Week 1-Planet
Circular economy is an economic and industrial system to minimise the waste and pollution that has generated during the production and after consumption. In circular economy, the goal is reusing the existing products and resource in circulation, thereby reducing the harm on environment, and promoting the concept of sustainability. According to the EMF report (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2023), the circular economy is constituted by three principles: 1. eliminate waste and pollution, 2. circulate products and materials, 3. regenerate nature.
Sustainability in relation to fashion refers to a series of practices, principles and approaches that aimed to reducing the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry. The fashion industry has significantly impact on the environment, for examples in the environment circumstance, the waste material generated during the production of textiles and clothing were all poured into the ocean this harmed the life below water (UN SDGs14); in society circumstance, fashion industry often issued with labour practice and ethical concerns.
A pressing issue within the fashion industry is the lack of equal opportunities for garment workers, especially women (UN SDGs 5). The Clean Clothes Campaign’s report exposes tragic incidents of abuse and gender discrimination in some fashion industries (Clean Clothes Campaign, n.d). Major fashion brands like Gap and H&M have also faced allegations of abuse and oppression of their Asian female employees (Hodal, K., 2018). These examples illustrate the urgent need for fair treatment, safe working conditions and justice wages for garment workers in the fashion industry. Moreover, women often face barriers in gaining access to leadership positions, especially in large fashion houses and design studios. This gender imbalance runs counter to UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, which aims to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. By failing to provide equal opportunities for women, the fashion industry perpetuates gender stereotypes and limits women’s career advancement. For example, a report from 2022 McKinsey & Company study found that women hold only 14% of executive board positions in the fashion industry (McKinsey & Company, 2022). This lack of female representation at the decision-making level slow down the industry’s ability to understand and cater to the diverse needs and preferences of consumers. By advocating for gender equality and ensuring equal representation, the fashion industry can tap into a broader talent pool and foster innovation and creativity. This leads to the majority of women globally working in poor conditions.
Bibliography:
Clean clothes campaign (n, d.) Systematic abuse and discrimination. Available at: https://cleanclothes.org/issues/migrants-in-depth/stories/systematic-abuse-and-discrimination (Accessed: 07 October 2023)
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2023) Circular economy introduction, Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Available at: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview (Accessed: 07 October 2023).
European Parliament (2023) Circular economy: definition, importance and benefits. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/economy/20151201STO05603/circular-economy-definition-importance-and-benefits#:~:text=The%20circular%20economy%20is%20a,reducing%20waste%20to%20a%20minimum. (Accessed: 07 October 2023)
Hodal, K. (2018) Abuse is daily reality for female garment workers for Gap and H&M, says report. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jun/05/female-garment-workers-gap-hm-south-asia (Accessed: 07 October 2023).
McKinsey & Company (2022) Women in the workplace 2022. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace (Accessed: 07 October 2023).