Hanesbrands’ five more plants gain EPA recognition

Apparel retailer Hanesbrands’ five more company manufacturing facilities have bagged the US Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Challenge for Industry awards by reducing energy use by an average 18 per cent.

A Hanesbrands press release said, to-date, 23 of its facilities have earned the honour, helping it reduce energy use as well as the corresponding greenhouse gas emissions that result from energy use.

To earn ‘Challenge for Industry’ status, manufacturing plants must reduce their energy use by 10 per cent within a five-year period.

The latest five company plants to achieve the honours are located in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Thailand and Vietnam.

They have benefited from a coordinated energy management initiative and employee-driven energy-saving ideas, investments in technological improvements, including advanced heat recovery, air conditioning and compressed air systems.

“The employees at all five plants should be commended for their success in reducing energy use and protecting the environment,” EPA’s Jean Lupinacci, director of the Energy Star commercial and industrial branch said.

“Unlike most apparel marketers, Hanes owns the substantial majority of its manufacturing supply chain and can make a significant contribution to responsible environmental practices,” the company added.

Since 2007, the company has reduced its energy use by 23 per cent, its carbon emissions by 25 per cent and its water use by 31 per cent.

More than a quarter of the company’s worldwide energy use comes from renewable sources such as hydro, geothermal and biomass.

“Sound environmental practices make good business sense, although achievement requires significant planning and effort,” said Kurt Schwalbe, Hanes director of engineering and energy management.

“We are proud of our organisation’s commitment to environmental practices and which is why; we are the only apparel company to be a multiyear sustained excellence award winner from EPA Energy Star,” Schwalbe too added.