SUSTAINABILITY

Solving for the
big picture

Sustainability is woven into our very DNA at Elevate Textiles. It’s part of everything we are, everything we do, and everything we strive to be.

Check Out Our 2023 Sustainability Report

2025 Sustainability Goals

Elevate brands are committed to achieving sustainability milestones by the year 2025 in three key environmental areas – water, fibers and greenhouse gases.

  • etex_icon_water_w

    Reduce Water Consumption

    Elevate manufacturing operations will reduce its water intensity by 25% per unit of production.

  • etex_icon_fibers_w

    Responsibly Source Fibers

    Elevate brand products will be produced using at least 80% sustainably sourced cotton and 50% recycled polyester content.

  • etex_icon_energy_w

    Reduce Greenhouse Gases

    As part of the Science Based Target (SBT) Program, Elevate will reduce greenhouse gases by 4.2% per year.

Water

Handling the planet’s most precious resource with care

Sustainable water usage is about more than just saving water. We’re committed to the highest standards in water management and treatment, and always looking for opportunities to minimize our water footprint through investment and innovation.

%
Reduced Water Use

 

A&E has reduced its global water consumption in liters per kilogram of thread by 48 percent since 2006.

%
to 40%
Ultra-filtration &
Reverse Osmosis

The Ultra-Filtration (UF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) system allows JBT to recycle 30-40% of its water demand to be recycled as part of the manufacturing process.

precision_pattern

Energy

Keeping focus on energy efficiency

Our drive to improve energy efficiency and minimize our carbon footprint is unwavering at Elevate Textiles—one that continues as we meet new challenges and show results through investments in technology and conservation training.

%
Cogeneration

Cogeneration supplies 90 percent of the electrical needs of Cone Denim Parras in Coahuila, Mexico.

%
Renewable Fuels

48 percent of the fuel used to create steam in A&E dyeing operations came from renewable carbon-neutral fuels in 2017.

performance_pattern

Waste

A commitment to zero waste

Our drive to minimize waste and recycle our resources in every way possible is a commitment that’s central to our core values and the way we do business. From the materials we purchase to the manufacturing byproducts we recycle, the goal is always zero waste.

sustainability_waste_section@2x

Our Standards

Pledging consistent,
responsible chemistry

Sustainability and consistency in the manufacturing process and our commitment to the use of clean chemistry—and only clean chemistry—is fundamental to the way we do business.
Just as important, it’s a pillar of what we believe to be our social responsibility.

ZDHC_Contibutor logo copy
blue_sign_logo
aafwa_logo

Sustainable Components

From procurement to final product.

We promote sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.

bci_logo
E3-logo
cotton_leads_logo
OCS-Logos-1
RCS logo
GRS

Partners

New elements.
New technologies.
New breakthroughs.

One of the keys to a sustained success and a sustainable future is having the right partners—partners as dedicated to responsible practices and innovative ways to improve performance on every level as we are.

lenzing_logo

Specializing in Sustainable Fibers

tencel_logo

Biodegradable Fibers

earthspun_logo

Recycled Yarn

Natural Colorants for Textiles

Natural Colorants for Textiles

375_logo

Technology for Climate Sustainability

Recycled Thread Using Bottles

Recycled Thread and Yarn Using Bottles

Recycled filament from Sea Debris

Recycled filament from Sea Debris

Recycled Polyester Fibers

Recycled Polyester Fibers

Highlighting Solutions

REPREVE®

Turning recycled bottles
into ethical threads

One significant way Elevate Textiles has ensured a positive and sustainable global impact is through the use of REPREVE®—a performance fiber made by Unifi from recycled plastic bottles.

contact_our_brands_a&e_logo

A&E offers a number of sustainable REPREVE thread products for use in apparel and non-apparel applications, which gives manufacturers, brands and retailers the ability to create environmentally responsible products.

contact_our_brands_burlington_logo

Burlington has been recognized by the makers of REPREVE as a “Champion of Sustainability” for recycling over 100 million bottles. This award celebrates Unifi’s brand and textile partners who have shown exemplary commitment to sustainability.

Cone_Small

Cone Denim has also been named a REPREVE “Champion of Sustainability” for its role as a Partner in Innovation. The Cone-Unifi partnership led to development of TruTone™ Future BLACK+ denim. A pair of these TruTone jeans contain as many as 17 recycled plastic bottles.