Levis saved 1B litres of water with new jeans production process

Study shows nearly 3,800 liters of water are used to make a pair of jeans

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif—Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) says it has saved 1 billion liters of water since 2011 through its “Water<Less” process, which reduces the water used in garment finishing by up to 96 per cent.

This announcement coincides with the release of LS&Co.’s new Product Lifecycle Assessment (LCA), an update on the company’s groundbreaking 2007 study that examined the environmental impact of LS&Co. products. The new study analyzed the complete product lifecycle, probing deeper into the environmental impacts of cotton in key growing regions, apparel production and distribution in a range of locations, and consumer washing and drying habits in key markets.

Lifecycle of a pair of Levis jeans:

• Water Consumption: Nearly 3,800 liters of water are used to make a pair of jeans. Fiber production, predominantly cotton (68 per cent), consumes the most water, followed by consumer care (23 per cent).
• Climate Change: Of the 33.4 kg of carbon dioxide produced during the lifecycle of a pair of jeans, consumer care (37 per cent) and fabric production (27 per cent) generate the most significant climate change impact and energy use.
• Impact: By wearing jeans 10 times before washing, consumers can reduce their water and climate change impact by up to 77 per cent!