Clean Jeans

Life Cycle Assessment tools are increasing in popularity as companies are trying to understand the environmental impact associated with their products, from start to finish. Many companies use readily-made LCA software, but Levi’s has developed their own methodology to measure their unique inputs and outputs. They use this tool daily to evaluate fabric choices, washes, and dyes and evaluate their environmental impact at the material level. Referencing Levi's LCA report, we see that the assessment organized impact categories into water intake and consumption, eutrophication, land occupation, and abiotic depletion, and included units used for each. Questions arise when examining LCAs including what environmental indicator measures to consider, what are the system boundaries, and is the life-cycle cost analysis included with the LCA. Levi’s report noted that washing a pair of jeans every 10 times it’s worn instead of every 2 times reduces energy use, climate change impact, and water intake by up to 80%. While this an amazing find, customers’ washing habits are out of the hands of the company. Other questions must be asked of Levi and its assessment including the lack of connectivity between where and how wastewater is generated, and how to reuse this treated water to displace freshwater demands.

Article: https://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2012/05/22/how-levis-made-life-cycle-assessment-part-its-fabric

Group Members: Alexa Garcia, Manali McCarthy, Allison Candell, Katherine Knight, Weilly Tong