LCA Links!

Today's New York Times reports on the life cycle efforts of Levi Strauss & Company that was based on its seminal work back in 2007 which focused on the the life cycle of jean.  The times article reports that LS&Co. estimates that a typical pair of blue jeans consumes "919 gallons of water during its life cycle", or enough to "fill 15 spa-sized bathtubs".  

The company continues to use the knowledge and insights that it has learned from its life cycle assessment to support further activities, such their water finishing campaign to reduce water during finishing and working with the Better Cotton Initiative, an effort ot make global cotton production "better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector's future."

The Care to Air Design Challenge seeks the world’s most innovative, covetable, and sustainable air-drying solution for clothing. At stake? $10,000 in prize money from Levi Strauss & Co., the challenge sponsor – to be distributed among the finalists – in addition to an audience with our distinguished panel of eco-innovators.

A complete third party lifecycle assessment on a pair of Levi’s® 501® jeans revealed that, on average, almost 60% of the climate impact comes during the consumer phase. Nearly 80% of that is due to the energy intensive method we choose for drying. Levi Strauss & Co. is taking strides to bring its carbon footprint down to zero and build sustainability into everything they do – but the LCA revealed that the company needs help from consumers to make the biggest difference.

“The most effective way to reduce the climate impact of a pair of jeans is to air dry, yet the average US household chooses a dryer. Some communities have even banned clotheslines, calling them unsightly. Well Levi Strauss & Co. would like to challenge that point of view by finding clothesline designs or other innovative air drying solutions that are undeniably stylish, sustainable and effective.”

The so-called right-to-dry movement has been growing in the United States, according to Alexander Lee, executive director of Project Laundry List, an advocacy group based in Concord, N.H., that promotes cold-water washing as well as air drying.

To find out more details about entrance requirements and the judging criteria, visit the Care to Air Design Challenge on myoo website: http://myoocreate.com/challenges/care-to-air-design-challenge