Planet and the Path to Sustainability
The fashion industry has always had a significant impact on our planet, from the production of textiles to the disposal of old clothing. However, as environmental awareness grows, so does the demand for sustainable fashion. ‘Planet,’ in the context of the UK fashion industry, is more than just a celestial body; it symbolises a commitment to preserving the Earth’s resources and protecting our environment. Sustainability is at the forefront of inauguration in the fashion industry (Jennifer Xiaopei Wu and Li Li, 2019). The global fashion industry is estimated to be worth around $1.7 trillion (Zippa, 2023), and is accountable for 20% of global water waste and 10% of global CO2 emissions. Fast fashion’s disposable culture encourages overconsumption, leading to excessive resource depletion, pollution, and waste. While some capitalize on this unsustainable model, we must recognize the urgent need to shift towards more sustainable, responsible practices in the fashion industry to protect our environment for future generations.
Circular economy within the fashion industry
Currently, the fashion industry follows a linear system, which involves producing and consuming clothes. This has a detrimental impact on the environment as less than 1% of the garments that are discarded are recycled (Katarina Rimarciko, 2023). However, as we look to the future a circular economy within the fashion industry must be implemented. The concept of a circular economy involves a disruption of the traditional linear fashion model, characterized by “take-make-dispose,” and instead advocates for a regenerative system where materials and products are reused, remanufactured, and recycled, minimizing waste and maximizing value. The circular economy within the fashion industry represents a promising shift towards sustainability, responsible consumption, and a more conscientious approach to clothing production and consumption. This introduction explores the key principles and potential benefits of the circular economy in fashion, shedding light on its role in shaping a more sustainable and ethical future for the industry.
Fashion designer Tanguy Mélinand (Hypebeast, 2023) has been exploring different materials such as seaweed and how it can be used in the fashion industry as a step toward a more sustainable planet. Mélinand’s innovative approach to incorporating seaweed into fashion has not only sparked eco-conscious trends but also raised awareness about sustainable alternatives in the industry (Vogue, 2023).
SDG’s
The UN Sustainability Development Goal that relates most to the fashion industry is goal 6. Clean water and sanitation – water scarcity affects more than 40% of the world’s population. One wash load of polyester fabrics can release 700,000 microplastic fibres into the environment, polluting the surroundings that we are meant to look after (Christina Animashaun/ 2019). In Monday’s lecture we learnt that it takes over 2700 litres of water to produce one T-shirt, to put this into context around 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water at home(CDC, 2022). By finding a better solution to combat the consumption of water within the fashion industry, we can not only reduce the environmental impact of clothing production but also contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet.
Bibliography
HeatAble (2023). Most Polluting Industries in 2022 Revealed. [online] heatable.co.uk. Available at: https://heatable.co.uk/boiler-advice/most-polluting-industries.
Hypebeast. (2023). Can Seaweed Become the Future of Sustainable Fashion? [online] Available at: https://hypebeast.com/2023/5/can-seaweed-become-the-future-of-sustainable-fashion.
PANGAIA (2022). About PANGAIA. [online] PANGAIA. Available at: https://pangaia.com/pages/about-us.
Wu, J.X. and Li, L. (2019). Sustainability Initiatives in the Fashion Industry. [online] www.intechopen.com. IntechOpen. Available at: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/68462.
United Nations (2023). The 17 sustainable development goals. [online] United Nations. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals.
Ellen Macarthur Foundation (2022). Fashion and the circular economy. [online] ellenmacarthurfoundation.org. Available at: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/fashion-and-the-circular-economy-deep-dive.
Ariella, S. (2022). 28 Dazzling Fashion Industry Statistics [2022]: How Much Is The Fashion Industry Worth – Zippia. [online] Zippia. Available at: https://www.zippia.com/advice/fashion-industry-statistics/#:~:text=The%20global%20fashion%20industry%20is.
Bick, R., Halsey, E. and Ekenga, C.C. (2018). The Global Environmental Injustice of Fast Fashion. Environmental Health, [online] 17(1), pp.1–4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7.
Chan, E. (2022). Why Recycling Won’t Solve Fashion’s Sustainability Problem. [online] British Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/recycling-fashion.
Fig.1 (Image credit: Alamy/Javier Hirschfeld) Ro, C. (2020). Can fashion ever be sustainable? [online] BBC. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200310-sustainable-fashion-how-to-buy-clothes-good-for-the-climate.
Fig. 2 Brophy, K. (2020). Fast fashion 2 – How does the fashion industry need to change? [online] Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering. Available at: https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/molecular-science-engineering/2020/09/25/fast-fashion-2-circular-fashion/.
Fig.3 Dwell. (n.d.). Photo 17 of 24 in The Wild and Wonderful World of Icelandic Design. [online] Available at: https://www.dwell.com/article/designmarch-2023-icelandic-design-festival-highlights-f6a81039/7064131269251571712 [Accessed 8 Oct. 2023].
Fig.4 United Nations (2015). Sustainable development goals launch in 2016. [online] United Nations Sustainable Development. Available at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/12/sustainable-development-goals-kick-off-with-start-of-new-year/.
www.youtube.com. (n.d.). UNSTITCHED: How the Fashion Industry is Destroying the Planet. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbqOEXomPvk.