Nike Opens Materials Sustainability Index to Public
Nike has opened up its Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) to the public, enabling consumers to make more informed decisions about the environmental impact of their purchases. The MSI, previously used internally, evaluates the environmental footprint of materials used in products.
The MSI was developed by Nike, Walmart, and Patagonia as a collaborative effort to create a universal approach for measuring sustainability performance. This later evolved into the Higg Index, managed by Cascale. The MSI is now maintained by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, which includes over 80 brands, retailers, and suppliers.
Previously, life cycle assessments (LCAs) were used to measure environmental impact, but they were resource-intensive and often conducted late in the production process. The MSI, however, allows for early evaluation, helping designers make eco-friendly decisions through Nike's Environmental Apparel Design Tool.
A public online tool allows casual users to view overall ratings for different materials using the MSI. Additionally, the MSI is available through an application programming interface (API) for other developers to build tools. This means more consumers can access information about the environmental impact of products and materials, helping them make choices that align with their values.
By releasing the MSI to the public, Nike encourages a shift in how companies measure success, moving beyond profit to assess environmental impact. This transparency empowers consumers to make decisions that consider not just price and functionality, but also the environmental footprint of their purchases. The ultimate goal is to have cradle-to-grave environmental impact assessments of consumer goods, fostering a more sustainable future.
