Gant partners with Waterkeeper Alliance in ocean plastic recovery efforts

By

Arati Menon

Published
Feb 1, 2018

Connecticut-born lifestyle apparel brand Gant has just elevated its commitment to sustainability, specifically towards reducing plastic pollution in our oceans. Its efforts will be directed via a new partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization that protects more than 2.5 million square miles of waterways around the world.

The long-term partnership will have Gant fund and support a series of initiatives that patrol rivers, streams and coastlines on six continents. Its first project will be to support Waterkeeper Alliance’s Ocean Plastic Recovery Initiative in its expansion in the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

“With fashion production contributing to the pollution of our waterways, we need to be more conscious about efficiently using valuable resources. As a global brand, we feel that it’s important for Gant to take responsibility and encourage the industry to do better,” said Gant’s Chief Marketing Officer Brian Grevy.  

Gant’s environmental stewardship might eventually even be integrated into its product development and production. “We’re also looking into sustainable ways to use ocean plastic for our upcoming collections,” said Grevy.

Every day, approximately 2 million tons of industrial and agricultural waste and sewage are discharged into global waterways. About 20 percent of industrial water pollution is due to garment manufacturing, according to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council.