In an assessment carried across the company last year, Canadian apparel manufacturer Gildan has reset its strategic priorities to fulfill its vision of ‘Making Apparel Better’, by working towards human and labour rights, health and safety along with water management, for long term success of its operations.

The assessment was done in partnership with an independent third party to analyse the social, environmental and economical issues most critical to its stakeholders. ‘Traceability’ and ‘chemical management’ were also indicted as the material issues of special concern for safety and sustainability.

With this, the company plans on focusing safe and ergonomics workplace, empowering women at work, respecting freedom of association, and ensuring fair wages for workers. It will also take steps to reduce the water usage, ensuring safe chemical management and addressing the climate change.

Highlighting its initiatives for last year, the company has decreased its water intensity by 10 per cent as a result of its refurbishment efforts which has resulted in the replacement of its jet dyeing machines at its textile facility in Honduras. Also, the company has recycled its 86 per cent of its waste.

As its environmental goals, the company has increased its green house gas emission intensity by 20 per cent per kg of product since 2015. Also, it has increased its energy intensity by 9 per cent and landfill waste intensity by 40 per cent, compared with its 2015 base year.