What is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and why is it important?

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a scientific method used to calculate the potential environmental impact across a product’s lifecycle. We look at the entire lifecycle of our products from material extraction to the warehouse and everything in between. By doing so, we can provide a detailed picture of where our products come from and what their environmental footprint truly is. We measure everything: how much water is used, how much CO₂ is released, what chemicals are involved, and how much energy transportation costs. By mapping all of these factors through LCA data, we get an honest and complete picture of our product’s actual impact. Helping us make better, evidence-based decisions.

How does an LCA work?

The process starts with collecting data from all our suppliers. BCome’s LCA platform tracks products at every stage and combines our supply chain data with broader industry benchmarks to create a complete picture of the impact of our products and their origin. 

BCome uses a proven LCA methodology aligned with upcoming sustainability legislation. They measure four key environmental indicators:

1. Water scarcity: how much clean water is used or polluted during production

2. Global warming: greenhouse gases released that trap heat and change our climate),

3. Eutrophication: chemical runoff from fertilisers and detergents that harms water ecosystems

4. Abiotic depletion: fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal are used to power production 

Together, these metrics provide a clear overview of a product’s environmental life cycle impact, helping us identify areas where improvements can be made.

How are we doing?

In 2024, we calculated the environmental impact of our CORE collection and SS25 collection through Life Cycle Assessments with the help of BCome. The figures above showcase both the actual average impact and the average savings compared to the industry standard. We are proud to have achieved a transparency score of 93%, meaning we know over 90% of our suppliers throughout the production chain of this collection, from material processing to manufacturing.It’s worth noting that the use and disposal phases of clothing are not included, and that the renewable energy use and water recycling at our suppliers are not accounted for. So, despite these limitations, LCA data remains the best tool for understanding the real environmental impact of our products. We will keep working to fill in the gaps. You can now find Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data for selected denim items directly on their product pages, with more coming soon.