- Huw Hughes
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American Eagle Outfitters has unveiled new sustainability goals which
include a pledge to achieve carbon neutrality in all of its owned and
operated facilities (offices, stores, distribution centers) and employee
business travel by 2030.
The company additionally plans to reduce its carbon emissions 40 percent
by 2030 and 60 percent by 2040 in its manufacturing from a 2018 base
year.
By 2030, the retailer is aiming for 50 percent of the water used in its
laundries to be recycled, water usage in jeans production to be slashed by
30 percent, and ensure that wastewater from water-intensive facilities is
free from hazardous chemicals.
Within the same timeframe it also wants all cotton used in products to
be 100 percent sustainably sourced, to use 50 percent sustainable
polyester, and to ensure that 100 percent of viscose is from non-endangered
forests and increase sourcing of sustainably produced viscose fibers.
“At American Eagle Outfitters we focus on youth and their optimism
toward the future, so building a better world for generations to come is
fundamental to our brands, values and purpose,” Jay Schottenstein,
executive chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “We pledge to accelerate
sustainability improvements across our entire organization, and throughout
the supply chain, holding ourselves accountable through the adoption of
science-based targets. As a leading retailer, we are dedicated to working
across the industry to create systemic changes in garment
manufacturing.”
Photo credit: American Eagle Outfitter, Facebook
