Sustainable fashion practices have become increasingly important for a variety of reasons. They are a way to reduce our impact on the environment and help the planet. Some examples include Regenerative fashion, Forest-based textiles, Organic cotton, and Agriculture waste. We are also learning more about the role of technology in these practices.
Regenerative fashion
Regenerative fashion, also known as “circular fashion,” is a form of fashion that uses sustainable practices for the entire production process. This includes farming practices that restore the soil’s natural health and are not as harmful to the environment as conventional methods. Some brands, such as Christy Dawn, have already started making headway in this area.
To achieve this goal, fashion brands invest in land and partner with regenerative farms and companies. These brands include Gucci, North Face, Eileen Fisher, Vans, Patagonia, Timberland, Stella McCartney, and more. There are also a variety of small businesses that are pursuing this model.
Forest-based textiles
Forest-based textiles have long been a part of the fashion industry, but few people know their impact on the planet. Textiles such as rayon and viscose are made from wood pulp, then processed into fine filaments. Many of these fabrics come from forests that are endangered or at risk of being destroyed. These fabrics are in high demand in the fashion industry and often come from areas most threatened by deforestation.
Several initiatives are now underway to reduce the impact of fashion consumption on the environment. One is the introduction of re-sale platforms. These platforms enable people to buy and sell used clothes. Clothing left in landfills can decompose from 20 to 200 years. Meanwhile, natural fabrics deteriorate sustainability within a week to five months in the fashion industry. This prevents many of the goods in our closets from being dumped in landfills, where they would otherwise stay for decades, contributing to sustainability in the fashion industry.
Organic cotton
Organic cotton is rapidly expanding, and a growing number of brands are moving to use it to make garments. While conventional cotton represents more than 99 percent of cotton apparel sold at retail, the increasing demand for organic cotton is growing faster than the amount of traditional cotton available. Many brands are looking for new ways to support and protect this precious resource. But how do brands go about scaling their organic cotton programs?
For starters, it’s essential to consider the environmental impact of the production process. Fashion companies use a large amount of water and chemicals to make their clothes. Almost 25 percent of the world’s pesticides are used in the textile industry. These chemicals cause damage to the environment.
Agriculture waste
Many textile manufacturers are turning to agricultural waste to create new products. Instead of paying to dispose of crop residue, they can sell the trash to make extra money. According to a recent report by the Laudes Foundation, agri-waste in the South and Southeast Asian region is abundant enough to be converted into usable yarn, fabric, and fibers. This not only helps reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact but also improves the lives of farmers in rural areas. The process also helps conserve the environment, reduces water consumption, and curbs food wastage.
Currently, most agricultural waste is burned or otherwise thrown away. This leads to unintended environmental impacts. Many consumers are now looking for environmentally-friendly ways to wear clothes. While conventional textile production is still viral, many consumers are turning to a more sustainable alternative. Using agricultural waste as feedstock, manufacturers are reducing their use of petroleum and other harmful chemicals.
Refurbished clothing
Refurbished clothing is becoming a popular way to purchase clothes that still look new. As the fashion industry becomes more circular and less wasteful, it will help reduce the environmental impact. Refurbished clothing can be an alternative to buying new clothing, particularly for younger buyers.
Refurbished clothes have a lower environmental impact than new clothes, as they last longer. According to the Nordic Council of Ministers, using recycled textiles saves more than 70 million cubic meters of water annually.
Renting garments for events
Renting garments for events is one of the newest ways to make a sustainable impact in the fashion industry. It reduces waste and extends the life of garments, and it also helps the environment. As such, this trend is gaining momentum among fashion sustainability advocates.
The study recommends changes to the rental logistics to make it more eco-friendly. It even suggests that renting should go hand in hand with reselling. It also found that the most sustainable way to consume fashion is to buy fewer pieces and wear them for more extended periods. In addition, the authors recommend purchasing quality clothing instead of buying quantity.