Sustainable fashion is an emerging movement that supports slow, fair, and organic production methods. This type of fashion is not an alternative to traditional fashion; it works within the existing fashion industry eco-system, incorporating environmentally-friendly business practices alongside conventional methods. It is an effective way to reduce waste, employ women, and support local economies.
Reduce consumption
A key goal of sustainable fashion is to reduce consumption. In addition to reducing emissions and waste, this goal aims to minimize natural resource use. In many cases, consumers will be able to find a more environmentally friendly product at a lower price. Using recycled fibers is one of the most potent ways to reduce consumption.
According to estimates, the fashion industry accounts for 4% to 10% of global carbon emissions. The industry is also prone to unsustainable practices. Its business practices include producing large quantities of low-quality clothing with poor-quality materials. In addition, consumers are expected to buy fast-fashion clothing and footwear at low prices.
Promote recycling
The fashion industry is a major global polluter, and some established brands have started to push recycling programs. Some brands, such as Cotton Incorporated, are joining denim recycling programs. These programs often involve a range of promotional offers, which encourage further consumption. This can lead to increased pollution and less sustainable clothing.
Moreover, the consumption habit of fast fashion creates a vast amount of clothing waste. By reducing the number of purchases and reusing old clothes, conscious consumers can ensure the life of their closet. Recycled garments have a longer life cycle, and they can be reused and worn with creativity.
Many retailers have pledged to promote recycling and sustainability, including H&M and Zara. Some are even taking steps to make their stores more efficient. In addition, some have begun a recycling program that collects and reuses old clothing. Some companies even have partnerships with other stores to sell recycled clothing.
Reduce waste
One of the most important principles of sustainable fashion is to reduce waste. This is achieved through different methods. Some of these methods include upcycling, a reusing material that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Upcycling also reduces the number of carbon emissions and toxic gases released into the environment. Unfortunately, this process does have some drawbacks. The first is that it produces garments with twice the amount of microfibres than a standard garment. Furthermore, this method uses more energy and chemicals than traditional manufacturing methods.
In addition to recycling, sustainable fashion practices reduce the material used in the manufacturing process. Some companies have made this goal easier by incorporating recycled materials into their products. Some others have adopted the principles of ethical and fair trade fashion to ensure that their materials are as sustainable as possible.
Employ women
Sustainable fashion ensures labor sustainability throughout the supply chain. In addition to ensuring the dignity of workers, sustainable fashion also ensures that all stakeholders are paid a living wage. Providing less than minimum wage and insufficient income to cover basic expenses, like medical care, can lead to poverty and poor health, so workers must be compensated fairly.
In the Los Angeles garment industry, 85 percent of garment workers report experiencing wage theft. Some earn as little as $5 per hour. These factories are a part of supply chains for brands like Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, and Charlotte Russe. In addition, less than one percent of the material recycled in the production of clothes is recycled, and non-biodegradable materials sit in landfills for hundreds of years.
Address social issues
There are several social issues relating to fashion. These include child labor and dangerous working conditions. In addition, the industry suffers from high costs and pressure to lower costs, resulting in poor working conditions and low pay. It has also been linked to modern slavery. By investing in ethical manufacturing processes, fashion companies can help to address these social issues.
The fashion industry produces an estimated two to eight percent of the world’s carbon emissions, which is part of its environmental and social costs. This comes from oil-based pesticides and machinery used to harvest crops and transport them. Moreover, the industry uses eleven percent of insecticides and 24 percent of the world’s pesticides. The UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion (UNA) sees fashion as a form of activism and empowerment.
