Tree-fiber fabrics have entered the fashion industry in a big way, and their popularity is raising some significant concerns for the future of our forests. Fortunately, H&M, together with not-for-profit organization Canopy, are putting a plan into place to avoid sourcing fabrics from endangered forest and promote the use of fabrics that come from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified plantations, FSC certified forest found outside endangered and ancient forests by 2017, or from alternative sources, such as recycled fabrics or agricultural residues. Along with H&M, EILEEN FISHER and Patagonia other brands that have joined Canopy’s Fashion Loved by Forest initiative to address the source of their cellulosic fabrics and advance forest conservation.
“H&M wants to play a strong role in ensuring a future for the planet’s ancient and endangered forests. We are fully committed to exploring our supply chain and doing our utmost to avoid these fabrics within the next three years”, said Henrik Lampa, Environmental Sustainability Manager at H&M.
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 jacket linings, dresses, skirts, t-shirts and tank tops. The dissolving pulp/viscose industry is poised for continued ambitious expansion and poses an increasing risk to threatened forest ecosystems around the world.
H&M stated that they will focus on building traceable and sustainable production of these fabrics in its own supply chain, as well as working to inspire others in order to shift the whole global man-made fiber supply chain.
This isn't H&M’s first commitment to FSC. In 2010, H&M released their sustainable paper policy, which stated that all paper and paper products made from fiber originating in a country with tropical rainforest must be FSC-certified. Currently, all H&M receipt rolls are FSC certified and the H&M Magazine is printed on FSC-certified paper. H&M seeks to increase the global use of FSC certified paper and to ensure that their paper comes from a sustainable source, and especially from recycled sources.
[Source: Canopy & FSC International]