Textiles
The production chain from fibre manufacture to finished garment has many environmental impacts. Moreover, the fashion industry has a reputation for social injustice. Workers in garment factories often have to work long hours under poor working conditions for low wages, to say nothing of the working conditions of the many homeworkers, which cannot be inspected at all.
Sustainable production and processing can help raise the living conditions of millions of labourers and mitigate the negative impacts on the environment. Impact assessment tools and technical support provide the means to alleviate environmental impact. Social conditions can be improved by implementing international standards and through learning mechanisms.
Solidaridad is known for its innovative approach to learning and change-management for factories.
Solidaridad is known for its innovative approach to learning and change-management for factories.
Textiles programme: benefiting nature, people and brands
Solidaridad´s textiles programme works to improve labour conditions in garmenting units and reduce environmental pollution from dying mills. In seven important producer countries we help NGOs, consultants, trade unions and other stakeholders increase their professional capacities. In addition, we bring different stakeholders together to create local platforms for resolving sustainability challenges in the textiles sector. Solidaridad is a keen exponent of the user group method for learning and implementing best practices and has won an award for its work in this area.
Solidaridad also raises public awareness of the problems in the textiles sector and our efforts have generated a growing demand for fashion with respect for people and planet. In response, more brands are adopting sustainable production. With Solidaridad´s help, these brands can make considerable environmental and social improvements in the textiles supply chain.
Solidaridad also raises public awareness of the problems in the textiles sector and our efforts have generated a growing demand for fashion with respect for people and planet. In response, more brands are adopting sustainable production. With Solidaridad´s help, these brands can make considerable environmental and social improvements in the textiles supply chain.
Impact: sustainable fashion becomes common practice
Solidaridad founded the fashion brands Kuyichi and 100% Organic Cotton, brands that demonstrate that sustainable garments and textiles are a viable business model. Solidaridad also works on a project basis with other brands, including Levi Strauss & Co and H&M, to create sustainable supply chains. To further expand sales of people-friendly and environmentally friendly fashion, Solidaridad established the Made-By network of brands. Made-By is a driving force for corporate social responsibility and consultancy /strategy in the fashion industry. Its core product is a scorecard which shows the year-on-year improvements in social and environmental performance made by partner brands. Made-By has succeeded in attracting prominent fashion brands as full members, including Claudia Sträter, Ted Baker and Jackpot.
History and prospect of the textiles programme
| Start of the textiles programme | 1999 |
| Main issues | environmental conditions in wet processing, social conditions in sowing units |
| Countries | Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam |
| Partners | MADE-BY, Cool Ideas, Prakruthi, Conquest, CSR Centre Bangladesh, CECEM, TNO, SAI, BSCI |
| Donors | European Union, Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, ASN Bank, Jackpot, H&M |
Outlook
Over the next five years the textiles programme will concentrate on increasing innovation in sustainability throughout the supply chain by:
- introducing more credible social compliance in factories (e.g. inclusion of local stakeholders);
- making environmental improvements in wet processing and other sections of the supply chain;
- showcasing best practices for improvement projects in factories in developing countries;
- providing the mainstream market with tools and support for working on sustainability in the supply chain.
New partnerships
Solidaridad invites brands and retailers to join us in creating innovative solutions for sustainability in their supply chains. We actively promote Made-By as a vehicle for fashion brands to work on sustainable supply chains and communicate their benefits.
Cases
We offer
Solidaridad aims at a sustainable and fair textiles chain, from manufacturer to consumer. The organization consists of a worldwide network of regional expertise centres and cooperates with local partners. Together we deliver the following services:
Our services in the Textiles programme
- Supporting producer organizations through capacity building and organizational strengthening.
- Supporting companies to qualify for social and environmental certification standards.
- Supporting civil society organizations that empower women, farmers or employees, as well as organizations that protect nature and biodiversity.
- Supporting companies to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) related to sourcing in developing countries.
- Developing sustainable business concepts in order to broaden the marketplace for sustainable products from developing countries.
- Supporting sustainable business initiatives with marketing and communication to inform business partners and consumers.
- Seeking dialogue with stakeholders and the public using our knowledge, experience and views on sustainable economic development and corporate social responsibility.
Results
Some of the key results in Solidaridad's Textiles programme:
- Solidaridad supports textile dyers in working in a more environmentally friendly way, using less water and energy.
- Solidaridad is working with sewing factories on setting social policies and improving labour conditions for workers.
- Solidaridad initiated MADE-BY, a network of companies, producers and civil society organizations.
- MADE-BY succeeded in engaging prominent fashion brands including Claudia Sträter, Nomad and Jackpot. With Solidaridad´s help, they took great steps towards environmental and social improvements.
- Solidaridad set up the fashion brands Kuyichi and 100% Organic Cotton in order to expand the sales of people- and environment friendly fashion in the Netherlands.
- Solidaridad raises awareness about clean and fair fashion amongst fashion labels and consumers.