Banana Republic's Organic Fashion
Committing to Eco-Friendly Clothing, Packaging & Stores
To celebrate of Earth Day, retailer Banana Republic unveiled an eco-fashion line this week, featuring a summer collection of environmentally friendly clothing for women.
Available in stores from April 8th, Banana Republic's new 50-piece eco-collection will be made from a variety of renewable of sustainable fabrics, including bamboo, organic linen, cotton and denim, and soy/silk knit blends. This line is part of multi-action plan focused on reducing their environmental impact.
Fashion for Earth Week
In an effort to demonstrate their commitment to making and encouraging environmentally-friendly products and practices, during Earth Week (April 22-27) Banana Republic has pledged one percent of all in-store sales – up to $100,000 – to Trust for Public Lands, a nonprofit, land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places. Trust for Public Lands' primary mandate is to ensure livable communities for generations to come.
"Banana Republic is dedicated to reducing our environmental impact – and we think this is a solid first step," said Banana Republic president Jack Calhoun. "We’re strengthening our commitment to sustainability by promoting a cause that is authentic and relevant to our customers."
How Banana Republic is Going Green
The company says that it's strategy for "greening" its company is focused around three key areas: packaging, stores, and products. In an outline of their environmental efforts, they say that this means conserving energy, making smarter use of raw materials, and offering organic or sustainable products whenever possible.
Environmentally Friendly Packaging
Talk about setting a good example: much of Banana Republic's packaging is comprised of at least partially recycled material, with their recyclable shopping bags made of 15 percent recycled material, their recyclable shoe boxes made of 50 percent recycled material, their recyclable gift boxes are made of 35 percent recycled material, and their price tickets are fabricated from 100 percent recycled material.
Earth Conscious Store Design
Banana Republic has partnered with the U.S Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders program, a voluntary initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 11 percent by the end of 2008.
In-store, they've converted to efficient fluorescent and halogen lighting, temperature control, as well as management training on energy-saving practices – they say that these initiatives have helped them achieve an overall energy savings of over 41 percent.
They're making sure that the floors of their stores are made only from certified wood from sustainable forests, that their restroom tiles are at least 15 percent post-consumer material, and that their billboards are being recycled and reused whenever possible.
Fabrication and Factories that are Safe for People and the Planet
Banana Republic's clothes are making a difference too. In addition to the use of organic and sustainable new fibers, they've ensured that their denim dyeing and treatment process (which take place in special laundry facilities around the world) discharges safe water into the environment, based on the Business for Social Responsibility's strict clean water guidelines.
Customers can identify eco-friendlier fashion and accessories by looking for a green elephant icon in-store and online.
