Clean Agency

In 2018, we collaborated with sustainable footwear company Allbirds to develop an internal LCA tool to evaluate the impacts associated with different product scenarios—including different material blends, manufacturing processes and locations, and more. Read more about our collaboration with Allbirds and other case studies here: https://lnkd.in/eUgzAs9r #LCA #sustainability #circulareconomy #lifecycleassessment

Have you ever wondered about the environmental impacts of #VerticalFarming? 🥬🍓🥕 A recent study published in Frontiers titled "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of an On-Site Modular Cabinet Vertical Farm" analyzed the environmental impacts of producing 1kg of lettuce 🥬 and basil in a GrowOff vertical cabinet farm by Stockholm-based Grönska Stadsodling 🇸🇪. The findings were then compared to lettuce and basil grown using conventional methods. Key findings from the study include: 🥬 For lettuce production, electricity use accounted for the largest share of impacts across nearly all impact categories. However, for the Resource Use - Metals and Minerals category, the system's infrastructure had the highest impact. 💧 Producing 1g of lettuce required 3 liters of water, largely due to water depletion from the electricity conversion process. 🥬 GrowOff lettuce had lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than most conventionally sourced lettuce. While production-related emissions were higher than for field-grown lettuce, the absence of international and domestic distribution significantly reduced overall impact. Interestingly, lettuce grown in Sweden during its natural season for local consumption had equal or lower emissions in some cases. To dive deeper into how vertically farmed basil and lettuce compare to conventional methods, read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/gTKANTC7 #agriculture #farming #sustainability #food #LCA

Have you ever heard of the term "Carbon Tunnel Vision"? It was coined by Jan Konietzko, referring to a common practice in the world of sustainability where professionals focus merely on understanding and reducing the carbon emissions associated with a product or service, and fail to address other impact areas (eutrophication, human rights & land change, ecotoxicity, etc.). In our newest blog below written by Mitch Webster, explore how conducting a Life cycle assessment (LCA) with Clean can help you avoid carbon tunnel vision and divide your sustainability efforts across numerous impact categories. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e5mEEeFp #LCA #lifecycleassessment #emissions #sustainability

Emily Chan, the Senior Sustainability & Features Editor at British Vogue, recently wrote an article showcasing the 24 of the "best sustainable clothing brands." Here are some highlights from the list: 👚 Reformation—started in LA in 2009 and has the goal of being climate positive by 2025. A few years back we performed a Cradle-to-Grave LCA for them and helped develop a web-based (customer facing) tool called RefScale, allowing users to see the carbon and water footprint of each item compared to conventional clothing items. 👗 Ganni A/S—based out of Denmark and has a "Future Initiative" that works to partner with start ups to create breakthrough "Farbics of the Future"—including fabrics made from bacteria. 👖 Chloé—became the first "luxury house" to acheive B-Corp status in 2021 and has comittied to ensuring "90% of its materials are lower-impact by 2025." Read about the other 20 companies here: https://lnkd.in/e3tmX-iy #clothing #fashion #sustainablefashion #circulareconomy

A few months ago, we shared that the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy was launching two new Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to build upon their foundational 2008 study. Now, as Trellis Group highlights in a recent article, advancements in data granularity and research methodologies have made these LCAs "more informative and actionable than ever before." The two LCAs, expected to be published next year, are focusing on key aspects of the U.S. dairy industry: 🐄 Dairy production at the field and farm level 🥛 Dairy processing One notable improvement in the new methodology is the shift away from relying on surveys for data collection. Instead, researchers are using publicly available primary data from the USDA and combining it with remote sensing technologies, such as satellite imagery. We’re excited to see the findings and track the progress the U.S. dairy industry has made since 2008. Read more about the initiative here: https://lnkd.in/eVwP_33S #lifecycleassessment #dairy #agriculture #sustainability #LCA

Emily Chan, the Senior Sustainability & Features Editor at British Vogue, recently wrote an article showcasing the 24 of the "best sustainable clothing brands." Here are some highlights from the list: 👚 Reformation—started in LA in 2009 and has the goal of being climate positive by 2025. A few years back we performed a Cradle-to-Grave LCA for them and helped develop a web-based (customer facing) tool called RefScale, allowing users to see the carbon and water footprint of each item compared to conventional clothing items. 👗 Ganni A/S—based out of Denmark and has a "Future Initiative" that works to partner with start ups to create breakthrough "Farbics of the Future"—including fabrics made from bacteria. 👖 Chloé—became the first "luxury house" to acheive B-Corp status in 2021 and has comittied to ensuring "90% of its materials are lower-impact by 2025." Read about the other 20 companies here: https://lnkd.in/e3tmX-iy #clothing #fashion #sustainablefashion #circulareconomy

Did you know that fabrics and textiles can be made from Aloe Vera? Dezeen reports that UK-based startup Kirkby Design created a new "wide-format drapery textile" made from 60% aloe vera and 40% organic cotton. Kirkby Design highlights that aloe-based fabric is "more sustainable" than conventional textiles because aloe doesn’t require pesticides, uses less water than cotton and other plants, and contributes to a #CircularEconomy by using byproducts from the cosmetics industry as a raw material for their new fabric. Jordan Mould, Design Director at Kirkby, was quoted in dezeen, stating: "The R&D process took considerable time as we had to perfect the fibre's weight, texture and color, ensuring it met the standards we set for both sustainability and performance. The resulting yarn not only offers a soft, luxurious touch but also performs exceptionally well, making it suitable for both aesthetic and practical applications." Read more on the innovation here: https://lnkd.in/eqMJtgbj #design #sustainabledesign #biomaterials #textiles

In exciting news, prAna has partnered with seaweed packaging brand Sway to replace their plastic poly bags with home compostable bags made of Sway's material🌿 The Cool Down notes that consumers can expect to recieve orders in these sustainable bags by the end of 2024 or start of 2025. Read more on the partnership here: https://lnkd.in/eZfBxnsd #packaging #sustainablepackaging #seaweed #sustainability

A recent Fashion Dive article by Laurel Deppen and Lara Ewen highlights 5 ways the recent election in the United States will impact the fashion industry, the 5 ways include: ▪️ Imports and Tariffs (98% of apparel consumed in US in imported) ▪️ Rise in domestic manufacturing ▪️ Sustainability & ESG Uncertainties ▪️ Potentially more Mergers & Acquisitions ▪️ Potential shifts in consumer spending habits Do you agree with their analysis? Comment below! Read more on how the 2024 election might shift the domestic and global packaging industry here: https://lnkd.in/eR4AyfqU #fashion #sustainablefashion #fashionindustry

In recent news, Sustainability Magazine reports that eBay has announced that it will be investing 1.2 million USD in its "Circular Fashion Fund" (CFF) in 2025. The CFF is aimed at creating cross-sector partnerships to catalyze entreprenuership in the realm of circular and sustainable fashion solutions. The partnerships involve eBay and fashion councils around the world, including British Fashion Council, Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Fashion Council Germany, and the Australian Fashion Council (AFC). According to Sustainability Magazine, since its launch in 2021 the CFF has supported 15 startups to help scale their "circular solutions". Including RCYCL, who created a "innovative at-home fashion recycling program targeting unwearable clothing". Aside from funding, CFF offers 200+ hours of support and mentorship to help these startups reach their potential. Read more on eBay's CFF here: https://lnkd.in/gdhQCZuT #fashion #sustainablefashion #circulareconomy #sustainability