Levi’s Signs Pakistan Accord, Archroma Launches Bio-Based Printing System & eBay Expands Circular Fashion Fund
Here's what happened this Week/End.
Welcome to Week/End, your quick-hit guide to the week's sustainability news at the intersection of fashion, ethics, and business. From the latest advancements in circularity to breakthroughs in material innovation and forward-thinking legislation, each week we curate the need-to-know stories and news developments in sustainable fashion to keep you informed—without the overwhelm.
Levi Strauss & Co. Signed Pakistan Accord and Published Climate Transition Plan
Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) has signed the Pakistan Accord, a legally binding agreement aimed at improving health and safety in Pakistan's garment industry. The accord requires suppliers to participate in safety inspections and remediation efforts. However, campaigners are urging LS&Co. to also sign the Bangladesh Accord, ensuring stronger protections for workers there as well.
Also this week, LS&Co. released its first climate transition plan, which builds on the company’s previous sustainability reports. While the sustainability reports have outlined ongoing efforts, the climate transition plan provides a detailed, long-term roadmap to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. It includes targets such as a 90% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025 and 100% renewable electricity in all company-operated facilities by 2025. The plan emphasizes accountability and regular progress updates every three years, making it a more comprehensive framework for achieving climate goals.
Archroma Introduced Industry-First Bio-Based NTR Printing System
Archroma has launched the NTR Printing System, the first commercially viable bio-based pigment printing solution for textiles. Made with renewable materials* and formaldehyde-free chemistries, the system offers sustainability, comfort, and durability, delivering high-quality black shades for garments.
The NTR Printing System uses renewable feedstock* in its pigment dispersion, binder, and fixing agent, ensuring good wet and dry fastness and softness across various fabrics. It's suitable for printing, coating, and dyeing, making it ideal for denim, knits, and baby-wear.
Qorium Advanced Lab-Grown Leather Towards Full-Scale Commercialization
Lab-grown leather company Qorium has made progress toward the large-scale commercialization of its product with the creation of a new 35x35 cm sample. The leather was produced using Qorium’s scaled-up tissue bioreactor, demonstrating the viability of its production process. Made from a small sample of skin cells from living cows, the lab-grown leather replicates the strength, durability, and appearance of traditional leather without the environmental and animal welfare drawbacks.
The company is now focused on product optimization and cost reduction as it moves closer to market readiness.
eBay Expanded Circular Fashion Fund to Support Global Start-Ups
eBay has announced the global expansion of its Circular Fashion Fund, committing $1.2 million by 2025 to support fashion start-ups with circular business models in the UK, Germany, the US, and Australia. Additionally, eBay Ventures will award $300,000 to one start-up as the "Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year" in 2025.
Sustainable Fashion Forum founder Brittany Sierra will join the judging panel of leaders in fashion, academia, and sustainability, including Kirsty Keoghan, eBay's Global GM of Fashion, Steven Kolb, CEO of CFDA, and John Bartlett, Director of Parsons Fashion Executive & Professional Studies.
Backed by organizations like the British Fashion Council and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the Fund offers financial support, over 200 hours of mentoring, and networking opportunities to foster circular innovation.
Applications are open until November 15, 2024.
For more information and to apply, visit ebay.com/CFFApply.
Baptist World Aid's 2024 Ethical Fashion Report Highlights Slow Progress on Sustainability and Living Wages
The 10th edition of Baptist World Aid’s Ethical Fashion Report has revealed slow progress in the fashion industry’s efforts to address environmental and labor issues. The report assessed 120 companies, representing 460 brands, based on criteria including sustainability, worker empowerment, supplier relationships, and governance, with scores out of 100.
Key findings include that nearly 89% of companies do not pay a living wage in their final-stage facilities, and half of the companies assessed showed no commitment to climate action. Apparel brands scored higher on average (32.9) compared to footwear brands (24.2). The report will now follow a bi-annual release cycle to allow more time for industry progress.
Cradle to Cradle Introduces C2C Certified® Circularity Standard for Sustainable Product Design
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute launched the C2C Certified® Circularity standard, providing companies with a verified framework for designing circular products. This new certification builds on the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Version 4.1 standard and emphasizes circular sourcing, design, and systems, ensuring products are optimized for reuse and recycling. The certification offers a third-party-verified Circularity Data Report and helps companies comply with evolving EU and U.S. regulations on waste reduction and sustainability.
According to Vogue Business’s H2 2024 Index, fewer luxury brands are adopting rental and resale models, opting instead for buy now, pay later options like Klarna to encourage new purchases. Many brands are also backtracking on sustainability goals, with only 10% now aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030, down from 25% in H1 2023. Brands like OTB Group and Capri Holdings have adjusted their net-zero targets, aligning with the Paris Agreement's 2050 goal.
Reformation partnered with material science company Ambercycle to introduce cycora®, a regenerated polyester made from discarded textiles, in select pieces of its latest collection.
Guess launched "Guess Again" online clothing recycling program with SuperCircle, allowing customers to recycle items from any brand for store credit.
SKIMS also announced a partnership with SuperCircle to capture and recycle textile waste across its supply chain, including apparel, accessories, and fabric scraps.
PANGAIA introduced The GAIA Bag, a tote made entirely from MIRUM®, a 100% bio-based, animal-free leather alternative, backed with Climate Beneficial™ cotton.
John Roberts, CEO of Australian Wool Innovation and Managing Director of The Woolmark Company, talks consumer psychology, influencing behavior around sustainability, and long-term impact in fashion with their “Wear Wool, Not Waste” campaign—a cinematic film where discarded clothes come to life, running through a city like an apocalyptic scene straight out of a zombie movie.
EUROPE:
On | Lead - Circularity Loop Implementation | Zurich, Switzerland | Hybrid ・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level→ Apply Here
Jimmy Choo | Sustainability and Compliance Advisor | Tuscany, Italy | Hybrid・Full-Time・Associate→Apply Here
Decathlon | Circular Centre Manager | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Hybrid・Contract・Mid-Senior Level→ Apply Here
CANADA:
lululemon | Responsible Supply Chain Environmental Specialist (Fixed Term Contract through September 2025) | Vancouver, BC | On-Site・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level→ Apply Here
lululemon | Senior Manager, Enterprise Impact Strategy | Vancouver, BC | Hybrid ・Full-Time・Director→ Apply Here
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