Planet
INTRODUCE THE PILLAR: PLANET
The rapid fashion business, in particular, causes serious environmental and societal issues. Every year, it produces 92 million tons of textile waste, with 30% of the clothing leaving unsold and frequently being burned for convenience. Fast fashion strains water resources owing to cotton farming, pollutes streams with harmful colours, and promotes microfiber pollution in the ocean. In addition, it accounts for 4% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. With customers purchasing 400% more apparel than they did 20 years ago, overconsumption is the root of this problem. Quick deterioration of low-quality clothing feeds the cycle. As consumer behaviour change, fashion becomes more of a passion, which results in unnecessary waste. Industry transformation requires sustainable business practices and ethical consumer decisions. (Komazova, 2022)
What is circular economy?
In a circular economy, nature is replenished and materials are never wasted. Products and resources are kept in circulation in a circular economy by procedures like upkeep, reuse, renovation, remanufacturing, recycling, and composting. (Ellen Macarthur Foundation, 2023)
What is sustainability in relation to fashion?
We must first understand what exactly sustainability implies in the fashion business before we can examine how the sector is embracing it. Sustainability in this context refers to manufacturing and consuming clothing in a “sustained” manner that safeguards the environment and people are responsible for its production. True sustainability should also ensure that every aspect of the production process—from raw materials to manufacturing to working conditions and compensation is ethically and environmentally fair. (Bringé, 2023)
Describe 1 SDG from the UN SDG which has relevance and an impact on the fashion industry.
One SDG or Sustainable development goals from UN SDG which has relevance is Clean water and Sanitation. A brand in particular which Patagonia saves a lot of water and is immensely sustainable.
The different water footprints in Patagonia’s manufacturing processes are revealed by their transparency, bringing to light the difficult issues in supply chains. The amount of water used varies greatly depending on the type of clothing; for example, a cotton/Tencel women’s top uses 379 liters, a men’s nylon waterproof jacket uses 206 liters, and a polyester fleece top needs 135 liters. Interesting low-water products often require a lot of energy, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental challenges. The most water-intensive clothing, such cotton T-shirts, is notable; this reflects historical practices and sustainability issues. This emphasizes the necessity of an all-encompassing sustainability approach and the pressing need to reconsider consumption patterns in order to create a more sustainable future. (Fletcher and Grose,2012, pp 28-29)
Reference:
Bringé, A. (2023). Council Post: The State Of Sustainability In The Fashion Industry (And What It Means For Brands). [online] 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=470bd7091c82 (Accessed 7 Oct. 2023).
Ellen Macarthur Foundation (2023). What is a circular economy? [online] Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Available at:https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview. (Accessed on 5th Oct. 2023)
Fletcher and Grose (2022) Fashion and Sustainability: Design for Change
Fig 1. No name (No date) The Circular Economy diagram, Available at:
https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/recycling-and-waste/circular-economy-support-residents
(Accessed on 5th October,2023)
Fig 2. No Name ( No date) Nano Puffer Jacket, Available at:
https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/patagonia-nano-puff-jacket-synthetic-jacket/
(Accessed on 5th October,2023)
Komazova, I. (2022). Fast Fashion is Destroying Our Planet: What You Can Do | World Cleanup Day Blogpost. [online] Available at: https://www.worldcleanupday.org/post/fast-fashion-is-destroying-our-planet-what-you-can-do#:~:text=As%20about%2069%25%20of%20clothes. (Accessed on 5thOctober,2023)