Understanding the Sustainability Index

Garment Sustainability Index (GSI)

The Garment Sustainability Index is a powerful tool designed to evaluate and provide an overall assessment of a product's environmental and social sustainability. This index combines various key parameters that affect sustainability in garment production, including materials, sourcing, durability, energy consumption, fabric usage, material wastage, and the level of manpower or machinery required. By calculating a weighted score across these parameters, the Sustainability Index provides a comprehensive overview of a product's sustainability, offering valuable insights for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike.

Below, we dive deeper into each parameter that contributes to the index, explaining how it impacts sustainability.

◆︎ Material Composition

The materials used in a product are a critical factor in determining its environmental footprint. This parameter evaluates the sustainability of the materials used, based on their production process and environmental impact.

Highly Sustainable: Materials that are sourced responsibly and are eco-friendly, such as organic cotton or recycled fabrics.
Moderately Sustainable: Materials that are sustainably sourced but may have a higher environmental footprint in their production or processing.
Less Sustainable: Materials that are not sustainably sourced, often using harmful chemicals or unsustainable farming practices.

Why it matters: The type of material directly influences the product's environmental impact, from the energy consumed during production to the waste generated during manufacturing.

◆︎ Sourcing of Fabrics

This parameter assesses the origin of the fabrics used in the product. Local sourcing tends to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, while international sourcing can increase the environmental footprint.

Local: Fabrics sourced from within the country or region, reducing transportation emissions.
Inter-state: Fabrics sourced from other states or regions within a country.
International: Fabrics sourced from other countries, contributing to higher transportation emissions and carbon footprint.

Why it matters: The closer the sourcing location, the lower the impact of transportation. Sourcing locally is a more sustainable option for reducing overall emissions and promoting regional economies.

◆︎ Garment Durability

The durability of a garment plays a significant role in its sustainability. A long-lasting product reduces the need for frequent replacements, helping to minimize waste.

Maximum Durability: Garments that are designed to last for an extended period, with high-quality craftsmanship and materials.
Moderate Durability: Garments with average durability, requiring some maintenance or care but lasting for a reasonable amount of time.
Not so Durable: Garments that wear out quickly and may need to be replaced after a short period of use.

Why it matters: Durable products contribute to a reduction in consumption by extending their useful life, minimizing the environmental impact over time.

◆︎ Energy Consumption

Energy consumption during production and operation of machinery significantly impacts a product’s environmental sustainability.

Low: Low energy consumption during manufacturing and product life.
Moderate: Average energy consumption with efforts made to reduce waste.
High: High energy consumption with minimal efforts to reduce energy use.

Why it matters: Reducing energy consumption during the production process and throughout the product lifecycle lowers the overall carbon footprint of the product.

◆︎ Material Usage per Garment

This parameter evaluates how efficiently the materials are used during garment production, including fabric waste and cutting efficiency.

Minimum Usage: Only the required amount of material is used to create the product, minimizing waste.
Optimal Usage: Materials are used efficiently with minimal waste during production.
Extra Fabric: Excess fabric is used, leading to significant wastage and inefficiencies.

Why it matters: Efficient use of materials ensures that fewer resources are wasted during the manufacturing process, contributing to a more sustainable product lifecycle.

◆︎ Material Wastage (Cuts & Trims)

Material wastage refers to the leftover fabric from cutting and trimming the garment during production. This parameter evaluates how well the manufacturing process minimizes waste.

Minimum leftover fabric: The production process is optimized to minimize waste and leftover materials.
Moderate leftover fabric: Some material wastage occurs, but efforts are made to reduce it.
Too much leftover fabric: Significant amounts of fabric are wasted, indicating inefficiency in the production process.

Why it matters: Reducing material wastage lowers the environmental impact by preventing excess materials from going to landfills and promoting more sustainable manufacturing practices.

◆︎ Manpower/Machinery/Processes Involved

This parameter measures the level of manpower, machinery, and processes required during the manufacturing of the product. Efficient processes with less resource-intensive operations are considered more sustainable.

Less manpower/machinery required: The product is manufactured with minimal resources, utilizing automated processes and efficient machinery.
Moderate manpower/machinery required: Average resources and machinery are used, balancing efficiency with the necessary human labor.
Maximum manpower/machinery required: A high number of workers and machinery are needed, indicating less efficient processes and higher resource consumption.

Why it matters: Efficient use of manpower and machinery helps reduce labor costs, lowers energy consumption, and promotes environmentally friendly practices.