Our Sustainability Practices 2024
Our Sustainability Practices
Factories
At DL1961, we aim to source responsibly, manufacture sustainably, and design intentionally. With our roots in vertical integration and a network of like-minded facilities, we bring you the best possible combination of fabric, fit, and function.
Vertical Integration
All our denim — from fiber to finished garment — is manufactured in our family-owned factory. By overseeing the entire process, we offer traceable and scalable solutions that minimize environmental impact without compromising on quality. We strive to constantly invest in innovative sustainable technologies and audit at each stage of the process.
Network Of Like-Minded Manufacturers
With our roots in vertical integration, we’ve established a network of like-minded facilities to expand our range of wardrobe essentials. These highly-vetted manufacturers are responsible for the industry-leading knits and wovens you love.
Materials
We aim to provide the best products for both you and our planet. Your favorite pieces are made from recycled, renewable, and regenerative materials that are good for the environment—and your wardrobe.
Cotton
All the cotton we source is responsibly produced and meets at least one of four international certifications for quality and impact. In addition to our Recover™ recycled cotton, we use cotton that has been certified from the Better Cotton Institute (BCI) and Cotton USA™. This provides us supply chain traceability to ensure our cotton meets social, ethical, and environmental standards that protect and promote the livelihood of cotton farming communities.
Recover™ Recycled Cotton
We've partnered with Recover™ to break down textile waste from landfills and turn it into Re, recycled fibers to create your new favorite pair of jeans. This special recycled cotton is incorporated in denim and knits throughout our line.
Tencel™ Lyocell
The ultra-soft fabrics you know and love are made with Tencel™ lyocell, a botanic fiber made from beech tree wood. It’s known for softness and breathability, and is 100% biodegradable. Its ultra absorbent qualities help us use less dye, water, and energy in the manufacturing process.
REPREVE® Our Ocean™
Select knitwear pieces are made using this super comfortable and special fiber derived from post-consumer plastic bottles. They’ve been diverted from landfills where they’re at high risk of entering the ocean to be fashioned into cozy knits that bring you warmth, comfort, and peace of mind.
Dyes
Our denim is made using Dystar Liquid Indigo, a pre-reduced dye that needs less water and minimizes harmful byproducts. It’s made of just three ingredients: indigo, soda, and water.
Energy
Fossil energy is one of the biggest resources used in denim production—but not for us. We’ve designed our factory to be as sustainable and low impact as possible by using solar panels and heat regeneration. We’re creating a low ecological footprint while making the clothing you love.
Solar Power
Our factory’s solar panels generate 200 kilowatts of power, in conjunction with our self-powered energy generation capacity of 15 megawatts.
Heat Regeneration
Our factory’s in-house power plant is self-generating, using heat recovery from the manufacturing process to power itself.
Water
A typical pair of jeans takes 1500 gallons of water to produce. Ours take less than 10. What’s more, we treat and recycle 98% of the water we do use in our in-house treatment plant.
Water Conservation
Denim is a notoriously wasteful industry that requires excessive amounts of water. We’ve made it our goal for decades to constantly invest in innovative sustainable technologies that help reduce our water footprint. We pioneered the inclusion of ultra-absorbent fibers, waterless processes, and low-impact dyes in our manufacturing and continue to audit at every stage of the process. That’s why our jeans only require 10 gallons of water on average to produce, versus the industry standard of 1500.
Water Recycling
After it’s used in the manufacturing process, water is funneled into our in-house water treatment plant, where a special bacteria eats the indigo dye so the water is safe to return to municipal drains. We treat and recycle 98% of the water we use, equaling up to 2700 gallons per day. That’s over 80,000 gallons a month, or over 1 million gallons a year.
Processes
To significantly reduce the use of harmful chemicals often used in denim production, we employ waterless processes and recycle post-consumer waste to yield high-quality cotton and create vintage-inspired finishes that are better for the environment. Plus, we track each pair of jeans as they’re made to ensure they meet our sustainability standards.
Laser & Ozone Machines
This is how we create your favorite vintage-inspired denim character—without the harmful chemicals. We utilize laser and Ozone technologies that are both completely waterless processes that remove excess indigo to create the vintage look you love as well as authentic details. Both employ a dramatically lower footprint than traditional washing techniques.
Traceability
Each jean is tracked throughout the manufacturing process using Jeanologia’s EIM software. We monitor water, energy, and other resources to make sure each piece falls within our standards for sustainability and efficiency.
Recycled Cotton
Through our partnership with Recover™, we offer a low-impact, high-quality recycled cotton fiber, closing the loop on fashion. Our state-of-the-art recycling facility transforms post-industrial and post-consumer waste into a best-in-class recycled fiber that can effortlessly be woven into new yarn.
Our People
Our focus on sustainability extends beyond planet-conscious practices, and includes doing right by the people on it—starting with our factory employees. After all, we wouldn’t be where we are without them. We also donate a portion of our profits to support New York City-area shelters and charities..
International Working Standards
Our factory is fully compliant with international social, ethical, and environmental standards. We maintain positive working conditions, living wages, and balanced working hours.
The Pantry
Introducing our giveback fund, The Pantry. Each month we allocate a portion of our sales to supply necessities to New York City-area shelters and charities. See who we've been able to work with so far.