Trees are more than just bark, branches, and leaves. They contain a secret ingredient that is critical to a more sustainable fashion industry. In this episode, Thomas Matiz, Product Sustainability Specialist at Lenzing Group, takes us into a fairy tale world where responsibly managed forests become fabric. Except, it’s not magic. It’s science.
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff: In the region of Upper Austria, there’s a town called Lenzing.
Thomas Matiz: It’s a rather little village but in a rather beautiful area surrounded with mountains and lakes and close to forests.
RLS: Picture a landscape straight out of a fantasy book, complete with castles.
TM: I’ve been here in this area now for only five years but I’m enjoying it very much. I’m glad to be this close to nature.
RLS: Thomas Matiz is the product sustainability specialist at Lenzing Group, a textile manufacturer that produces some of the most innovative and sustainable fabrics in the world. But here’s the thing: they’re made out of wood. How and why would a company want to make clothes out of wood? Stick around to find out…pun intended.
Listen below or click here to listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
To learn more about Lenzing, visit lenzing.com
Check out Reformation’s line of TENCEL-based clothing at thereformation.com/collections/tencel
Produced by Cascale and Hueman Group Media.
Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of Cascale or Hueman Group Media.
If you’re a runner, you probably know about Brooks Running’s legendary Ghost sneaker. In this episode, Gabriel Mens, Sustainability Manager at Brooks Running, walks – or should I say runs – us through the process of building a truly sustainable shoe.
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff: On the evening of August 6, 2024, Josh Kerr laced up his running shoes and walked into a stadium of roaring fans in Paris. He also had a few fans cheering him on thousands of miles away in Seattle, Washington.
Gabriel Mens: We actually all gathered in HQ to watch one of our athletes, Josh Kerr, participate in the 1500 in that final and win the silver medal, which is pretty awesome.
RLS: That’s Gabriel Mens, sustainability manager at Brooks Running. And, during the 2024 Olympics, they had quite a few athletes to watch.
GM: I think we have 11 athletes participating throughout the Olympics. Just the Olympics brings a lot of enthusiasm, and it does boost interest in the sport of track and field and running in general, so our HQ is buzzing.
RSL: In fact, the connection between the Olympics and Brooks goes back to 1972, when Frank Shorter won the gold medal for the marathon race in Germany in a pair of Brooks shoes. From then on, the company decided to focus solely — no pun intended — on running gear. Since then, the company has become a global leader in both manufacturing and sustainability.
Listen below or click here to listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
To learn more about Brooks Runnings, visit www.brooksrunning.com
Produced by Cascale and Hueman Group Media.
Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of Cascale or Hueman Group Media.
In this episode, we explore CIEL Textile’s AQUARELLE Samudra facility, a factory powered by renewable energy that minimizes water use and supports its community. CIEL Textile’s Sarbajit Ghose shares how their innovative approach shows that sustainable production is not only possible but already in practice.
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff: Imagine that I’m walking with you and my eyes are closed and you have to describe the factory to me. What does it look like?
Sarbajit Ghose: You know, the simplest answer is that it’s not easy to describe. You have to see it to believe it. It’s a very simple building. It’s very tastefully done, but it focuses on natural elements. It’s in the middle of nature, surrounded by trees. There’s a lot of use of natural light and cross ventilation.
RLS: That’s Sarbajit (or Serbie) Ghose, the Asia Executive Director of CIEL Textiles. And he’s describing AQUARELLE Sumudra, a factory located in a small village in India. This isn’t your typical manufacturing facility and there is a serious commitment to sustainability. How this place came to be and how it operates in today’s episode.
Listen now:
Produced by Cascale and Hueman Group Media.
Views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of Cascale or Hueman Group Media.
Rick Ridgeway, outdoor adventurer, writer, and Cascale co-founder, is the first guest.
Rick Ridgeway, outdoor adventurer, writer, and Cascale co-founder, is the first guest
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – October 1, 2024: Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, today launched its new podcast, “Source of Good,” featuring an exclusive interview with Rick Ridgeway—outdoor adventurer, writer, and Cascale co-founder. After dropping the podcast trailer in September, the organization will release its first season of 10 episodes bi-weekly through February 2025.
“Source of Good” spotlights inspiring stories and crucial decision points across the supply chain, exploring how consumer products can be made better for both people and the environment. Each episode features an interview with a manufacturer or brand that highlights how companies use data and insights from Cascale’s Higg Index—available exclusively on Worldly—to inform decisions that drive positive change. “Source of Good” reflects the organization’s vision of catalyzing impact at scale and giving back more than it takes to the planet and its people.
“As sustainability becomes more urgent, it’s vital for Cascale to engage audiences in new, dynamic ways,” said Lee Green, Cascale senior director of marketing and communications. “The ‘Source of Good’ podcast provides an opportunity to tell the real stories behind the data—showcasing how brands and suppliers are working together to make lasting, positive changes in the supply chain. This podcast allows us to connect with a diverse group of listeners and share insights that are transforming the industry. Our goal is to show that sustainability isn’t just an ideal but a practical, scalable reality.”
“I am proud to participate in Cascale’s new podcast, ‘Source of Good,’ which reflects the values that guided us when we first brought brands and manufacturers together over a decade ago to develop the Higg Index tools,” said Rick Ridgeway, Cascale co-founder. “This podcast provides rare insight into supply chain inflection points where more sustainable choices can and must be made.”
Among others, guests include:
In 2023, Cascale piloted the three-episode “Drivers of Change” podcast. “Source of Good” is produced by Hueman Group Media, a woman- and BIPOC-led media company that inspires social change through impactful, high-caliber podcasts and digital content. The show is hosted by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, Cascale’s communications director and a former journalist. “Source of Good” is available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and more. Click here for more information and episodes.
ABOUT CASCALE
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Spanning over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe, we are united by a singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index and a unified strategy for industry transformation.
