Sustainability at Forever 21

If I were the Director of Sustainability at Forever 21 I would set a goal by 2022 to decrease the

companies fossil fuels emission by 80%. In such a polluting industry, companies need to start making

moves to think and act more sustainably. Very shortly it will be too late; we are rapidly destroying our

planet. As the Director of Sustainability to one of the most polluting brands, I have my work cut out for

me. To start we can cut our fossil fuel emissions in half through the use of wind-turbine energy. Most of

our harsh polluting is done in the transportation stage of production. The carter ships emit tons of toxins

into the atmosphere. By switching from the burning of fossil fuel to power or carter ships to using

wind-turbines to power then we are that much closer to achieving our goal. Although the carter ship

isn’t the only fossil fuel emitter in our lifecycle. The transporting of goods from the shipping port to the

distribution center to the retail spaces is another high pollution aspect. By switching from gas-powered

cars to electric it will help stop the pollution of the atmosphere. If we stop the burning of fossil fuels in

our company we will become an ethical, sustainable brand; but it doesn't end there. The production

factory is the second largest polluting factor in the lifecycle of our garments. In the washing and dying

stages water pollution is the number one damaging practice to the environment. Through the greywater

use practice in our washing facilities, we can reuse water over and over again. Greywater is the secondary

water used for purposes other than drinking. In this case, we are not drinking the water, merely washing

our product. A greywater system is not only cost-efficient but also quick and easy to install. In the dying

stage, we can reuse the rainfall from the surrounding area to dye our garments. By using the extra

rainwater we can help save the water pollution and the water supply in the surrounding area. After the

dying process is finished, disposing of the water in an ethical way can help stop the water the pollution

and the pollution of the environment in the surrounding area. After fixing the most polluting process

within the company, I will start working directly with the designers and product merchandisers to

source local, ethical and sustainable resources. Creating a product that is much more sustainable than

when I started.Working as a team and fighting against pollution is the way of the future. Planting trees

in the surrounding areas and educating the local members of the community is another way to a

sustainable future. To stop the physical pollution, we can start organizations and charities for the

leftover goods. Being able to reuse the garments instead of adding to the landfill. In order to act in a

sustainable lifestyle, you must be able to become a sustainable thinker.