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How sustainable is Fruit of the Loom ?

Fruit of the Loom & sustainability


Fruit-of-the-loom-logo

5 out of 16

Sustainability summary

Based on our sustainability criteria, Fruit of the Loom has achieved the C-label. This means that Fruit of the Loom has an average score compared to other brands in the fashion, clothing and shoes sector. The company has taken good steps in the area of labor conditions, for example workers’ rights. In the area of environmental policy there is room for improvement. We would love to see that Fruit of the Loom will make more use of environmentally 'preferred' raw materials in order to improve the score.

Brand owner: Fruit of the Loom, Inc
Head office: Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA
Sector: Lingerie & underwear
Categories : Male, Female, Kids
Free Tags: Fruit of the Loom, Shirts

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What's your sustainability news about Fruit of the Loom?

Fruit of the Loom sustainability score report

Last edited: 6 April 2013 by Mario
Last reviewed: 6 April 2013 by Mario

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

1 out of 4
1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions? Fruit of the Loom has taken several policy measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as energy conservation, reducing packaging, recycling and reducing transport distances. Source
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual absolute carbon footprint of its 'own operations' (Scope 1 & 2) and has the brand already reduced or compensated 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years? Fruit of the Loom has published a reduction on their green house gas emissions (see transportation), however the company does not provide details on how this compares from previous years' carbon footprint. Source
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its absolute ‘own operations’ carbon emissions by at least 20% within the next 5 years? See remark for carbon emissions question 2. Source
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the product supply chain that is beyond own operations (Scope 3)? Fruit of the Loom requires from all suppliers to sign a Code of Conduct which includes a standard on environmental compliance. Suppliers should maintain records and auditors conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct. However, no explicit goals or requirements for suppliers are given. Source

Questions about Environmental Policy

0 out of 4
1. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 5% of its volume? Fruit of the Loom does not communicate any information concerning the use of environmentally 'preferred' raw materials in their environmental policy. Source
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
4. Does the brand (company) have an environmental policy related to the ‘wet processes’ within the production cycle, like bleaching and dying of fabrics? Fruit of the Loom environmental report states a reduction in the use of chemicals within their manufacturing process. However, no substantial information is provided concerning thier policy related to the ‘wet processes’ within the production cycle on its website. Source

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

4 out of 8
1. Does the brand (company) have a supplier Code of Conduct (CoC) which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labor, no child labor, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace? All standards are mentioned in Fruit of the Loom Code of Conduct. Source
2. Does this CoC include at least two of the following workers rights: 1. to have a formally registered employment relationship 2. to have a maximum working week of 48 hours with voluntary and paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage? Within the Code of Conduct: 1. Yes, a legally-binding employment relationships ; 2. Yes, maximum workweek of 48 hours, overtime (max 12 hours) is generally voluntary; 3. Yes, commitment to implement payment that meets worker's basic needs and provide some discretionary income. Source
3. Does this Code of Conduct include the right for workers to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; and in those situations where these rights are restricted under law, the right to facilitate parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining? Freedom of association is mentioned, but nothing found about situations in which this right is restricted by law. Source
4. Does the brand (company) have a published list of direct suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume? Fruit of the Loom does not provide a significant list of direct suppliers on its website. Source
5. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labor conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labor conditions? Fruit of the Loom is a member of Fair Labor Association. Source
6. Do independent civil society organizations like NGO's and labor unions have a decisive voice in this collective initiative or in these certification schemes? Fair Labor Association is acknowledged as a ‘Multi Stakeholder Initiative’ (MSI). Source
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labor conditions policy? Fruit of the Loom´s subsidary Russell Brands, LLC reports on the results of its labor conditions policy. However, with regard to the brand Fruit of the Loom no tangible have been published. Source
8. Has the brand’s labor conditions policy resulted in a ‘compliance level’ of at least 30% of the purchase volume, or a ‘monitored level' of at least 80%? See remark for labor conditions policy question 7. Source