A staple in wardrobes worldwide, Levi’s has been a pioneer in the fashion industry since 1853. Known for their durable and stylish jeans, the brand has always embraced innovation. In recent years, this innovative spirit has extended to sustainability, with Levi’s recognizing the urgent need to address the environmental impacts of fashion production. But what do we think of Levi’s sustainability efforts so far?

On Karma Wallet, we rate Levi’s sustainability a 1 out of 16, earning them a score of neutral. We think there is more they can be doing… but they’re on the right track.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the Good and the Bad of Levi’s and their parent company, Levi Strauss & Co. Let’s answer the question: Is Levi’s fast fashion?

The Good

Climate Action Strategy

Levi’s has set ambitious goals to combat climate change. The brand is committed to achieving a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in their owned-and-operated facilities by 2025. 

Additionally, Levi’s aims to reduce emissions in their supply chain by 40% by the same year. These targets are part of their broader climate action strategy, which includes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable innovation.

Water & Energy Reduction

Levi’s turned over $6.18 billion in revenue in 2023 alone. 

On their site, they state: “Our plans and partnerships are focused on three main pillars: climate, consumption and community. We’re not shy about confronting the clothing industry’s effect on the planet.” 

On the consumption side, they’ve launched their Water<Less technology. Traditional denim production is water-intensive, but Levi’s has developed methods to reduce water usage by up to 96% in the finishing process. Since its introduction in 2011, Water<Less® has saved more than 13 billion liters of water. This technology not only conserves water but also sets a new standard for the industry.

They also established Recycle and Reduce Guidelines that makes their factories recycle more than 20% of the water used in manufacturing. 

They regularly audit their manufacturing facilities and use LED lighting and updated HVAC systems to further reduce energy consumption and promote energy efficiency.

Clothing Consumption & Materials

Levi’s commitment to sustainability is also evident in their choice of materials. The brand has increasingly incorporated organic cotton, recycled cotton, Tencel, and other eco-friendly fibers into their products. They’ve also fully banned PFCs and PFAS from all of their products.

They also work to make their clothing more durable, and “designed for circularity”, to reduce the fast fashion consumption rate and empower consumers to keep their clothes for longer.

The Bad

Labor Standards 

The fashion industry is plagued by issues of labor exploitation, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. While Levi’s has made efforts to address these issues, they still source from countries with poor labor practices. Most of their products are made overseas in countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, or Indonesia.

And Levi’s has been criticized for failing to sign the International Accord to protect garment workers in Bangladesh and Pakistan. 

Levi’s has long championed worker well-being, claiming they support fair labor practices and safe working conditions throughout their supply chain. Despite that claim, very few parts of their supply chain are certified by third-party labor standards that ensure worker health. They also have not ensured the payment of a living wage for ALL workers.

Transparency & Emissions

Levi Strauss & Co. scored an overall rating of 60% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index. They’re sharing some information with their customers… but not everything, which leaves us with some questions. 

The metrics used to measure progress are often self-reported and lack independent verification. Additionally, Levi’s sustainability goals and timelines can be vague, making it difficult to hold the company accountable. 

While Levi’s has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieving these goals is a complex challenge. The majority of Levi’s carbon footprint comes from its supply chain, including cotton farming, manufacturing, and transportation.

Despite their commitment to reducing emissions, Levi’s continues to operate within a global supply chain that relies heavily on fossil fuels. 

Levi’s Sustainability Rating on Karma Wallet

Levi’s journey towards sustainability is a testament to their dedication to innovation and responsibility. But, the fashion industry is still one of the biggest overall polluters on our planet – right after the oil industry.

Through our 40+ data sources, we rate Levi’s sustainability a 1 out of 16. There is more they can do – and hopefully they use their nearly 150+ years in the fashion industry to become a pioneer in the movement towards sustainable fashion.

Explore their entire Company Rating on Karma Wallet below! Plus, when you shop with the Karma Wallet Card, you’ll earn 1.95% cashback on your Levi’s purchase.