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Eco versus traditional denim: LCA analysis

decrease, but S2 would still maintain an environmental
advantage. For categories less dependent on energy
sources – such as water use and human toxicity – S2
retained a strong advantage even if energy assumptions
were altered. This indicates that the environmental
benefits in S2 are robust under different conditions:
Even if one factor is less favorable, the combination
of improvements in S2 ensures it remains equal to
or better than S1. For decision-makers, this means
that the superiority of the eco-friendly scenario is not
contingent on perfect conditions; even with variations in
consumer behavior or energy context, the S2 approach
is consistently sound.
The uncertainty analysis further reinforces the
reliability of our results. By performing Monte
Carlo simulations on the LCI data, we accounted for
uncertainties in emissions factors, resource use, and
Figure 6. Z-score normalized impact comparison other inputs. As detailed in Table 3, the simulation results
between traditional (S1) and eco-friendly (S2) show that S2 outperformed S1 in the vast majority of
scenarios. S1 profile is marked in red, whereas S2 is trials across all impact categories. The only exception
presented in blue. Each axis represents one impact was land use, where the variability in organic cotton
category, standardized by mean and variance to yields occasionally resulted in overlapping or slightly
allow relative comparison. Points closer to the outer reversed outcomes. However, this uncertainty does not
edge indicate categories where the impact exceeds affect the conclusions for other impact categories, where
the scenario’s average. S2’s advantage remains clear and statistically robust.
Abbreviations: FRS: Fossil resource scarcity; This method of analyzing uncertainty is preferable to
HTP: Human toxicity potential. applying p-values from t-tests on deterministic single-
scenario outputs, which can be misleading in LCA
absolute gap between the scenarios narrowed, but the contexts. Instead, by simulating a range of plausible
ranking remained unchanged. Conversely, assuming inventory values and directly estimating the probability
very infrequent laundering (representing highly eco- of S2 being environmentally superior, we generated
conscious behavior), the absolute impacts decreased for a more meaningful and context-appropriate measure
both S1 and S2, yet the percentage difference between of statistical confidence. These results strengthen our
them remained nearly constant. This suggests that the claim that the observed improvements are not artifacts
relative advantage of S2 is not sensitive to moderate of modeling choices or random fluctuations, but genuine
effects tied to the interventions in S2.
variations in consumer behavior. In summary, the results demonstrate a clear
When examining the role of energy sourcing, we improvement in environmental performance when
found that it is indeed a significant driver of differences transitioning to the eco-friendly denim manufacturing
in categories such as climate change and FRS. If S2 were scenario. These improvements are directly linked to the
powered entirely by a fossil-based grid – eliminating specific interventions implemented in S2 – including
its use of renewable energy – the GHG advantage over sustainable cotton farming, water recycling, and
S1 would be reduced, with the emissions gap shrinking renewable energy use – and are evident across multiple
from ~30% to under 15%. This indicates that about half impact categories. Moreover, the benefits are consistent
of S2’s climate benefit arises from its renewable energy and robust. S2 excels under the baseline conditions and
use, with the remainder attributed to other factors such remains better (or at least no worse) under a range of
as organic cotton and energy efficiency. Similarly, S2’s alternative assumptions and uncertainties. Therefore,
fossil resource savings would diminish if it were not the study provides strong evidence that adopting eco-
actually substituting renewables for fossil fuels. On the friendly practices in Bangladesh’s denim industry can
flip side, if S1 were to integrate some renewable energy substantially reduce environmental impacts without
inputs, the differences between the scenarios would also unintended trade-offs.

Volume 22 Issue 3 (2025) 83 doi: 10.36922/ajwep.6241