Planet
Sustainable fashion is a term for producing merchandise whilst considering the social and environmental impacts, in order to create a more ethical supply chain. The fashion industry is responsible for over 11715 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and 93 billion cubic meters of water annually. (Geneva environment network, 2023) Without efforts to avert heating above 1.5C this could trigger a cascade of events leading to irreversible damage to the global climate system and further warming. (Yale environment 360, 2023) However with consumption rapidly increasing meaning 3x more natural resources will be needed by 2050, this seems impossible.
Efforts are being made to change the circular economy as the current system leads to 75% of discarded clothing ending up in landfill or being incinerated. According to the Conde Nast sustainable fashion glossary, the average cost per tonne of landfill is £100, costing the UK economy up to £82 million a year. (Williams D; Burcikova M; Needham S et al., 2019) The vision for the circular economy focuses on 3 areas; new business models to increase clothing use, safe and renewable inputs, and solutions to turn used clothes into new. Brands such as Patrick McDowell have started to implement these ideas, such as using discard materials such as Swarovski jewels and recycling them into new collections. To decrease the companies waste with their collection ‘Cinderella shall go to the football’ the brand has agreed to do repairs, alterations and completely transform worn pieces. The aim being to stop garments from only being worn a few times then discarded.
Responsible consumption and production is one of the UN sustainable development goals, 62 countries plus the EU have introduced 485 policies for sustainable consumption and production shifts and 70% of monitored companies released sustainability reports in 2021, 3x the amount in 2016. (UN the sustainable development goals report, Guterres A, 2023) Once a garment is purchased its known as the ‘Use phase’. This stage of consumption includes wearing, laundering, and repairing garments. Studies have shown that most environmental impacts are created during this phase mainly due to laundering. Although large amounts of textile waste can be attributed to wasteful production methods, it’s also attributed to poor consumer care methods, early disposal of items, lack of repair skills and recycling. Therefore it’s important that designers and producers understand how garments are used and discarded so they can remanufacture/produce new garments to improve the pattern of use. Responsible production however is difficult to improve as the industry’s made up of a global network of suppliers, producers, and retailers and to make improvements involves leasing with multiple stakeholders all working under different laws and legislations. (Gwilt A, 2014)
Overall, it’s important that brands are held accountable for their addition to the global climate crisis. Brands need to be transparent with their production process so consumers have full knowledge before deciding to purchase their products.