Is Levi's Fast Fashion? An Expert Breakdown!

It’s a wonderful thing to be eco-conscious, but it can be challenging to learn if fashion industries are actually doing something about it.

As customers, you have the power to change things by acting and making more informed decisions. The world will be more sustainable for coming generations if everyone starts evaluating their choices.

Levis (Levi Strauss & Co.) is a much more sustainable brand than many others that has around 500 stores in the world. It is considered one of the biggest and most famous clothing brands worldwide.

The brand started when Levi Strauss, opened a company of dry products in 1852. During that time, he realized that hardworking individuals needed clothing that could withstand anything.

Hence, in 1873, he and Jacob Davis created the first waist overalls, combining durable denim with copper rivet reinforcing. We now refer to them as "blue jeans."

Since the brand focuses on producing durable clothes that are meant to last for a long time, it is not fast fashion. In fact, Levi’s is against fast fashion and does not promote it.

The brand uses the least amount of natural resources to manufacture its long-lasting clothes. If it’s your favorite brand and you want to know if it’s good for the environment, keep reading the article till the end. 

Sustainability Rating: 7/10

Category: Clothing, footwear, bags, accessories

For: Men, women, kids

Products: Straight jeans, slim jeans, skinny jeans, tapered jeans, bootcut jeans, relaxed jeans, t-shirts, polos, shirts, hoodies, sweaters, shorts, pants & chinos, trucker jackets, outerwear, underwear, socks, shoes

Style: Trendy, classic

Quality: High

Prices: $

Sizes: XS-XL, 0-18 (US), 4-20 (UK), 32-48 (EU), 6-22 (AU)

Fabrics: polyester, cotton, spandex, linen, viscose, nylon, polyurethane, acrylic, modal, wool,

100% Organic: No

100% Vegan: No

Ethical & Fair: Yes

Recycling: Yes

Manufacturing countries: USA, Cambodia, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Spain, Thailand, Italy, Argentina, Portugal, Turkey

Certifications: GOTS, OCS, RDS, FSC, LWG

Interpretation Of The Sustainability Score

Fashion brands are considered considerably sustainable and eco-friendly if they receive a sustainability score of 5 out of 10.

These brands are constantly striving to leave the least amount of carbon footprint and make sure their waste products don’t end up in landfills.

Moreover, such brands are open and transparent about their sustainability approaches as they have acceptable information on their website.

What Are The Sustainability Practices Of Levi’s?

Levi’s makes clothes that are meant to withstand wear and tear. They have been promoting sustainability for a better future.

Before they collaborate, they make sure they take the environment, consumption of natural resources, and communities into account.

They don’t claim to be 100% sustainable, but they are making progress. They are always striving to opt for sustainable alternatives.

They launched a campaign in 2021, Buy Better, Wear Longer, to promote eco-friendly purchasing options and create awareness regarding the issue.

They are also conscious about their choices, the kinds of materials they use in their clothing, and how to reduce their carbon footprint.

They claim to use as little natural resources as possible. Their clothes are made of renewable and recyclable content under Recycle and Reuse guidelines.

One of their major achievements is using less water in the manufacturing of their products. In fact, they have saved around 13 billion liters of water from 2011 to 2022.

Moreover, they also check their manufacturing facilities to make sure they limit their use of natural resources, reuse them, and are energy efficient.

They have recently introduced plant-based jeans using around 97% of plant materials. This approach will definitely encourage fashion brands to use renewable materials and minimize the use of synthetic products.

These jeans are manufactured with organic cotton that is OCS-certified and sourced ethically. This shows Levi’s is adopting sustainable and eco-friendly approaches which will only improve in the future.

What Are The Ethical Practices Of The Brand?

Levi’s is against all kinds of corruption and illegal practices. They only partner with those who are honest and transparent about their business tactics.

The ethical practices of Levi’s include the following:

• Wages that meet the laws
• Flexible work schedule, allowing at least one day off a week
• No use of child labor ages less than 14 years
• No use of forced labor
• No use of prison labor
• No discrimination in the workplace, allowing individuals from every culture to work freely
• Offering adequate health and safety to all employees

Not only do they engage in the above-mentioned practices, but they also make sure their manufacturers follow them.

Do They Give Back To The Community?

They started giving back to the community when the founder of the brand first donated back in 1854. Now, to live up to that heritage, they make sure their employees also volunteer, for which they get paid.

They have been giving back to the community in the following ways:

• The Levi Strauss Foundation (LSF) donated around $3 million during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• They provide clean water to everyone around the world while also making sure they consume the least amount of water to manufacture their products through their Water<Less approach.
• Their employees volunteer at Goodwill stores for donation drives.
• They engage in Women’s marches.
• They donate to people in need after natural disasters.
• They run jeans collection drives to promote recycling practices.
• Finally, through their Buy Better, Wear Longer campaign, they have been able to promote sustainability.

What Are The Animal Welfare Policies Of The Brand?

Levi’s makes sure the materials used in its clothing are cruelty-free and meet the guidelines given by animal welfare experts.

Their animal-derived products are, therefore, sourced keeping in mind all the animal welfare policies. These products include:

• Wool (will be Responsible Wool Standard-Certified by 2025)
• Leather (Leather Working Group certified)
• Down (Responsible Down Standard certified)

They don’t use angora, mohair, fur, or exotic animal skin, and are strictly against the use of products made from endangered species.

Their animal welfare policies are transparent and mentioned in detail on their website. This shows how serious they are regarding their sustainable and ethical practices.

The brand still has a long way to go to become much more sustainable, but the good thing is that it is eco-conscious and always working hard to improve its business strategies.

Sources:

https://www.vogue.in/story/think-green-and-stride-sustainably-with-levis-denims-that-are-crafted-to-last/

https://www.levistrauss.com/sustainability/report/ 

https://www.ecotextile.com/2023092631211/fashion-retail-news/levi-s-claims-sustainability-progress-report.html 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YhydjSnuL4 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v2krkuB42A&pp=ygUObGV2aSdzIHJldmlld3M%3D 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrnuHbRamCs&pp=ygUObGV2aSdzIHJldmlld3M%3D 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efm8ciAnt_g&pp=ygUVbGV2aSdzIHN1c3RhaW5hYmlsaXR5 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb9Q3kNOPRI&pp=ygUVbGV2aSdzIHN1c3RhaW5hYmlsaXR5 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0cE2c_-tP0&pp=ygUVbGV2aSdzIHN1c3RhaW5hYmlsaXR5 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl5Y61lRHh4