Lululemon Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Greenwashing Allegations
Lululemon is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by Florida resident Amandeep Gyani. The lawsuit accuses the athleisure giant of greenwashing through its "Be Planet" marketing campaign. Launched in October 2020, the campaign claimed that Lululemon's products and actions avoid environmental harm and contribute to restoring a healthy planet. However, the lawsuit alleges these claims are misleading.
Key Allegations:
Greenwashing: The "Be Planet" campaign misleads consumers about the environmental impact of Lululemon's products.
Scope 3 Emissions: Lululemon's supply chain emissions more than doubled between 2020 and 2022 and are expected to increase as the company aims to double its 2021 revenue by 2026.
Air Freight Usage: The company extensively uses air freight, significantly impacting the environment compared to competitors.
Synthetic Fibers: Approximately 60% of Lululemon’s materials are synthetic, such as polyester and nylon, which are criticized for shedding microplastics and being derived from fossil fuels.
Resale Program: The "Like New" program, intended to promote sustainability, is criticized for encouraging the purchase of new items, thus not effectively reducing environmental harm.
The company responded to the lawsuit by saying Lululemon stands by its sustainability claims, citing a 60% reduction in emissions within its facilities and ongoing efforts to address supply chain emissions through collaboration and validated climate targets.
