2011-2012 Sustainability Report
Creating a Sustainable World – One Thread at a Time
Leading Sewing Thread Manufacturer’s Significant Investments
to the Environment Show Dramatic Results
MOUNT HOLLY, NC (October 10, 2012) – 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 2011-2012 Sustainability Report. The report, released to coincide with A&E’s Global Sustainability Managers Conference, reflects the company’s continued commitment and leadership to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
“We’re proud that our latest sustainability report shows greater cumulative results from the impact of our efforts and investments,” said John Eapen, Vice President Environmental, Health & Safety/Sustainability at American & Efird, while in attendance at the weeklong conference. “We’re particularly proud of our zero liquid discharge plant in Perundari, India and
our 50% recycle/reuse facility in Dongguan, China. The water conserved by A&E’s global operations during a year could supply 15.5 million people in India with fresh water for a day.” While others have backed away from environmental efforts, A&E has broadened its environmental responsibility. The results of which have been fruitful and have reinforced its global commitment to creating a better world through responsible corporate actions, an environmentally protective stance, and numerous contributions to the communities in which it operates.
A&E follows the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) standards. The AAFA’s Restricted Substances List (RSL) provides guidelines for chemicals and substances, which are restricted or banned in the production of home textile, apparel and footwear products. This list is revised twice a year and reflects international chemical and substance 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 specs, and emerging technology, with the express purpose of upgrading systems and continuing its trend in greenhouse gas emission reduction.
The study analyzed the actual results of all of its global yarn spinning and dyeing and finishing facilities in which A&E has ownership. Categories measured in the report include global carbon footprint, water conservation, energy consumption, recycling and waste reduction. A summary of results are as follows:
Global Carbon Footprint *1
* More than 9 percent reduction in greenhouse gas over the past six years..
* Engineering protocols, equipment specs, adoption of emerging technology and system upgrades
will ensure A&E continues to improve upon our current 9.2 percent greenhouse gas reduction rate.
Water Conservation
* 16.8 percent improvement in water conservation.
* A&E saved more than 557 million gallons, the equivalent of 2.1 million cubic meters of water
during the past six years.
Energy Conservation
* From 2006 to 2011 A&E’s electric consumption was reduced by 2.1 percent.
* During the past six years, A&E has saved 85 million kilowatt hours of electricity.
* Since an average American family of four uses 10,656 kilowatt hours of energy each year, this
means A&E’s savings equal what 7,977 American families would consume in an entire year. In
Europe, where the annual family usage rate is lower, this same amount of electricity would supply
18,213 families for a year.
Sustainable Packaging, Recycling & Waste Reduction
* A&E is 97 percent to its goal of “Zero Waste to Landfill” in the U.S.
* The remaining three percent will be accomplished through employee training and an improved
waste separation process.
For a copy of the full 2011-2012 Sustainability Report, please click here
