Changing Markets Foundation Share On facebook Share Share On pinterest Pin Wastewater found by researchers near viscose plants in China.
More than 128,000 people have signed a petition calling on H&M and Zara "and other fashion giants" to stop sourcing from producers linked to pollution, after a report claimed factories linked to the brands were damaging local waterways and emitting "noxious gases".
The Changing Markets Foundation launched the petition last week after publishing a report that claimed to have found evidence of pollution surrounding major viscose fabric manufacturing sites in China, Indonesia, and India.
While the petition specifically targets H&M and Zara, the report also named Tesco, Asos, and M&S among businesses thought to be supplied by factories in those regions.
The reported issues were an "industry problem – in that the viscose process is unfortunately very chemically intense, which requires the producers to have well managed systems on the production sites for treating the chemicals and the waste and waste water," she added.
But if the producer is not willing to meet our expectations on sustainability we will stop sourcing from them," she said.
It works directly with its viscose suppliers to ensure wood pulp is from sustainable sources and that they "use environmentally responsible processes", a spokesperson said.
BuzzFeed News also contacted other companies linked to the viscose suppliers in the report.
We already encourage suppliers to produce more responsibly or more sustainably."
She said the company was also currently working on engaging fibre manufacturers "who supply our suppliers" to bring them in line with its own environmental and chemical policy.