Levi Strauss & Co. San Francisco, CA March 2009 1
Why a Product-Lifecycle Approach? In 2006, we had several programs in place to address environmental impacts associated with the production of our products and the operation of our facilities Environmental compliance programs Supplier Code of Conduct program Global Effluent Guideline program Levi s eco products (e.g., using organic cotton) We needed a credible, science-based method for measuring the full environmental impact of our products so that we would be able to identify a vision and set of priorities for our environmental work going forward We commissioned a lifecycle assessment (LCA) of two of our core products, which yielded some surprising results By taking a product-lifecycle approach to our work, we were able to develop a set of strategies to address the greatest impacts of our business on the environment Our product-lifecycle approach addresses both environmental sustainability and the sustainability of our business 2
What Is a Product-Lifecycle Assessment? Quantitative method to evaluate the environmental impact of products using: Lifecycle perspective (system analysis) e.g., from the cultivation of cotton to the end of the product s useful life ( cradle to grave ) Mass and energy balance (input/output inventory) Direct Data inputs and outputs associated directly with product Indirect Data inputs and outputs used to make the direct inputs (often using extensive industry-average data sets) Impact assessment categories To translate the input and output data to the environmental impacts of the system Typically, does not include: Social impacts Economic impacts 3
Definition of LCA from ISO 14040* Series: the compilation and evaluation of the inputs, outputs and the potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its lifecycle *Details the requirements for conducting and administering a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) 4
A Credible Methodology Forty-year history 1969: Glass bottle recycling vs. one-use PET bottles 1970s: Energy crisis prompted energy-efficiency studies 1997 2001, 2006: International Standards Organization (ISO) 14040 series Consensus on LCA practice University graduate programs LCA professional certification (LCACP) LCA to be integrated into LEED program for certification of green buildings United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) Lifecycle Initiative European Union Integrated Product Policy (IPP) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) using LCA for preferable purchasing by U.S. federal government 5
Our Project Scope Selected high-volume product: Levi s 501 jean, medium stonewash Produced for the U.S. market during the 2006 production year Studied the full lifecycle - cradle to grave Data compiled from LS&CO. suppliers GaBi 4 software datasets (used by LCA professionals, academics, government and other objective parties) Followed ISO 14040 series standards for results intended for internal use only Additional review (Phase 2) enables LS&CO. to share select data publicly and refer to LCA findings in conversations around our sustainability story and programs Conducted by PE Americas, Boston, MA 6
The LCA Results of the Studied Levi s 501 Jean Shrink to fit fabric 0193 Finish Medium stone wash U.S. Market, 2006 production year 7
Levi s 501 Jean System Boundary Studied product produced for U.S. market during the 2006 production year using 0193 medium stone wash finish Cotton (West Texas) Truck Fabric (Mexico) Truck Garment Cut & Sew (Mexico) Truck Garment Finish (Mexico) Cotton (Mississippi Delta) Truck Truck Fabric (North Carolina) Truck /Ship Garment Cut (Dominican Republic) Truck Garment Sew (Haiti) Truck Garment Finish (Dominican Republic) Cotton (Brazil) Retail (U.S.) Direct Truck Fabric (Brazil) Hebron, KY CSC Truck/Ship Garment Cut Sew/Finish (Egypt) Pool Point (McDonough, GA) Truck/Ship Truck/Ship Truck Retail (U.S.) Large Retailer Truck Canton, MS CSC Truck Truck/Air Retail (KY) Online Retail Henderson, NV CSC Pool Point Use (U.S.) Customer Truck Reuse (U.S.) Customer Disposal (U.S.) Landfill Disposal (U.S.) Incineration 8
Levi s 501 Jeans Climate Change Cradle-to-Grave Climate Change, % by Phase Cradle-to-Grave Climate Change, Amount by Phase 20 18.6 1% 5% 21% Kg CO 2 e 18 16 14 12 10 8 6.6 58% 6% 9% 6 4 2 0 0.5 1.7 3.0 2.1 Use End of Life Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail Use End of Life Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail For the studied Levi s 501 jeans (cradle to grave), the climate-change impact was highest at the consumer-use phase (58%) 9
Levi s 501 Jeans Energy Use Cradle-to-Grave Energy Use, % by Phase Cradle-to-Grave Energy Use (MJ), Amount by Phase 250 226.6 4% 21% 200 MJ 150 100 84.9 58% 10% 50 0.4 17.7 40.8 29.8 7% 0 Use Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail Use End of Life Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail For the studied Levi s 501 jeans (cradle to grave), the energy-use impact was highest at the consumer-use phase (58%) 10
Levi s 501 Jeans Water Consumption Cradle-to-Grave Water Consumption, % by Phase Cradle-to-Grave Water Consumption, Amount by Phase 45% 1800 1600 1400 1575.2 1704.0 Liters 1200 1000 800 600 1% 3% 2% 49% Use Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail 400 200 0 Use End of Life 0.4 Cotton 72.1 110.8 18.1 Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail For the studied Levi s 501 jeans (cradle to grave), water consumption was highest at the cotton-production and consumer-use phases (49% and 45% respectively) 11
Product-Lifecycle Impact of Studied Levi s 501 Jean is equivalent to: 32.3 kg of CO 2 78 miles driven by the average auto in the United States The carbon sequestered by six trees per year (based on EPA representative sequestration rates of tons of carbon per acre per year) 3480.5 liters of water Running a garden hose for 106 minutes 53 showers (based on 7 minute showers) 575 flushes of a 3.78 liter/flush low flow toilet 400.1 MJ of Energy Watching TV on a plasma screen for 318 hours Powering a computer for 556 hours, which is equivalent to 70 work days (based on 8 hours of computer use per day) Data from LS&CO. s Life Cycle Assessment on Levi s 501 jean for U.S. Market, 2006 production year 12
Consumer Care Reducing Climate Change Impact 20 How water temperature and the type of machine(s) you use can make a difference 18.6 18 16 14 13.7 12.5 14.2 Kg CO 2 e 12 10 8 6.7 6 4 2 1.9 1.1 2.7 0 Cold Water, Line Dry Warm Water, Line Dry Cold Water, Machine Dry Warm Water, Machine Dry Cold Water, Line Dry Warm Water, Line Dry Cold Water, Machine Dry Warm Water, Machine Dry Top-Loaded Side-Loaded Washer information derived from the following sources: The Federal Trade Commission Appliance Energy Data: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/eande/appliances/clwasher.htm Bole, Richard. Life-Cycle Optimization of Residential Clothes Washer Replacement, Center for Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan, April 21, 2006. Available at: http://css.snre.umich.edu/css_doc/css06-03.pdf (Appendix C of the University of Michigan report contains detailed washer energy efficiency data, from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) 13
Consumer Care Reducing Energy Use Impact How water temperature and the type of machine(s) you use can make a difference 350 295.4 300 250 220.5 201.2 226.6 MJ 200 150 123.0 100 50 48.1 34.8 60.3 0 Cold Water, Line Dry Warm Water, Line Dry Top-Loaded Cold Water, Machine Dry Warm Water, Machine Dry Cold Water, Line Dry Warm Water, Line Dry Side-Loaded Cold Water, Machine Dry Warm Water, Machine Dry 14
Consumer Care Reducing Water Consumption How water temperature and the type of machine(s) you use can make a difference 1800 1600 1471.0 1475.1 1571.1 1575.2 1400 1200 Liters 1000 800 540.0 541.4 636.6 638 600 400 200 0 Cold Water, Line Dry Warm Water, Line Dry Top-Loaded Cold Water, Machine Dry Warm Water, Machine Dry Cold Water, Line Dry Warm Water, Line Dry Side-Loaded Cold Water, Machine Dry Warm Water, Machine Dry 15
Number of Washes Climate Change Impact Denim is a hearty fabric. We don t need to wash our jeans after every wear. 52 Washes Consumers can decrease the climate change impact by about 32 percent by decreasing the number of times they wash their jeans to once every two weeks from once per week 24 Washes Consumers can decrease the climate change impact by about 48 percent by decreasing the number of times they wash their jeans to once per month from once per week Kg CO 2 e 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Comparison of Climate Change Impact, by Number of Washes 32.3 21.9 16.9 104 52 24 Cradle-to-Grave Totals (Number of Washes) *Based on top loaded/warm water/machine dry *LCA assumed 104 washings (once per week for two years) 16
Number of Washes Energy Use Impact Denim is a hearty fabric. We don t need to wash our jeans after every wear. 52 Washes Consumers can decrease the amount of energy used when caring for their jeans by about 20 percent by decreasing the number of times they wash their jeans to once every two weeks from once per week MJ 450 400 350 300 250 200 400.1 Comparison of Energy Use, by Number of Washes 321.2 241.6 24 Washes Consumers can decrease the amount of energy used when caring for their jeans by about 40 percent by decreasing the number of times they wash their jeans to once per month from once per week 150 100 50 0 104 52 24 Cradle-to-Grave Totals (Number of Washes) *Based on top loaded/warm water/machine dry *LCA assumed 104 washings (once per week for two years) 17
Number of Washes Water Consumption Denim is a hearty fabric. We don t need to wash our jeans after every wear. 52 Washes Consumers can decrease water consumption by about 23 percent (799.2 liters) by decreasing the number of times they wash their jeans to once every two weeks from once per week 24 Washes Consumers can decrease water consumption by about 35 percent (1,223.3 liters) by decreasing the number of times they wash their jeans to once per month from once per week Liters 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Comparison of Water Consumption, by Number of Washes 3480.5 2681.3 2257.3 104 52 24 Cradle-to-Grave Totals (Number of Washes) *Based on top loaded/warm water/machine dry *LCA assumed 104 washings (once per week for two years) 18
What We Learned from Our Product Lifecycle Assessment When we look at the full product lifecycle, the majority of environmental impacts occur in lifecycle phases outside of our direct control In order for us to decrease our overall environmental impact, we need to continue our efforts within our own sphere of influence in addition to focusing on: Cotton production: the cultivation of our most important raw material Consumer engagement: we are a consumer-facing company, in constant conversation with the consumer about style and quality. We will engage and educate our consumers on the environmental impact of their fashion choices and the responsible care of their washable garments 19
Examples of Our Product Lifecycle Approach in Action Engaging consumers: Levi Strauss & Co. partnered with the Alliance to Save Energy and Proctor & Gamble, makers of Tide Coldwater, to co-promote our Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. jeans in Wal-mart stores, encouraging consumers to save energy and money by washing their jeans in cold water Product care labels: The Levi s brand is in the process of changing all care labels on the brand s products, instructing consumers to wash in cold water and tumble dry medium. The new instructions will allow consumers to reduce their own environmental/climate change impact and save money on their utility bills Reducing product packaging Incorporating resource-efficiency factors in product design and manufacturing, including finishing technologies that allow us to reduce our water and energy consumption Addressing cotton sustainability through participation in projects such as the Better Cotton Initiative 20
Benefits of Our Product Lifecycle Assessment Helps us focus on the most significant environmental impacts as we develop and evaluate sustainability programs and policies Aids discussions with product designers, product managers, merchandisers and other employees on the concept of designing for sustainability Supports engagement with external stakeholders as we describe our environmental priorities and goals 21
Levi Strauss & Co. San Francisco, CA March 2009 22
Appendix 23
Dockers Original Khaki Climate Change Cradle-to-Grave Climate Change, % by Phase Cradle-to-Grave Climate Change, Amount by Phase 16 14.6 1% 3% 14 28% Kg CO 2e 12 10 8 6.8 6 59% 7% 2% 4 2 0 0.3 0.6 0.5 1.7 Use End of Life Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail Use End of Life Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail For the studied Dockers Original Khaki pant (cradle to grave), we found the climate-change impact was highest at the consumer-use phase (59%) 24
Dockers Original Khaki Energy Use Cradle-to-Grave Energy Use, % by Phase Cradle-to-Grave Energy Use (MJ), Amount by Phase 250 231.6 2% 200 26% MJ 150 96.9 100 63% 7% 2% 50 0 0.2 6.7 7.7 24.6 Use Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail Use End of Life Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail For the studied Dockers Original Khaki pant (cradle to grave), the energy-use impact was highest at the consumer-use phase (63%) 25
Dockers Original Khaki Water Consumption Cradle-to-Grave Water Consumption, % by Phase Cradle-to-Grave Water Consumption, Amount by Phase 800 738.2 62% 700 Liters 600 500 400 300 389.0 200 1% 1% 4% 32% Use Cotton Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail 100 0 Use End of Life 0.2 Cotton 53.6 16.1 16.5 Fabric Cut/Sew/Finish Logistics/Retail For the studied Dockers Original Khaki pant (cradle to grave), water consumption was highest at the consumer-use and cotton-production phases (62% and 32% respectively) 26
Selected Assessment Methodologies Impact Category Energy Use Indicator Description Unit Reference Primary energy demand Measure of the total amount of primary energy extracted from the earth MJ An operational guide to the ISOstandards (Guinee et al.) Centre fro Milieukunde (CML), Leiden 2001 Climate Change Global Warming Potential GWP) Measure of greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO2 and methane Kg CO 2 equivalent IPCC. Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Eutrophication Eutrophication Potential Measure of emissions that cause eutrophying effects to the environment Kg Nitrogen equivalent Bare et al., TRACI: the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts JIE, MIT Press, 2002. Acidification Acidificaiton Potential Measure of emissions that cause acidifying effects to the environment. Kg H+ equivalent Bare et al., TRACI: the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts JIE, MIT Press, 2002. Smog Toxicity Photo chemical Oxidant Potential Human Toxicity Potential; Ecotoxicity Potential Measure of emissions of precursors that contribute to low level smog Measure of the potential toxicity of materials based on the chemical condition, original emission place and its fate. Water Water take Measure of the water consumed. Sources include surface and ground water NOx equivalent Kg Benzene equivalent, PM2.5 equivalent; Toluene equivalent; 2,4-D equivalent Kg water Bare et al., TRACI: the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts JIE, MIT Press, 2002. Bare et al., TRACI: the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts JIE, MIT Press, 2002. 27
Selected Impact Categories for Communication Energy Use Climate Change Water Uptake 28