The best things in life are free – like rain water
We believe in using water responsibly. Last year, the H&M group harvested the equivalent of two Olympic-size swimming pools of rain water, putting this precious resource to good use in our sustainable production processes. For H&M group – a company determined to lead the world of sustainable fashion – it all makes perfect environmental sense.
We may be top notch when it comes to designing cutting-edge fashion, but we aim just as high with our sustainability efforts. For the fashion industry, water is essential for cotton cultivation, textile dyeing and finishing. Water is a scarce resource worldwide and we want to take our responsibility and facilitate innovations and setting new standards for the industry.
Harvesting rainwater for use in our production processes is one of our climate-smart initiatives, illustrating that we are determined to limit our environmental footprint.
Why do we harvest rainwater?
Shariful Hoque, Water Sustainability Responsible at the Global Production Office in Bangladesh, explains why a fashion company should place great importance on collecting a reliable clear, clean, cost-free supply of water. “Rainwater is amazing because it comes for free and is of really high quality,” he says. “By using rainwater – instead of ground or supply water – in our value chain, we have less impact on water usage.
Why is it essential for the H&M group to reduce the amount of water through the value chain?
“We want to become the leader when it comes to sustainable fashion. That’s a big challenge! But by teaming up with important business partners, such as WWF, Sweden Textile Water Initiative and PaCT (Partnership For Cleaner Textiles, editor’s note) in Bangladesh, we facilitate innovations and set new standards for the entire industry.”
Shariful Hoque
Title: Water Sustainability Responsible.
Department: Global Production Office, Bangladesh.
Years working at H&M group: Four