Levis offers WaterLess to other apparel firms

In recognition of World Water Day, Levis Strauss is making its innovative WaterLess finishing techniques available to other apparel companies in an effort to encourage water conservation. 
 
“The techniques were introduced by the company's designers in 2011 and reduce the water used in garment finishing by up to 96 per cent,” a Levis press release said.

Since implementation, WaterLess techniques have helped the company save more than 1 billion litres of water.
 
In addition to sharing its WaterLess techniques, Levis will also participate in the White House Water Summit.

The company communicated its goal to train 100 per cent of corporate employees on water conservation through its ongoing partnership with Project WET.
 
“Water is a critical resource for our business, the planet and people around the globe, but usable supply is becoming increasingly scarce,” said Michael Kobori, vice president of sustainability at Levis. 
 
“We've long been committed to being water stewards, but realise more needs to be done and so, we are setting competition aside and encouraging others to utilise these open source tools,” Kobori added.
 
The company is sharing 21 water-saving techniques with a range of applications for denim finishing, including ozone and wash cycle combinations. 
 
These techniques were previewed with nearly 20 of Levis' industry peers last year in an effort to drive collaboration towards greater impact as an industry.
 
As per Levis, by open sourcing its WaterLess techniques with the broader public, it is encouraging all apparel companies, to accelerate their own innovation and engage in an open dialogue around water use. 
 
Additionally, Levis also shared its 2020 water savings targets across three key areas; the planet, production and people. 
 
They include, use 100 per cent sustainable cotton through sources such as Better Cotton and recycled cotton, significantly reducing its total water footprint.
 
Other targets include, 80 per cent of all Levis products be made with WaterLess techniques and lastly achieve zero discharge of hazardous chemicals through participation in the Joint Roadmap towards ZDHC.