Gildan releases 2017 Genuine Responsibility report

Gildan Activewear has announced the release of its 2017 Genuine Responsibility report, which highlights the company’s 2017 results, key priorities and future commitments toward its vision of Making Apparel Better.

Claudia Sandoval, vice-president, corporate citizenship, said: “We are pleased to share the social and environmental results from our operations in 2017. This year we have reset our strategic priorities, based upon an extensive materiality assessment performed with our stakeholders. We have also anchored our focus to specific United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as part of a larger collective vision for affecting change in the protection of our planet and the well-being of its inhabitants.

“As a company, we understand that our continued growth and success demands that we proactively implement sustainable solutions throughout our operations and honour our commitments to caring for our people, conserving the environment and creating stronger communities.”

Highlights from the report

• More than two million hours of training and development were delivered in 2017 to 50,000 employees around the world.
• 181,000 free medical consulations were provided, along with $4.8m towards free transportation and $15.8m in subsidised meals.
• Gildan pursued a variety of initiatives designed to provide development opportunities to women, including the Women’s Empowerment Program in collaboration with World Vision Honduras and the Women’s Leadership Series.
• Last year, Gildan reduced its water intensity per kg of production by 10% through continued investments in new technologies and innovation.
• Biomass steam generation operations have allowed Gildan to generate 43% of all used energy from renewable sources in 2017.
• Gildan has contributed $518,000 towards the refurbishment of the newborn unit at the Mario Rivas Hospital in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
• Through its American Apparel Pencils of Promise campaign, Gildan contributed more than $200,000 to help raise awareness and support for child literacy, building new schools, improving infrastructure and providing support to teachers in Guatemala and Ghana.
• Gildan donate $75,000 to Room to Read to implement a Girls’ Education Program in Bangladesh, and established a library and literacy program at a school in Dhaka.
• Last year, Gildan was recognised for its ongoing commitment to operate responsibly through its inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the fifth year running.