Environmental Leader

Aimed at saving more energy, using less materials and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Hanes has released a set of global environmental performance goals that includes increasing its use of renewable energy to 30 percent of its total energy consumption, and reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by 15 percent, from a 2007 baseline, by 2012.

The company already exceeded its goal to reduce water consumption by 10 percent, achieving an 18 percent reduction.

By the end of 2009, Hanes said its monthly rate of renewable energy use was 30 percent. To date, the company has reduced carbon-dioxide emissions by 12 percent per product produced due to higher efficiency and increased use of renewable energy.

Hanes also cut its energy use by 9 percent in 2009, compared to the previous year, and by 11 percent since 2007. In 2009, the apparel maker also reduced its carbon-dioxide emissions from its transportation and logistics operations by 41 percent by shifting some product shipments from truck to rail transportation and by minimizing air freight. Click here for Hanes’ listing of core performance metrics.

Sustainable buildings are another part of the company’s environmental strategy. Currently, Hanes has three facilities certified by U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards including one of the largest certified warehouses in the world in Perris, Calif. It is seeking four additional certifications and is on track to have 20 percent of its total leased and owned space LEED certified.

In the product area, Hanes is using EcoSmart recycled polyester and recovered cotton waste fiber for select fleece and sock products, respectively. In 2010, the company expects to save the equivalent of 2,600 barrels of oil and 380 tons of CO2 emissions by shrinking package sizes and switching to a lighter-gauge film for several high-volume products.

In addition to setting new environmental performance goals, the apparel manufacturer has also launched a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) Website, www.HanesbrandsCSR.com, and earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star 2010 Partner of the Year Award.

Energy Star Leaders prevented the emissions of more than 220,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and saved more than $48 million across their commercial building portfolios in 2009, quadrupling their savings since 2008.

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