Planet
In this ever-changing world of fashion, companies often take profit over societal and environmental issues, resulting in inequality, overproduction, resource depletion, etc. A report by WRAP found that around 300,000 tonnes of clothing is discarded each year in the UK (Gwilt, Alison, 2020). Imagine the amount of waste created each year globally.
In order to reduce environmental damage, it is crucial to understand the four pillars of the fashion business: People, Planet, Profit, and Purpose. The one that relates to the environment is Planet. According to Allwood et al (2006), the fashion industry contributes to natural resources, such as fossil fuels, to generate energy for production. It releases toxic chemicals which may affect human health. Also, water is depleted for fabric crops, clothing manufacturing, and laundering. These processes pollute our waterways and clean water(Gwilt, Alison, 2020). The instances exemplify the need to be more sustainable. But what does sustainable mean? And how do companies become more sustainable?
Being sustainable refers to brands that make ethical and eco-friendly decisions. It can be companies that ensure proper working conditions, use higher quality fabrics, or reduce packaging. For example, Katharine Hamnett London is a brand that is transparent about its production and produces timeless clothing items. It also commits to good labour standards and complies with REACH standards for dyeing and water treatment (Gwilt, Alison, 2020).
Previously, in the linear economic model, companies discarded used clothing as waste. However, a new approach called the circular economy is a sustainable cycle for the economy. This method repurposes old garments and fabrics to the economy after use to minimise waste. Some brands have started implementing circular economy practices, namely the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2017 (Gwilt, Alison, 2020). The report A New Textiles Economy: Redesign Fashion’s Future mentioned how the foundation brings fashion industry leaders like H&M, Nike, and Lenzing to promote recycling, reuse, and reproduction. It hopes to reduce the waste from manufacturing, transportation, and clothing disposition.
In addition, a set of global goals known as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals from the UN aim to enhance the quality of lives of individuals. One that relates the most to the Planet is number 12 – responsible consumption and production. It desires to reduce waste generation, improve resource efficiency, and promote sustainable practices.
Due to globalisation and fast fashion, the fashion industry generates excessive waste that impacts the environment. The industry must adapt the change towards more sustainable practices such as the circular economy and apply SDG into practices so that future generations can enjoy the resources we have.
Reference:
Gwilt, Alison (2020). A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion, Bloomsbury Publishing USA. Chapter 1- Rethinking Fashion Design (P.4,6,10,18)
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ual/reader.action?docID=6234061&ppg=12