5 Eco-Friendly Practices in the Fashion Industry
With the influx of social media content and easy access to the latest trends and styles, the demand for fashion is not going to let up anytime soon. Consumers will always be on the lookout for the latest fashionable piece or the more stylish accessory. But they will also seek out the economical one.
This creates a demand for fast fashion; the variety which is always in vogue but also affordable and easy on the pocket. Companies grapple with this growing demand for fast fashion and are busy churning out collection after collection in this race to be the most successful in capturing the target customers.
As a result of this competition, the planet is paying a heavy price! Fast fashion accounts for 92 million tonnes of clothes-related waste every single year!
However, awareness is catching on and consumers are demanding a more ethical and sustainable approach from the fashion industry. Companies are now taking measures to align all their activities with sustainable and responsible practices.
Eco-friendly Fashion Definition
So what is eco-friendly fashion?
Eco-friendly fashion can be defined as clothing and accessories that are produced and consumed so that their environmental impact is minimised. It includes various practices that aim to reduce the negative effects of the fashion industry on the planet.
Let's take a look at the prevalent eco-friendly practices of the fashion industry.
1. Sustainable Materials
Polyester is the favourite fabric of designers and entrepreneurs in the world of fashion. However, it comes with a myriad of environmental challenges. Using sustainable materials means being more responsible and kind to the planet and endorsing eco-friendly fashion. Luckily, according to research, 66% of consumers are willing to pay extra to use sustainable clothing.
Companies are adopting sustainable fabrics to counter the environmental impact caused by fashion. Let’s see what some of them are:
- Organic cotton
Cotton that is cultivated naturally without the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides and is not modified genetically, is what we refer to as organic cotton. The output of such a crop may not be abundant, but it takes care of the soil health, the biodiversity in the area and the overall well-being of the ecosystem. The cotton that results from this method of farming is softer to the touch and of a hypoallergenic variety; a win-win for all!
- Hemp
This is among the favourites of responsible textile manufacturers as it not only delivers a soft textile but is also an eco-friendly fashion material. It is obtained from the stalk of the cannabis sativa plant and has the ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, remove heavy metals from the soil and restore its nutrients. Doesn’t all this sound marvellous?
- Recycled polyester
Polyester does not biodegrade. It just lingers on and on in the environment, piling up high in landfills and creating quite a mess! What better way to handle this problem than to recycle this stubborn material and turn it into useful fabric once again? Eco-friendly high-fashion brands have resorted to using recycled polyester and we couldn’t be happier.
2. Circular Fashion
Companies taking up circular fashion ensure that whatever they design and produce, is part of a sustainable loop. The aim is to produce fabrics that can be utilised for as long as possible and then finally be returned to the ecosystem in a restorative way. This way waste is brought to a minimum and resources are conserved.
Circular fashion has various approaches;
- Reuse, recycle or upcycle products.
- Rent, repair or resell fashion products.
- Use biodegradable material so it can return to the ecosystem in a useful way.
- Extend the lifespan of the product to reduce waste.
Of these, fashion resale is projected to grow to 476 billion dollars by 2030 becoming the most successful circular fashion business approach.
A circular approach to fashion as against linear fashion sounds like the perfect solution to the excessive practices of the fashion industry and we hope to see it become more prevalent.
3. Water Conservation
93 billion cubic metres of water is taken up solely by the fashion industry every year. And this trend is constantly on the rise! At the same time, this industry conveniently dumps chemicals, dyes, toxic wastes and microfibres into water bodies polluting them thoroughly. Conserving water from this misuse(rather abuse) is what water conservation entails.
There are many ways this can be achieved. Companies can:
- Choose organic cotton that requires less water to grow.
- Use low-impact dyeing techniques.
- Apply a closed-loop water system where water is reused in the manufacturing process.
- Treat wastewater to make it usable again.
The result will be products that can safely be labelled as made from eco-friendly fashion materials!
4. Eco-friendly Packaging
It is not just the products that worry customers; the packaging around these items also matters. Wrapping products in eco-friendly packaging is the need of the hour.
Eco-friendly packaging can be done in many ways:
- Using biodegradable packaging materials
- Using materials for packages that can be repurposed
- Getting rid of bulky boxes and stuffing
- Using renewable energy sources for the preparation of packages
Initially, it may require some investment but with customers keen to choose responsible companies over others, it will not be a bad bargain in the end.
5. Slow Fashion
This is the exact opposite of fast fashion. It involves a responsible attitude towards the production and consumption of clothing and accessories so that the environmental impact is reduced. It requires the “slowing down” of the entire system so that the burden on the planet and its inhabitants can be lessened.
Slow fashion is based on the following principles:
- A shift from quantity to quality
- Reducing waste and being responsible during production
- Taking care of the workers
- Producing order-based products to avoid wastage
- Using local materials and local labour for a transparent supply chain
- Using natural materials in production
An overall mindful approach towards the creation and use of fashion products is something we should all adopt and advocate.
CELYSTM Compostable Fibre
A positive step has been taken by the dedicated experts at INTIMITI AUSTRALIA with the production of their ground-breaking CELYSTM fully compostable fibre that can degrade completely within 179 days under industrial composting conditions. Only carbon dioxide, water and biomass are left behind in the end making sure not to burden the earth any further.
The textiles produced using CELYSTM are suitable for almost any kind of application with a great combination of attributes including naturally soft feel, hydrophilicity and low-temperature dyeing. This novel polyester has received a “Compostable Certificate” from BPI and DIN CERTCO making it an extraordinary addition to the fashion world.
Final Word
It is clear that we need to all pitch in. We need to all do our part. Let us be mindful of our choices. Let us join hands and help make a difference. Though individual contributions may not seem like much, each individual playing a part is what will ultimately drive the change!
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