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UK
retailer, Marks & Spencer says a newly re-built eco-friendly
apparel factory in Sri Lanka is part of a plan that will see all
operations being 'greened' by 2012, in response to growing
environmental consciousness in its markets.
M&S, commissioned a completely re-built 'green' casual wear
manufacturing plant run by Sri Lankan apparel giant Brandix,
north of Colombo Friday. The plant employs 1,600 people.
Officials say the green factory has already cut energy costs by
43 percent and water by 60 percent
The retailer says climate change and environmental issues have
become more important in the UK following former US vice
president, Al Gore's documentary, "The inconvenient truth."
"In the space of 12 months or so, it has become a huge political
issue in the UK and it has become a huge topic of conversation
with the general public," M&S Paschal Little from M&S lingerie &
casual wear division said.
"Our brand within the UK holds a very special position and our
customers expect us to take a lead on environmental issues like
this."
"We wanted to work with a key supply partner to establish some
model green factories of which the Brandix factory is one." he
said.
Global Benchmark
M&S says Brandix' 'green' factory will be accredited with a
leadership in energy and environmental design [LEED] rating by
Green Building Council of the US.
This will help set up the plant as a benchmark for eco friendly
apparel manufacture in the world.
"As a redesigned factory, it marks a new benchmark for the
apparel industry independently accredited by LEED to the highest
possible standard," Little said.
"It will certainly represent a benchmark for other garment
makers around the world," he said.
M&S is also looking at 'greening' their stores and achieving
carbon neutral status at its 600-strong retail outlets network.
A 'green' branding could also qualify Marks & Spencer to price
garments manufactured in green factories at a premium.
"We would like to at some stage to identify products within our
stores as coming from green factories," Little said. "We want to
give our customer the choice. We want to communicate to our
customers what's happening in this project," he said.
The Brandix green factory initiative is part of Marks and
Spencer's 'Plan A' initiative which hopes the make the chain
carbon neutral and help customers and suppliers reduce their
emissions.
Resource Efficient
Under plan, M&S wants its suppliers to top sending waste for
landfills, buy more 'sustainable' raw materials like cotton and
set new standards for 'ethical' trading by treating trading
partners fairly.
Brandix which is hopeful of a LEED top ranked platinum
certificate by end June. This would be the first such
certification of an apparel factory.
"We are hopeful by June that we will get the LEED certificate
accreditation on a point system on how much of green you have,
how much of energy and water you have
saved," Brandix Lanka director A J Johnpillai said.
The 30 year old factory in Seeduwa which cost 270 million rupees
to convert to green status has 70,000 square feet of space.
"Seventy percent of all workers will have day light, 91 percent
of girls will have views to the greenery outside," he said.
Brandix says investing in energy reduction makes commercial
sense amidst rising energy costs although with a payback time
estimated at around three and a half years. |