2012-2013 Sustainability Report Confirms American & Efird’s Enduring Commitment to Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Leading Sewing Thread Manufacturer’s Significant Investments In Sustaining the Environment Show Powerful Results
MOUNT HOLLY, NC (September 5, 2013) – American & Efird – (A&E) one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles for worldwide industrial markets, today announced the release of its transparent 2012-2013 Sustainability Report. The report highlights the company’s leadership and steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
“We’re gratified that our newest sustainability report shows improved cumulative results from the impact of our efforts and investments,” said John Eapen, Vice President Environmental, Health & Safety/Sustainability at American & Efird. “We remain especially proud of our zero liquid discharge plant in Perundari, India – the first in the thread industry – as well as our 50% recycle/reuse facility in Dongguan, China. The water conserved by our facilities in India and China is equivalent to the daily water usage of nearly 7 million people within these countries.”
In recent years, A&E has reinforced its commitment to creating a better world through responsible corporate actions, environmentally responsible practices and numerous contributions to the many communities in which the company operates.
A&E follows the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) standards for restricted substances. The AAFA’s Restricted Substances List (RSL) provides guidelines for the use of chemicals and substances that are restricted or banned in the production of home textile, apparel and footwear products. The RSL is revised biannually and reflects international safety and environmental standards and restrictions.
One of the first thread manufacturers to adopt a global standard of measurement, A&E uses critical data to scrutinize its engineering protocols, equipment specifications and emerging technology, with the express purpose of upgrading systems and continuing its trend of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The study analyzes the actual results of all of A&E’s global yarn spinning and dyeing and finishing facilities. The study measures A&E’s global carbon footprint, water conservation, energy consumption, recycling and waste reduction. A summary of the study’s results since 2006 are as follows:
Global Carbon Footprint *1
- A&E achieved its goal of 20 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 2006.
- Through the use of engineering protocols and equipment specification and the adoption of emerging technologies and system upgrades, A&E reduced both power consumption and fuel-burning activities.
Water Conservation
- 20 percent improvement in water conservation on a global basis over the past seven years.
- In India, A&E saved 388,168 cubic meters, which is the equivalent of water used daily by nearly three million people in India.
- In China, A&E saved 332,463 cubic meters, which is the equivalent of water used daily by nearly four million people in China.
Energy Conservation
- From 2006 to 2012, A&E’s power consumption was reduced by 6 percent.
- During the past seven years, A&E has saved 95 million kilowatt hours of electricity.
- Since an average American family of four uses 10,656 kilowatt hours of energy each year, A&E’s savings equal what nearly nine thousand American families would consume annually. In Europe, where the annual family usage rate is lower, this same amount of electricity would supply over twenty thousand families for a year.
Sustainable Packaging, Recycling & Waste Reduction
- In Sri Lanka, the goal of “Zero Waste to Landfill” was achieved in 2012.
- A&E has achieved 98 percent of its goal of “Zero Waste to Landfill” in the U.S.
ABOUT AMERICAN & EFIRD:
American & Efird – (A&E) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles for worldwide industrial markets. A&E has manufacturing centers strategically located throughout the world and distribution points in 44 countries. With a history dating back to 1891, A&E maintains a longstanding commitment to environmental health & safety, sustainability and social responsibility in all of its worldwide operations.
In 2011, A&E received safety awards from the government of India for its facilities in Ludhiana and Perundurai, India and from the government in China for its facility in Dongguan, China. In 2012, A&E was recognized with gold and silver safety awards from the state of North Carolina. And in 2013, A&E’s Dongmei, China facility was recognized for its outstanding participation in the Nike Materials Sustainability Index, receiving perfect scores in both its discharge water quality (The Nike Water Program) and water conservation practices. For more information on American & Efird, visit our website at www.amefird.com.
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*1 Greenhouse gas emissions are calculated using The Climate Registry’s General Reporting Protocol (GRP), a globally accepted reporting standard for measuring greenhouse gas progress.
