Levi’s has introduced a plant-based version of its 501 jeans as part of its efforts to improve sustainability. 

The Plant-Based 501s are made from at least 97 per cent plant-based materials, including certified organic cotton, natural dyestuff, a plant-based patch, and ink derived from wood waste. 

According to the brand, these jeans will hit the market later this year and are an example of what the industry could look like in the future, given the push to reduce synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels and the need to make more garments with renewable inputs rather than finite resources.

They represent a development in the company’s design innovation practice, expanding on previous seasons while providing new foundations for future seasons.  

“As a company that has been making 501 for 150 years now, we have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to continually interrogate the process by which these jeans are made,” said Paul Dillinger, VP of design innovation at Levi Strauss & Co. 

“These jeans build on past efforts to create more circular jeans and in turn give us a foundation for future innovation.”

In addition, Levi’s is producing a hemp/cotton blend Selvedge 501, building on its efforts with cottonized hemp over the years through its Wellthread line. These will be available throughout the year in a variety of colours and finishes for both men and women, with some containing natural dyes.

Circular 501, which was initially released last year, is also being recognised as part of the 150th-anniversary celebration. These jeans are constructed from organic cotton and Renewcell’s Circulose fibre, as well as viscose derived in part from recycled denim and other forms of textile waste.