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Research Confirms Problem of Legacy Data in LCA: Here's How Green Story Ensures Regional Relevance and Accuracy in Sustainability Claims

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Akhil
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Data & transparency

A recent peer-reviewed study, “Legacy Datasets and Their Impacts: Analysing Ecoinvent’s Influence on Wool and Polyester LCA Outcomes”, has revealed a key challenge in how environmental impacts in fashion are measured. The research shows that many Life Cycle Assessments(LCAs)—used to compare fibres like polyester and wool—are based on outdated, global-average data. This has led to polyester’s impact being underestimated by up to 44%, and wool’s being overestimated, especially when local factors like carbon sequestration are ignored.

These gaps have influenced fibre certifications, eco-labels,and what consumers believe is “sustainable.” But there’s good news: newer datapaints a different picture—and it’s pushing the industry to rethink how wemeasure sustainability.

At Green Story, we’re already solving this challenge by bringing in accurate, region-specific data and up-to-date methods that reflecttoday’s textile supply chains. We recognise that data integrity is central to accuracy.

Key Insights from the Research

The findings from the Sustainability journal paper highlight several long-standing issues in LCA methodology:

  • Legacy data's impact - older LCA data misrepresented both polyester and wool impacts
  • Lack of regional data - global averages failed to capture local practices (e.g. wool farming in New Zealand)
  • Low detail for polyester - this was modelled using outdated data from Europe
  • New data changes the narrative - it narrows the impact gap between fibres significantly
  • Circularity missing - important metrics like recyclability and biodegradability were often missing

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These findings show why LCAs must become more detailed, localised, and forward-looking.

‍Green Story’s Response: A Data-Driven, Localised Approach

Green Story’s platform was built to overcome these legacy issues. We work with brands and manufacturers to deliver environmental impact data that’s not only accurate—but also reflects real-world supply chains and current sustainability expectations.

1. Real Supply Chain Data

We collect primary data directly from suppliers, and where needed, use trusted regional datasets—avoiding generalisations that mislead. For example, we’ve gathered on-the-ground data from 23 factories and 14 audits for leading apparel clients.

2. Latest, Verified Information

We use the most current datasets (ecoinvent, GaBi,AgResearch) and align with third-party-reviewed studies. Our models are constantly updated to reflect new technologies, materials, and regional energysources.

3. Circularity and Full Lifecycle

Our LCAs include key metrics like recyclability,biodegradability, and microplastic impact, and follow globalstandards like PEF and EU Eco-Score. This ensures brands canmeasure their full footprint—from production to end-of-life.

4. Trusted and Transparent

All Green Story assessments follow ISO 14040/44 standards and are have several layers of review to ensure accuracy. That means brands can confidently use our data for reporting, marketing, and compliance.

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Real-World Impact: Transforming Sustainability Data

Green Story has partnered with leading sustainable brands to deliver credible, data-backed environmental impact claims and insights:

  • Stanley/Stella, one of Europe’s leading blanks suppliers, leveraged Green Story’s LCA platform to launch digital product passports backed by primary data from 23 factories and 14 in-person audits.
  • Pact, a sustainable apparel pioneer out of Texas, saw a significant increase in sales by integrating Green Story’s verified environmental metrics into its customer communications.
  • International manufacturers such as Reliance, Allmade (part of Sanmar Group), Complete Clothing and HWear have also used Green Story’s LCAs and data to support successful compliance with global regulations, corporate footprint reporting, B Corp certification and implementation of Digital Product Passports (DPPs).

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Looking Ahead

The research confirms what many in the industry have sensed: it's time to move beyond outdated datasets. Brands need tools that reflect local impact, modern processes, and circularity goals.

At Green Story, we’re working closely with universities and industry experts to keep our LCAs future-ready. Our goal is simple: help fashion manufacturers tell an honest, verified sustainability story backed bythe right data.

Learn More

To explore how your brand can benefit from regionally accurate, up-to-date LCAs, visit www.greenstory.io/book-a-demo or get in touch with our team.

Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/14/6513

Image sourced from StockCake under Public Domain license.