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Technology is being developed to reduce water use in dyeing but the use and abuse of water to dye clothing continues

Nike has opened its first water-free facility, which will end the use of water and process chemicals from fabric dyeing at its Taiwanese contract manufacturer Far Eastern New Century. The process, which Nike has dubbed ColorDry, reduces dyeing time by 40 percent, energy use by about 60 percent and the required factory footprint by 25 percent compared to traditional methods, the company says. ColorDry products will be introduced to the marketplace in early 2014

The process, which Nike has dubbed ColorDry, reduces dyeing time by 40 percent, energy use by about 60 percent and the required factory footprint by 25 percent compared to traditional methods, the company says.

In an effort to dye its clothes without using toxic chemicals, the green-minded apparel company is making its new Clean Color Collection with natural dyes sourced from 96 percent renewable resources.

Representatives from across the apparel industry recently came together at the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute of Texas Tech University, where Wrangler, Lee, the Walmart Foundation and Indigo Mill Designs unveiled a disruptive new dyeing process for producing denim. In a radical departure from water-based dyeing, IndigoZERO™ uses a foam-based process to reduce water and energy use by more than 90 percent

Nike identified water inadequacy and resource cost volatility among the risks, opportunities and challenges surrounding its business. This became the driving force behind the forging of the relationship between Nike and Dutch award-winning startup DyeCoo, a Dutch company that launched the world's first ever industrial dyeing machine that uses high pressure carbon dioxide (CO2) as a replacement for water to dye polyester.

Nike opened a waterless dying facility in Taiwan that requires 60% less energy than traditional factories.

The processes developed by AirDye, ColorZen and DyeCoo - the latter's process is being used by Adidas - differ greatly, but their results are similar: water use is cut to near zero sharply cutting pollution, the quantity of chemicals used is greatly reduced and faster drying cycles cut energy consumption.

Knowing how conventional cotton is grown and denim is made, Patagonia has set out to change the industry. The company has partnered with Archroma on a new denim collection, launched this week, which is said to use 84% less water, 30% less energy and 25% less CO2 compared to conventional denim dyeing processes - as well as a campaign telling us all about it.

Knowing how conventional cotton is grown and denim is made, always-a-better-way outdoor apparel brand Patagonia has set out to change the industry. The company has partnered with chemical company Archroma on a new denim collection, launched this week - which is Fair Trade certified and said to use 84 percent less water, 30 percent less energy and 25 percent less CO2 compared to conventional denim dyeing processes - as well as a campaign telling us all about it.

Levi Strauss & Co. launched its Wellthread Collection, which is produced with around 65% less water in the dye process and requires up to 50% less water on denim finishes, compared to conventional methods. The collection is also designed for 100% recyclability and produced at facilities that invest in the advancement of financial literacy, women's health, and family wellness. 

This week, Levi's announced the Fall 2015 launch of the Levi's Wellthread™ Collection, which touts a holistic, sustainable design approach: The line was made in 100 percent cotton for easier recyclability, by empowered workers - and includes the first garments to feature Levi's Water<Less denim finishes, which use up to 50 percent less water. 

Five fashion companies -- Eileen Fisher, H&M, Kering, Zero + Maria Cornejo and Loomstate -- now belong to the Fashion Positive PLUS initiative and will help develop "circular solutions" for clothing materials that can be used and reused. The goal of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute's initiative is to improve commonly used materials, including dyes and yarns, so they have positive health impacts while also promoting change in the industry.

In two years, the global fashion industry uses as much water as is in the entire Mediterranean Sea, and that makes conservation a key priority for sustainably run fashion brands. Nike is working with Dutch eco-dying company DyeCoo to reduce its water consumption and to encourage better conservation practices across the fashion industry

Mars, Inc. announced plans to remove artificial coloring from its entire human food product portfolio.