H&M: Leading the Way on the 'Detox Catwalk'

(3BL Media/Justmeans) - When you pull on your favourite t-shirt or top, have you ever wondered what goes into producing it, the impact it has had on the planet? Well, Greenpeace International has, and as a result, it has created a public awareness initiative called the ‘Detox Campaign’ that is now powered by more than half a million people who want toxic-free fashion and clean water. Together they are challenging some of the world's most popular clothing brands to work with their suppliers and eliminate all releases of hazardous chemicals into our water. So, far 18 global fashion leaders have committed to Detox, including – Nike, Adidas, Puma, H&M, M&S, C&A, Li-Ning, Zara, Mango, Esprit, Levi's, Uniqlo, Benetton, Victoria's Secret, G-Star Raw, Valentino, Coop, and Canepa. 

Part of this campaign is the ‘Detox Catwalk,’ an interactive online platform that looks at the progress made by the companies towards their Detox commitments. Adidas, Nike and Li-Ning are listed as “Greenwashers,” failing to follow through on their Detox commitments. H&M, Mango and Uniqlo prove to be real Detox heroes, matching their fashion-forward promises with real actions to clean up their supply chains.

H&M has proved that its commitment to this project wasn’t just a fast-fashion fad. It has been recognised for the great and positive progress it has achieved so far in eliminating all hazardous chemical use across its global supply-chain.  The brand has shown that it is believer in the ‘right-to-know’ principle, laying out ambitious plans to disclose toxic discharge data from all of its strategic suppliers on the global Institute for Environmental Affairs platform, the only credible international chemical discharge disclosure platform.

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Sangeeta Haindl is a staff writer for Justmeans on Social Enterprise. When not writing for Justmeans, Sangeeta wears her other hat as a PR professional. Over the years, she has worked with high-profile organizations within the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors; and won awards from her industry. She now runs her own UK consultancy: Serendipity PR & Media.