5 companies in Mexico with sustainable practices
Restoring our Earth must be a priority for everyone to stop and reverse the degradation it has suffered. The interest in sustainability is not a fad; it is our opportunity to rebuild the environment and is a movement that is moving towards a long-term investment strategy and that in 10 or 15 years will be completely commonplace in global markets. Being a company with Sustainable Development strategies has several benefits. Incorporating these strategies benefits our companies, as it demonstrates transparency, creates financial value, improves our organization's reputation, promotes continuous improvement, helps manage regulatory compliance, strengthens risk management and stewardship, improves the management system and decision-making, attracts and retains key talent, attracts long-term capital with more favorable financial conditions, and improves our competitive position in the market. Below, we show you different sustainable actions that some of the most important companies in our country are implementing. At GDI Uniforms we are your suppliers and strategic partners to work together to reduce our environmental impact. The company has PetStar in Mexico, the world's largest recycling plant, and IMER, the first recycling plant built in Latin America. Together they can process more than 85,000 tons of this material per year, which is equivalent to filling the Azteca Stadium three times. This investment includes initiatives for recycling plant infrastructure, collection and recycling in a three-year plan and strengthens its commitment as the main recycler of food-grade PET in the country, IMCC (The Mexican Coca-Cola Industry) detailed in a statement. They have a joint work plan with their Private Label suppliers to achieve several milestones. Among these, the following stand out: 100% recyclable packaging, certification of the use of palm oil and its derivatives, as well as certification for the use of paper, cellulose and wood in the manufacture of its packaging, as well as the objective that all products containing soy or those derived from the meat marketing chain are produced without risks of deforestation. With a focus on tackling environmental problems, they also announced their commitment to drastically reduce and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in their operations by 2040. The Sustainable Barley Innovation Program (PICES) offers support to farmers to provide them with the best technologies available in the sector and thus seek to achieve the best yields, income and obtain a higher quality barley grain for Heineken beers. This initiative for the countryside seeks to sustainably impact the agricultural sector in Mexico. It has a Sustainable Uniforms program, through which uniforms for its employees were acquired that are made of 50 percent cotton and 50 percent recycled PET fibers. These uniforms, when they reach the end of their useful life, are transformed into rags and other products; in 2020, 16,657 pieces were collected, equivalent to 5,552 kilograms of fabric. We have sustainable programs such as regenerated garments, sustainable garments and uniform destruction, each of them aligned with our strategic pillars of: At GDI Uniforms as your strategic partner, we take care of your brand and we take care of the environment.
Saving the planet: Sustainability in the automotive industry.
While the automotive industry is ahead of other sectors in meeting global sustainability standards, it still faces strategic challenges in the area of sustainability. In the last decade, the concept of sustainability has emerged as a major challenge for this industry, and this new way of visualizing cars has permeated the industry completely, to the point of forging a new philosophy within each of the automotive companies. At the beginning of the decade, there were hardly any options for eco-friendly, hybrid, or electric cars; today the competition is fierce and the options are simply spectacular. Now, regardless of whether the car is electric or gasoline-powered, sustainability has reached everyone. Polluting emissions are being reduced more and more, and the industry is making significant investments to develop recyclable materials for interiors and other accessories. 2021 looks set to be an incredible year for the automotive sector, as the new normal is a period in which manufacturers are prioritizing aspects such as electrification, autonomous and intelligent driving. Furthermore, the value chains of multinational automotive companies will also undergo visible changes, in sales, after-sales service and other services, as well as social and environmental responsibility initiatives. We're sharing sustainable actions that automotive companies are implementing, with the ultimate goal of taking care of our planet. Cupra: The Spanish company has reached an agreement with Seaqual Yarn to manufacture the standard seats of its first electric car, the Cupra Born, using recycled marine plastic extracted from oceans, rivers, estuaries and seas. It is the fishermen, various non-governmental organizations and local communities who collect these products in order to make the weaving. This circular economy contributes to the continuous cleaning of seas, rivers and oceans. Bridgestone: It has set itself the goal of reducing its global carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. For Mexico, the brand has launched different initiatives, such as adapting backup boilers to use diesel for steam generation instead of fuel oil. This led it to reduce, in 2020 alone, the emissions generated in its operation by 17%, compared to the previous year. Among other actions, it has implemented a circular economy in which it uses 100 percent sustainable materials in its products. Its plant in Cuernavaca, Morelos, has a waste recycling rate of 97 percent, as well as a program for manufacturing "llancreto", a material used for paving, from discarded tires. At GDI Uniforms we have extensive experience in the automotive sector. We are suppliers and strategic partners of the following companies, so that together we can achieve a positive impact on the care of our environment. KIA: In its commitment to sustainability and the environment, it seeks to improve and perfect its processes to create 100 percent environmentally friendly cars, and an example of this is its painting process, where volatile organic compounds are channeled through its Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (ROT) system, which purifies the air to be released into the environment without polluting residues. This system, used in their paint shop, is one of the cleanest processes in the automotive industry, where the company not only seeks to beautify its cars with the highest quality standards, but to do so through technologies that allow them to minimize their ecological impact and create sustainable processes. Roshfrans: At its plant in Actopan, Hidalgo, they have ISO 14001:2015 certification, an environmental management system that allows them to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations, as well as collaborate in the preservation of the environment. They have also implemented an environmentally friendly product project, namely sustainable Roshpack packaging with 70% less plastic. Lightweight, flexible, and economical, the innovative 4-liter Roshpack bags, along with our traditional 950ml Roshpack, are made of multi-laminated film that guarantees long-lasting preservation of the products, as well as lightweight packaging that helps reduce CO2 emissions. During the production of Roshpack bags, the carbon footprint is reduced, allowing for the measurement of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions derived from the production and distribution of the product. Environmental protection has become a fundamental part for all participants in the automotive industry. We know that this industry is made up of a long chain of roles and types of work, managers, salespeople, administrative and security personnel. For each of them, we have the garment that provides security and comfort, while projecting the company's image to its clients and collaborators. At GDI Uniforms we develop sustainable solutions: We have sustainable programs such as regenerated garments, sustainable garments and uniform destruction, each of them is aligned to take care of your brand and take care of the environment.
Latin American companies are committed to sustainability
In a survey of 450 CEOs, 60% said they have a strong affinity for issues such as gender equality, circular economy, climate change, and the workforce of the future. Sustainability and the circular economy, which a few years ago were almost ignored practices, quickly climbed among the priorities of the most prominent companies in Latin America and the world, and came to be among the aspects that receive the most attention today. Furthermore, 45% of business leaders in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico said they already have a sustainability strategy in their organizations; and 22% said they are working on one, placing this issue as a priority agenda among corporations in the region. The CEOs' responses suggest that sustainability is not seen as a "standalone program" but as a cross-cutting or multidisciplinary issue, a way of approaching business. Today it is difficult not to associate a company's profitability and economic development with its sustainability policy. Not only because a sustainable business is one that will be able to sustain itself in the long term, but for several other reasons: customer preference in choosing products and brands, talent attraction, and regulatory compliance. In all these areas, a sustainable company will have advantages over one that is not. In the case of the textile industry, which is the second most polluting industry in the world after the oil industry, achieving a balance between nature and textile production is paramount. The current trend is to develop textiles and materials that come from organic waste. In addition, textile companies are adopting new practices such as considering the life cycle, avoiding animal testing, and aligning their daily operations towards a sustainable lifestyle and collaborating against climate change. In Mexico, textiles are recycled at a rate of only 0.5% per year; on average, each person throws away 3 kg of clothing, of which only 15 grams would be recovered. This is why it is important to innovate with organic fabrics that reduce the pollution rate. At GDI we have sustainable projects that seek to reduce the environmental impact of our company and that of our business partners. Recycled Garments Program: They are made with fabrics manufactured from PET bottles, which is one of the most convenient ways to recycle plastic bottles. Furthermore, at practical levels there is no difference between traditional and recycled polyester. During the recycling process, the fiber is reconstituted at a molecular level, and therefore recycled polyester is just as strong, durable, and has the same properties as virgin polyester. The two polyesters differ in their environmental impact; PET has a much lower environmental impact than traditional polyester. Regenerated Garments Program: They are made with fabrics made from recycled textiles; That is, they are made from regenerated waste from post-consumer cotton garments. Natural fibers such as wool and cotton can be mechanically recycled, but the process decreases the length and quality of the fibers, which is why it is necessary to add virgin fibers. These latter serve as a supplement, since it is not currently possible to include 100% recycled materials in garments. Controlled Garment Destruction Program: With this service, we prevent post-consumer uniforms from having a negative impact on the planet and on our client's corporate image. The intention is to prevent our clients' uniforms from being discarded, polluting the environment, or from falling into the hands of someone outside the company, damaging its corporate image. The program begins with GDI collecting the uniforms or the Client sending them. Afterwards, a process of destroying garments begins, ensuring that the misuse of obsolete uniforms is avoided. Customers are given photographic evidence and a document certifying the destruction of all the garments. The resulting material is reprocessed to generate new by-products, which are used as carpet fabrics, upholstery yarns, among other things.
Innovation and sustainability at GDI
Today more than ever, it is essential to turn our attention to clean technologies, both new and established, that have the capacity to meet the growing demand for energy and contribute to mitigating climate change, as well as the professional development of the protagonists of this transformation. Today, there is a shared commitment to leave the planet better than we found it. Sustainable Development in organizations is the engine of a sustainable future that must ensure social equity, ecology and the environment. Technological advances have allowed us to improve our quality of life. Beyond economic and social resources, technology allows us to achieve sustainable global development. ICT systems and tools enable improved energy efficiency and intelligent energy management. Therefore, most companies only look for efficient products supported by sustainable equipment. Among the most prominent technologies we find: What are the advantages of sustainable development? At GDI Uniforms we create optimal processes to always obtain a high quality result. We always strive to create innovative, high-performance fabrics and accelerate our processes thanks to the new technologies we implement. We are at the forefront of developments and innovations in the textile industry, which includes various factors such as production technologies; coloring techniques; denim, dyes and auxiliaries; finishing treatments; innovative and high-performance fabrics; always analyzing the changes in the textile and clothing industry, respecting environmental sustainability at all times. At GDI we are clear that new advances and technologies will drive a new type of industry where the main characteristics will be interconnection, which will be more collaborative and automated. Since 2019 we have had the Gerber Technology Atria cutter, the most modern and efficient fabric cutter in the world. This cutter is unique in its class, as it incorporates an integrated IoT technology solution that guarantees precision, optimizes productivity, and increases material utilization when cutting fabric. This cutter, in addition to increasing our production capabilities, incorporates innovation into our organization with its comprehensive solution that ranges from design, pattern creation, mark generation and production planning, thus achieving a reduction in material costs of up to 30%, minimizing our environmental impact. Investing in innovation and sustainability brings us many advances, because in addition to improving the ecosystem it allows us to gain competitiveness and thus increase profitability. We are proud to say that we are the only uniform company in the region that has this type of state-of-the-art technology. At GDI we are convinced that by implementing these types of actions the world will be more inclusive and sustainable, improving the quality of life for all people.
GDI Uniforms joins the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
The US The Cotton Trust Protocol sets a standard for more sustainably grown cotton. It provides quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurements about the production of responsibly grown cotton and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics. US cotton UU. has focused on sustainability for decades. According to Field to Market data, over the past 35 years cotton has increased land use efficiency by 31% while reducing soil loss by 44%, water consumption by 82%, energy expenditure by 38%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. Although cotton has told its sustainability story and highlighted its decreasing environmental impact, more and more brands and department stores are demanding industry-wide standards and independent verifications. To address this growing concern, the U.S. cotton industry UU. structured and created the US The Cotton Trust Protocol defines new standards for sustainably grown cotton and the continuous improvement of that sustainability, which will be measured and verified by a third party. The cotton industry of the US UU. It invests more than $100 million annually in scientific research to continue developing the most advanced tools needed to reduce its environmental footprint. These technologies help producers save money while protecting and even improving the environment. The goal of the Trust Protocol is to help brands and department stores communicate this progress to end consumers. The Trust Protocol has a four-step process: The standards are about defining sustainability goals for the cotton industry. By 2025, the North American cotton industry aims to increase land use efficiency by 13% and soil carbon by 20%, while simultaneously reducing soil loss by 50%, water consumption by 18%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 39%. The measurement includes the voluntary affiliation of US cotton producers. UU. to measure and keep track of its environmental impact. The purpose of the U.S. cotton industry UU. It is to affiliate half of the cotton producers by 2025. Verification will involve the participation of internationally recognized external verification organizations to monitor progress towards the goals. Finally, the USCTP will be the only cotton sustainability organization able to provide annual, quantifiable, and verifiable information to track sustainability progress. Therefore, the Trust Protocol supports and verifies the progress of US cotton, through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton gives brands and retailers the fundamental assurances they need that the cotton fiber element in their supply chain is grown more sustainably with less environmental and social risk. Finally, the US The Cotton Trust Protocol is overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors, comprised of representatives from brands and retailers, civil society, and independent sustainability experts. As well as by the cotton farming industry, including producers, ginners, traders, wholesalers and cooperatives, factories and cotton seed managers. At GDI Uniforms we are very pleased to join the US Cotton Trust Protocol. Through this effort we guarantee that the cotton used in our products comes from a sustainable supply chain. In addition to complying with environmental, labor, safety and health regulations in US cotton farming.
Do you know the difference between Sustainability and Sustainable Development?
According to their root meanings, "sustainable" and "sustainable" do not mean the same thing, but they are two words we often use as adjectives to describe environmentally friendly processes and activities. Unfortunately, they are not synonyms, and using them interchangeably is incorrect. The difference between "sustainable" and "sustainable" is not that complicated to understand; each has characteristics that make them distinct. Below, we explain their respective characteristics. SUSTAINABILITY. The dictionary of the Spanish language defines sustainability as "that which can be supported or defended with reasons." Sustainable development is making proper use of current resources without compromising those of future generations. This development includes sustainable processes to preserve, protect, and conserve current and future natural resources. It does not take into account the specific cultural, political, and social needs of human beings. Herman Daly, an American ecological economist, professor, and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award (also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize) in 1996, defined some principles of sustainability. Daly also states that we should promote technologies that increase the productivity of natural resources (greater benefit from resource use) and reduce those that require a greater quantity of natural resources to produce the same output. SUSTAINABILITY refers to the pursuit of social and economic progress that ensures a healthy and productive life for human beings, but without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Based on the global importance of natural resources and the need for their rational use according to Daly's principles, sustainability seeks social development that contributes to improving the quality of life, health, education, and culture of all people. At GDI, we are convinced that by implementing these types of actions, the world will be more inclusive, improving the quality of life for everyone. Therefore, both concepts are put into practice at GDI because we care about the future of the ecosystem and strive to make proper use of all natural resources. We seek the appropriate way to perform our work under the corresponding human processes, taking into account constant innovation, without neglecting the care of the environment, trying not to generate waste and seeking alternative inputs that are environmentally friendly.
Do you know what Clean Technologies are?
Clean technologies are those that, when applied, produce no side effects or disrupt the environmental balance. They are based on sustainability and primarily use natural and renewable resources such as aerothermal, geothermal, and hydrothermal energy. The main reason for the existence of so-called "clean technologies" is none other than to reverse the global environmental imbalance that affects us all. Some of the objectives of clean technologies are based on three pillars: Types of Clean Technologies. Within clean technology, there are branches or categories that share a common goal but operate in different strategic sectors. Some of these are: There are various sectors where the implementation of these technologies has begun, but it is a process that takes time, as it involves creating a completely different culture from the traditional one, but one that is necessary for the well-being of the ecosystem. At GDI, we are concerned about the environment, and therefore we contact suppliers who seek to use these new technologies to ensure that the garment creation process includes fabrics made from natural fibers. We also have a software and cutting system that allows us to make a more precise cut without generating so much waste or fabric scraps.
Eco-Fashion: A Trend in the Textile Industry
Sustainable fashion, also known as slow fashion, encompasses all clothing, shoes, and accessories whose manufacturing processes are environmentally friendly. While the priority in 2020 was combating Covid-3, the fashion agenda for 2021 is now focused on sustainability. The fashion sector is accelerating changes that will make it more environmentally and socially sustainable. This is one of the most urgent and ambitious goals in the industry, as, having been considered one of the most polluting businesses worldwide, change has become imminent due to the current state of the ecosystem. There are three key elements to sustainable fashion: Awareness and the desire to create change have been gradually growing in both Europe and the United States, and are gaining significant traction in Latin America as well. In Latin America, the cultural richness and artisanal techniques of each country are taking center stage, not only to celebrate them nationally and internationally, but also as a key component in generating business models with more ethical and sustainable fashion. These models can compete with fast fashion, which is increasingly losing ground among more committed and informed consumers. For a garment to be considered sustainable, it must meet certain criteria, such as environmentally friendly production and/or the use of natural or organic materials, like cotton, algae, bamboo, natural dyes, and so on. Many of the materials most commonly used by the fashion industry today face challenges such as resource scarcity, rising costs, and limited recyclability. Many factors must be considered to determine a material's sustainability. Two of these are renewability and the source of a fiber. For the sake of our planet, there are already new materials that require fewer resources for their manufacture and have longer life cycles, and which are being used by large companies. At GDI, we strive to make our garments environmentally friendly, which is why we seek to make them mostly from cotton and linen, working with suppliers who are committed to environmental stewardship. GDI has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, guaranteeing that the cotton used in our products comes from a sustainable supply chain. We care about your image, quality, and comfort without neglecting the environment.
How to contribute to Sustainable Development
In the pursuit of satisfying basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, and health), humanity has established a way of life where ecological degradation, the depletion of natural resources, and human suffering have caused collateral damage in the name of social, technological, and economic development. This behavior has led us to an alarming point, and it is time for individuals and society to adopt a lifestyle based on the concept of Sustainable Development. Remember that Sustainable Development proposes satisfying the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. There are various actions we can take to support sustainable development. Personal actions: It is a serious mistake to think that it is useless to act if others will not. Change begins with oneself. Actions at home: Many values are instilled at home, so you can implement some of these actions. Actions at work and school. Actions in transportation and travel: These are just some of the actions you can take to help protect the environment. Little by little, significant changes will occur. At GDI, we care about the environment. That's why we take action to support sustainable development. In our facilities, we use energy-efficient LED lights to minimize energy consumption, we separate waste into the appropriate containers, and we provide company transportation for our employees. This way, we avoid using multiple modes of transport and reduce pollution. Let's take care of the environment and be more mindful of our actions; little by little, they can create a big difference.
The Importance of Renewable Energies
Renewable energies are also known as alternative energies or green energies, and they are energy sources based on the use of natural resources: the sun, wind, water, or plant or animal biomass. They are characterized by not using fossil fuels, but rather natural resources capable of unlimited renewal. One of their strengths is their very low environmental impact, since in addition to not using finite resources, they do not generate pollutants. Producing more and more renewable energy and abandoning conventional sources is a necessity shared by all countries of the world. What are renewable energies? Below we mention the main renewable energy sources that exist today: What characteristics do renewable energies have? These energies possess various characteristics; we will mention some of them: The use of renewable energies contributes to homes becoming much more self-sufficient in their electricity consumption. In the not-too-distant future, all newly constructed buildings will have to have their own solar panels; self-consumption of electricity is much easier to achieve than we imagine. Renewable energies come from freely accessible natural resources. By generating energy from natural sources, they can be found anywhere in the world; therefore, any corner of the world can generate its own energy and be self-sufficient. Advantages of renewable energies Compared to conventional energy sources, we can list the following aspects as the main benefits of renewable energies: