HanesBrands’ commitment to be an international leader in energy management and eco-friendly business operations has earned the company its 10th consecutive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Sustained Excellence/Partner of the Year award for continued success in energy conservation, carbon emissions reduction and environmental sustainability.
Hanes was recognized by the EPA for its 2018 environmental stewardship performance:
- Renewable energy sources accounted for 40% of the company’s energy use, up 7 percentage points compared with 2017. The company’s level of renewable energy reliance met the 2020 goal of 40% two years early.
- A 22% reduction in energy use per pound of production versus its 2007 baseline and against a goal of 40%. To date, the company’s energy reduction efforts have delivered a cumulative total cost avoidance of more than $220 million.
- A 34% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions versus its 2007 baseline, nearing its 2020 goal of a 40% reduction. Bolstered by the significant jump in Hanes’ use of renewable energy, the company posted a nearly double-digit decrease versus 2017.
- A 31% cut in water use against the company’s 2020 goal of 50% compared to its 2007 baseline. Hanes’ water use was down 2% versus 2017.
- An 86% diversion of supply chain waste, or 107 million pounds, from landfills while working toward a 2020 goal of 100%.
Also in 2018, the company – unique in the apparel industry because it owns the significant majority of its supply chain operations – developed the capability to convert wastewater sludge to energy, retrofitted 10 facilities with LED tubes and improved water efficiency in boiler operations with reverse osmosis technology.
“We’re celebrating a decade of environmental excellence with the honor of a 2019 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award because HanesBrands’ 68,000 worldwide employees have embraced environmental stewardship and actively led our energy management initiatives,” said Mike Faircloth, group president, global supply chain, information technology and e-commerce for HanesBrands. “And we’re very proud to remain the only apparel company to earn sustained excellence honors in the EPA Energy Star program’s 27-year history.
“But we have much work yet to do as we remain intensely focused on achieving our 2020 environmental sustainability goals,” he continued. “We believe this effort and our commitment to be an international leader in eco-friendly business operations creates value for our company, our investors, our consumers, our employees and our communities.”
The Energy Star award followed the February 2019 announcement that Hanes earned an A- score and leadership position in the CDP 2018 Climate Change Report. The company scored in the top 6% of nearly 7,000 companies that participated in the most recent report and achieved the highest score in the apparel industry.