The origin and manufacture of raw materials account for up to 60 percent of the environmental impacts of apparel and footwear products.
This index is a tool to help footwear and apparel designers select better materials from better suppliers to mitigate environmental impacts.
Points Structure
The index awards up to 100 points to a given material using a Science-based Better Materials Score (up to 50 Quantitative points) and Environmental Indicator Scores (up to 50 Qualitative points).
Scoring Framework
The quantitative Science-based Better Materials Score uses a <i>Life Cycle Assessment</i> (LCA) approach based on publicly available studies, industry reports and supplier-specific information to derive a base materials score.
The Qualitative Indicator portion has two parts.
Part 1, Better Materials, modifies the base material score to reward green chemistry, recycled and organic content, and water conservation. Blends and composites reduce a score.
Part 2, Better Suppliers, uses RSL program testing performance, water program reporting, energy and carbon program reporting and industry certification programs to score a supplier’s environmental performance.
Combining the Quantitative and Qualitative Indicator portions of Nike MSI provides an overall score unique to the finished material + vendor combination.
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