The fashion and textiles industry is under great pressure to become more sustainable. The reason is that is currently highly unsustainable, despite the fact that this very consumer oriented industry is highly dependent on volatile perceptions among their customers. Today, the textiles industry use roughly 8000 different chemicals in the processing from cotton fields to products in the stores. 25% of the worlds pesticides are being used here. And the industry has been experiencing repeated scams involving child labour, harsh working conditions and environmental impact.
Today it is generally hard for consumers to find clothes with low negative impact on sustainability. This is partly a problem of labeling, partly a problem of measuring and partly a problem of a complex supply chain.
We do however expect consumers to start requesting more ecological production, so the issues above will have to be addressed by the industry. I am personally enthusiastic about the new initiative A Better Choice which is an organisation within the textiles and fashion industry to help drive the development of more sustainable processes. The launch was last week.
The potential for innovation within this industry is great – to reduce the need for chemicals, to reduce the water usage and to reduce the energy consumption. Many solutions already exist. Sometimes in the form of old production processes that are now almost forgotten.
One company picking up old knowledge like this is Dem Collective in Sri Lanka. A very exciting story!
2 Comments
I am a big fan of used cloth stores because of this. Although they were originally made unsustainabily, at least I am giving them another use.
I am glad to hear that, and you’re not alone. It is really a strong trend right now with vintage clothing. It not only makes our society more sustainable, but it is also a great way to adopt a more unique, personal style. After all, we are Maslow creatures too