Launched in Tokyo in 1961, the EDWIN brand set the standard for Japanese denim production. In 2019, EDWIN USA launched with a new purpose: To radically transform the denim industry from a take-make-waste linear economy into a restorative circular economy that fosters mindful consumption. That’s why our materials are sourced from a carefully selected network of suppliers; our jeans are made at Saitex, the world’s cleanest denim factory; and we offer free repairs for life alongside forward-thinking recycling and upcycling programs. Our overall aim at EDWIN USA is to improve our environmental, social and economic

impact, and lead the way in building a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.

SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

We’re changing the fashion industry. Here’s how.

LCA REPORT

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology for assessing the environmental impacts of a product, in our case the life cycle of a EDWIN USA jeans. We measure the environmental impact from raw material and processing (cradle), manufacturing to distribution. The goal of an LCA is to provide the groundwork for sustainability or CSR strategy within a company to facilitate better sustainable decisions. For the 2019 LCA of EDWIN USA, we focused on measuring the water, energy and CO2 impact of our jeans. The meth-

odology of LCAs done by EDWIN USA follows the ISO 14040 standard.

IMPACT REPORT

The Impact Report summarizes EDWIN USA’s sustainability efforts in 2019. The report provides in-depth information on our products, from our supply chain and the materials we use to our factories and the environmental impact of our jeans during production. We believe that assessing the impact of our systems is essential to setting a policy for sustainability. Measuring our impact, and being transparent about the results, keeps us accountable as a company, allows us to measure our progress and pushes us to improve

our sustainable and circular efforts.

CIRCULAR BY DESIGN

Here at EDWIN USA we utilize intentional design processes and lifecycle thinking to assess the impact of our products before we make them. That’s why we design jeans that last, select sustainable materials, use processes

that are not harmful to people or the planet and provide recycling and upcycling programs.

YOU CAN HELP US CLOSE THE LOOP.

1Select your jeans for our assortment of products.

When you need a repair, login to your account, find your order and click the repair button. We’ll send you a pre-paid shipping label so you can send your jeans to us, and we’ll send them back to you when the repair is complete.

If your jeans are beyond repair, or you no longer want to wear them, you can send them back to us to be upcycled. Just login to your account, find your order and click the upcycle button. We’ll send you a pre-paid shipping label

so you can send your jeans to us.

Once we receive your jeans for upcycling, you will receive a code for $20 off your next EDWIN USA purchase.

FREE REPAIRS FOR LIFE

1Edwin USA jeans are designed to last. We utilize intentional design processes and durable materials that will hold up over time so that you can wear your jeans for years to come and help to reduce both consumption and waste.

To further prolong the life of your jeans, we also offer free repairs for life.

LIFE AFTER LIFE

If your jeans are no longer in the best condition, we encourage you to upcycle them. To make that process as simple as possible for you, Edwin USA has partnered with the Thailand-based upcy-cling facility STELAPOP (an acronym for Save Trees, Eliminate Landfills and Protect Our Planet), which embraces circularity and tackles waste by giving new life to garment offcuts and dead-stock. Edwin USA will upcycle all of its textile waste, at both the pre- and post-consumer levels, through STELAPOP. Using a proprietary binder, STELAPOP will transform discarded Edwin USA denim into multipurpose panels that can be used in the place of wood to build furniture, helping

to save trees and eliminate landfills for a regenerated future.

MATERIALS

Here at EDWIN USA, we strive to use materials that are ecologically and socially better.

In order to make informed choices, we use the Higg Materials Sustainability Index as well as the MADE-BY Environmental Benchmark for Fibers, which compares the environmental impact of the most commonly used

materials in the garment industry.In our own index below, we classified our materials from the most sustainable to least, and we are working toward increasing our use of sustainable materials with each season. Our overall aim is

to improve our environmental profile, and lead the way in sustainability.

CERTIFICATIONSWorking with certified materials is of the utmost importance to EDWIN USA. Without certifications, sustainability claims are just that. The certified materials we use are evaluated by third parties and meet

strict social and environmental criteria.

Nearly half of the cotton we use now is certified organic. By 2022, 100% of our jeans will be made with organic cotton

ORGANIC COTTON

While less than one percent of global cotton production is organic, nearly half of the cotton we use at EDWIN USA is certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the USDA Organic, and we’re dedicated to increasing our use of it throughout our collections. Here’s why that’s important: Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a lower impact on the environment, and sustain the health of soils, ecosystems and people. In contrast to conventional cotton, which uses genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and toxic pesticides and fertilizers that degrade the soil, organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals, and the soil is enriched through crop rotation, intercropping and composting. Because the soil is healthier and it retains water more efficiently, organic cotton uses 91% less water and emits 46% less greenhouse gas than conventional cotton.

It is also better for the health of the farmers who grow it and their communities.

Nearly half of the cotton we use now is certified organic. By 2022, 100% of our jeans will be made with organic cotton

“When you buy organic cotton you are investing in water con-servation, cleaner air, better soil and farmer livelihoods.”

aboutorganiccotton.org

MATERIALS

ELASTANE

Elastane is a synthetic fiber that adds stretch and comfort to den-im. Up until this point, we have been using virgin elastane in our products, but are working toward more sustainable alternatives, such as elastane made with pre-consumer recycled materials or biodegradable elastane that breaks down over time.

ECO TRIMS

At EDWIN USA, we make every effort to use sustainable and circular materials. All of our buttons, rivets and snap fasteners will be made in an eco-friendly metal finish by 2021. Our labels are made from recycled plastic (PET) bottles, and our hangtags are FSC-certified (meaning the paper was harvested in a responsible manner). By the fall of 2020, our jeans will also be made with YKK NATULON, a low waste and energy-saving zipper made of recycled materials; pocketing made of 65% recycled polyester and 35% organic cotton; and Coats EcoVerde, a premium sewing thread made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.

GREEN PACKAGING

A huge problem in the take-make-waste economy is the pack-aging that products come in, as most of it ends up in landfills. At EDWIN USA, we use sustainable plastic alternatives as much as we can, from polybags made out of recycled polyester to com-postable plant-based envelopes, and will continue to work toward reducing our waste, and adopting more sustainable shipping methods.

FACTORIES

SAITEX INTERNATIONAL

EDWIN USA is responsibly manufactured at Saitex. Based in Vietnam, Saitex is the first B Corp-certified facto-ry in Asia and the only large-scale denim manufacturer to meet the standards set forth by B LAB. Committed to creating a circular economy to not only reduce impact but also bring real benefit to the environment and communities, Saitex has also received bluesign, LEED and Fair Trade certifications, among others. As a Fair

Trade-certified factory, Saitex upholds internationally recognized labor standards, providing its employees with living wages, ensuring ethical, respectful working conditions and employing sustainable production methods. In the winter of 2020, Saitex will open an additional factory in Los Angeles, where EDWIN USA will also be pro-

duced, helping us create jobs for local workers and further reduce our carbon emissions.

FACTORIES

WATER

EDWIN USA jeans are made with just 1.5 liters of water, compared to the industry standard of 80 liters

Saitex is a zero-discharge facility, recycling 98% of the water it uses (the remaining 2% is evaporated), which means that EDWIN USA jeans are made with just 1.5 liters of water, compared to the industry standard of 80 liters. This filtration method is called reverse osmosis, and filters all indigo and fiber residue out of the water. The result is purified water that is cleaner than your average drinking water. This closed-water system saves 450-million liters of

ENERGY

Our jeans are made with clean alternative energy sources: 40% of the electricity Saitex uses comes from solar and hydropower, and 100% of the heat it uses comes from biomass generators that burn wood shavings and coconut husks instead of fossil fuels. This means that 5,844,575 kilograms of fossil fuel use was avoided in 2019. Our jeans are then air-dried in an aerial drying system, which is a simple conveyor: garments hang in the upper area of the factory for up to three hours to dry. This process reduces the dryer time from 105 minutes to just 25. By conserving energy, Saitex saves 13-million kWh per year and has reduced is C02 emissions by nearly 80%. To further offset its

footprint, Saitex has planted 6,000 trees in the industrial area, and plans to be carbon neutral by 2023.

100% of the heat Saitex uses comes from biomass generators that burn wood shavings and coconut husks instead of fossil fuels

By conserving energy, Saitex saves 13-million kWh per year

FACTORIES

LASER

EDWIN USA jeans are made with innovative manufacturing techniques, such as lasers that etch natural wear marks on denim. Laser transforms a 20- to 30-minute manual process to just 90 seconds, and replaces the conven-tional use of sandpaper and the chemical potassium permanganate to create a worn-in effects on jeans. This laser

process helps to create consistency in the work, minimizes difficult manual labor and reduces chemical usage.

AUTOMATION

Saitex utilizes robots and automation to mechanize sustainability and consistency in production. Automation re-places unpleasant work done by humans, reduces their contact with chemicals and exacts efficiency of the applied

effects, reducing both time and waste.

E-FLOW

E-Flow technology is used in many of our EDWIN USA wash processes. E-flow takes the air from the atmosphere and transforms it into nano-bubbles. Saitex then applies resins, enzymes and other chemicals during the denim wash process to break up the surface of a garment and to achieve soft hand-feel. By using E-flow technology in-

stead of the traditional washing methods, 98% of water is saved and energy consumption drops by 47%.

OZONE

We at EDWIN USA use an ozone air (natural gas) finish on many of our washes. Ozone technology acts as a mild bleaching agent as well as a sterilizing agent. It uses the natural bleaching capabilities of ozone gas to give a desired wash effect with substantially reduced environment impact. The process: oxygen (O2) is converted to ozone gas (O3), jeans can be dry or dampened with water, exposed to the ozone, and rinsed; the ozone is reconverted to ordinary oxygen before being released into the environment. Chemical bleaching or stone washing can take up to six washes and rinses cycles, while ozone finish can reduce the wash cycle to as little as two to three washes. Ozone technology does not eliminate water usage, however, it does substantially reduce the consumption of water

as well as energy, chemicals, enzymes and stones.

FACTORIES

At EDWIN USA, we believe in the power of innovation.

WASTE REDUCTION

To further embrace circularity and tackle waste by giving new life to garment offcuts and deadstock, Sait-ex is building an upcycling facility in Thailand called STELAPOP (an acronym for Save Trees, Eliminate Landfills and Protect Our Planet). Using a proprietary binder, STELAPOP transforms discarded denim into multipurpose panels that can be used in the place of wood to build furniture. STELAPOP will have the capacity of upcycling 12,000 garments per month, which will help fight deforestation and reduce

landfill waste for a regenerated future.

LOCAL ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SAITEX donates 0.1% of its revenue to social impact, which helps to support 603 children and adults at three orphanages and one disabilities center in Vietnam. In addition, SAITEX founded Rekut, a social entrepreneurship project that provides fair pay and respectful working conditions to differently abled people. The Rekut production line currently has 35 fulltime employees with different abilities, both phys-ical and developmental. Each received five months of training, and are now fully independent on the production line, from sewing and embroidering to packing, making products such as apparel, furnishings and face masks. In its continuous mission to create positive social impact, the factory also created Sait-ex Farms, a non-GMO, zero pesticides farm in three on-site containers and one greenhouse. The farm produces six tons of clean fruits and vegetables per year, providing 5,300 people with access to clean

and healthier food.

EDWIN PRODUCTION GUIDE

FABRIC MILLS

Candiani S.p.A, Milan, ItalyCandiani has been operating since 1938. Candiani is a leader in sustainability and advancements in produc-tion. The mill itself is situated within a nature reserve and as a result is subject to strict environmental rules

and regulations. The local environmental regulations are stricter than those of any other denim mill. But rather than move the company to an area which had fewer environmental constraints, this became a point

of pride and principle.

Kaihara, Okayama, JapanKaihara is one of the oldest denim mills in Japan with a 110-year history of making quality, authentic denim

products. Kaihara has always taken cautious and protective measures to minimize its impact on the environ-ment. For example, Kaihara mills are equipped with state-of-the-art effluent treatment facilities, and abide

by internal treatment standards that are far stricter than the national standard.

Calik Denim, Istanbul, TurkeyWeaving denim since 1987, Calik Denim continues to reduce the environmental impact of its operations

through innovative technologies. It created the Transparency Monitoring System, through which the elec-tricity, steam, air and water consumption of its plants and machines are monitored, and the total impact of

the production phase is reported. Calik Denim is also certified by the Higg Index Facility Environmental Module developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

TRIM SUPPLIERS

Vivolo s.r.l., Bologna, ItalyFounded by Luciano Vivolo, this Italian leather accessories company has been in business for over 40 years,

working with the most prestigious international fashion brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Chanel. Quality, transparency and traceability are essential values of Vivolo, and in March of 2020 it intro-duced a range of non-leather alternatives (such as patches made of jacron, recycled cotton or even apple

skin), which we are working toward incorporating in future collections.

The Revolution Group, Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Revolution Group specializes in state-of-the-art labels, hang tags and patches that build a strong, recog-nizable brand identity. They offer an array of sustainable options, from buttons made of discarded coconut shells to a leather-like fabric made from the leaves of pineapples. Our labels at EDWIN USA are made from

recycled plastic (PET) bottles, and our hangtags are FSC-certified (meaning the paper was harvested in a responsible manner).

STC–QST, Los Angeles, CaliforniaUpholstery fabric supplier STC-QST is committed to providing apparel manufacturers with consistency and transparency throughout its supply chain, and has developed green criteria for its fabrics that reflect a com-mitment to the environment and sustainability. The lining STC-QST supplies to EDWIN USA is 65% recycled

polyester and 35% organic cotton.

YKK, Dong Nai, Vietnam, and Macon, GeorgiaAlong with improving its sustainable production, zipper manufacturer YKK continues to develop and intro-duce sustainable products, including zippers made of organic cotton and plant-based materials. Beginning

with our Fall 2020 collection, all EDWIN USA zippers are made with YKK NATULON, a low waste and energy-saving zipper made of recycled materials.

CHEMICAL SUPPLIERS

Near Chemica, Milan, ItalyNear Chemica is a manufacturer in Italy from which EDWIN USA sources most of its chemicals. They work

closely with ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals), a project that emerged from the Clean Clothes Campaign by Greenpeace and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of