H&M and Inditex have decided to eliminate ancient and endangered forests from all their rayon and viscose clothing. The world’s largest clothing brands have developed new purchasing commitments in partnership with award-winning environmental organization Canopy as part of an initiative to address the growing impacts of the clothing industry on the world's forests, biodiversity and climate. Sustainability brand Loomstate is also backing the ‘Fashion Loved by Forest’ campaign.
Canopy research has found that threatened forests are routinely making their way into clothing. Rayon, viscose, modal and other trademarked fabrics are increasingly made from the world's most endangered forests, from the tropical rainforests of Indonesia to the great northern Boreal Forests. Globally rare forests are cut down, pulped and spun into suit and jacket linings, dresses, skirts, T-shirts and tank tops.
Canopy believes that dissolving pulp/viscose industry is poised for continued ambitious expansion and poses an increasing risk to threatened forest ecosystems around the world and commitments by these brands will help curtail the problem and build solutions.
As per estimates, last year, an estimated 70 million trees were cut for fabric production, a number projected to double in the next 20 years. The last intact rainforests of Indonesia are falling at an alarming rate and critically endangered species may soon vanish if not conserved on time.
www.canopy.org
