PLANET
The planet Earth is not just a distant celestial body; it is our home, the only place known to support life. It is a vital pillar of sustainable fashion as it introduces the importance of protecting the Earth’s ecosystems, conserving natural resources, and mitigating environmental challenges to ensure a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
The fashion industry poses serious harm to the environment and the society, ranking the second world’s largest polluters after oil. It is accountable for approximately 20% of global industrial water pollution. Therefore, change must be made through the adoption of sustainable fashion.
The concept of circular economy is closely tied to sustainability. It encourages reducing, reusing, and recycling materials and products to minimise waste and decrease the environmental impact of production and consumption. This concept has evolved into an integral component that connects the fashion industry with the principles of sustainability.
Tamara Charm, the co-leader of McKinsey’s Agile Insights group, claimed that consumers today, especially the millennials, prefer products that are more natural, GMO free and recyclable. The younger generations are more aware of the significance of the topic sustainability. People are also concerning fair-trade practices, indicating the treatment of workers by companies at the opposite end of the supply chain. As the fashion industry relies extensively on consumers and their demand. In response to this new demand, brands throughout the industry have diligently endeavoured to integrate sustainable practices into their operational processes.
Nowadays, fashion innovations has not only enhance sustainability within the fashion industry but also make meaningful contributions to the broader achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that is highly relevant to the fashion industry is SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. In the context of the fashion industry, this goal is particularly compelling due to the industry’s consequential environmental and social impact.
According to research, the fashion industry annually consumes 98 million tonnes of non-renewable resources, with only 12 percent of clothing materials currently being recycled. However, SDG 12 encourages the industry to adopt more sustainable production practices. Reducing the environmental footprint of clothing production by using eco-friendly materials, optimizing manufacturing processes to minimize waste and energy consumption, and reducing the use of harmful chemicals. An exemplary brand in this regard is Reformation. Every product offered by Reformation includes a detailed description and an environmental rating, providing customers with insights into the ecological consequences of their clothing choices. These items are carefully crafted using recycled and sustainable materials, and they are produced in environments where fair wages are ensured for workers. Remarkably, Reformation has maintained a carbon-neutral status since 2015, actively participating in efforts to preserve deforested areas as a way to balance out the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes. Additionally, customers have the option to exchange their pre-owned clothing with Reformation, receiving credit toward the purchase of new items.
Bibliography:
Bringé, A. (2023) Council post: The State of Sustainability in the fashion industry (and what it means for brands), Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2023/01/02/the-state-of-sustainability-in-the-fashion-industry-and-what-it-means-for-brands/?sh=1f5f36081c82
Charm, T., Dua, A. and Robinson, K. (2022) Rise of the inclusive, sustainable consumers, McKinsey & Company. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/sustainable-inclusive-growth/future-of-america/rise-of-the-inclusive-sustainable-consumers
Hempstead, M. (2022) Fashion and the UN SDGS, Springwise. Available at: https://www.springwise.com/sustainable-source/fashion-and-the-sdgs/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20important,in%20clothing%20is%20currently%20recycled.
Marshall, D. (2022) What is Sustainable Fashion and why is it so important, IMMAGO. Available at: https://immago.com/sustainable-fashion-important/
Morgan, B. (2023) 11 fashion companies leading the way in Sustainability, Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2020/02/24/11-fashion-companies-leading-the-way-in-sustainability/?sh=1161c63c6dba