as well as a 46.2% reduction in several scope 3 categories-purchased goods and services, processing of sold products, and fuel and energy related emissions — within the same timeline.

As a textile manufacturer that dyes and finishes fabrics and threads, we use a significant amount of water. Because of this, water stewardship is a critical part of our sustainability performance and journey. In addition to the reductions and improvements at our own facilities, we are passionate about influencing water basin-wide efforts to improve water quality and reverse negative trends. In 2019, Elevate Textiles committed to a 25% reduction in absolute water use by 2025 based on 2016 levels, and in 2022 we reached a reduction of 21.8%. Since 2016, we have increased our use of recycled water by 300 percent. 2023 Elevate Textiles joined the Business Leaders Open Call for Accelerating Action on Water.

Production of textile products requires a significant amount of energy. That’s why Elevate is committed to using as many renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources as possible. Projects are continuously being carried out to identify potential savings and thus reduce energy consumption. Elevate Textiles is committed to doing our part to prevent global climate change throughout our entire supply chain. We are committed to using 100% renewable energy in our operations by 2030.

Elevate strives to reduce packaging to the bare essentials and to reduce the materials used per unit shipped. The aim is also to increase the use of reusable and recyclable packaging materials. To avoid waste, American & Efird offers a cone take-back program in some regions.

Elevate sees the promotion of a resource-efficient circular economy as one of the most important solutions for the successful reduction of landfill waste in the textile industry. Elevate is always working to reduce, reuse and recycle any by-products that are produced in factories. Monthly waste and recycling figures are analysed at each plant.

Elevate has several sustainable product lines in all areas of the company. Elevate is committed to using more sustainable fibres – 80 % sustainable cotton and 50 % recycled polyester – by 2025. We are incorporating several other preferred fibers in our products, including regenerative cotton, hemp, recycled cotton, circular fibers, and bio-based synthetic fibers.

For Elevate, global security and social responsibility are key commitments to employees, customers and partners. In order to check compliance with defined standards, third-party social compliance audits and customer audits are carried out. As a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Elevate is committed to conducting an annual assessment using the Higg-Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM). The FSLM analyses and evaluates aspects such as occupational safety and social working conditions and the results can be viewed by customers and partners. We are expanding our engagement with our suppliers by asking them to implement the Higg FEM and Higg FLSM self-assessment and verification audit programs.

Elevate attaches great importance to compliance with social standards and rules on environmental protection within the supply chain. Fair treatment of people in particular is a key concern. Therefore, suppliers are required to sign the Elevate Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure responsible business practices are followed throughout the supply chain. The aim of a sustainable supply chain is to create social, ecological and economic benefits for all stakeholders in the long term.

Elevate is a member of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) initiative, which aims to eliminate harmful substances from the entire production process. ZDHC is also concerned with the correct treatment of waste water. The Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) is central to ZDHC. This is a list of substances that are either completely banned or restricted by limits. We have currently converted more than 80% of our applicable inventory to MRSL v2.0 conformance. Elevate implemented ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines v2.0 and the ZDHC MRSLv3.0, driving towards 100% ZDHC MRSL conformance for all dyes and formulated chemicals used in manufacturing.

Elevate strives to provide education and training to employees and customers and share knowledge about initiatives for a sustainable industry. Several internal trainings on sustainability and certification programs have therefore already been conducted and investments made in external training for employees. Elevate regards working with industry members as key for sustainable development in the industry. That’s why Elevate Textiles has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) with more than 250 brands and retailers, manufacturers, government agencies, non-profit organisations and academic institutes. By joining the SAC, the implementation of the Higg index in the supply chain will be further expanded.