Sustainability Plays a Crucial Role in Reshaping the Fashion Industry
HOW?
1. Changing the Current Status Quo
The fashion industry is currently one of the most polluting industries in the world due to its energy-intensive, labor-intensive, and water-intensive nature. It heavily relies on virgin resources which are not infinite. The economy of the fashion industry is messed up. However, sustainability can help to change this. By using materials that already exist, we can reduce our dependence on virgin resources. This would have a positive impact on the environment and reduce the carbon footprint of the industry.
2. Embracing Innovation
Encouraging sustainability drives us to innovate and create a positive impact on the planet and society. By embracing innovation, we can shift from a linear to a circular system, and eliminate overproduction, waste, and pollution. It is imperative to replace toxic textiles with eco-friendly options and toxic dyes with natural and sustainable alternatives. Therefore, innovation plays a crucial role in making our world more sustainable.
3. Introducing New Business Models
Sustainability calls for us to move away from traditional business models and instead adopt new ones such as repair, reuse, and recycling. In contrast to the linear economy, where materials move in a single direction, circular business models promote a cycle where resources are regenerated and reused. The implementation of new business models like Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, and Recycle discourages the disposal of materials in landfills and promotes a more sustainable approach to resource management.
4. Taking Responsibility
Taking responsibility for the products we own is a core principle of sustainability. It urges us to use our possessions in the most efficient way possible and to embrace a “less is more” way of life. This means that if you own an item like a pair of jeans, sustainability requires you to take full responsibility for it — from the moment you purchase it to the moment you dispose of it. This involves repairing any small holes or damages, repurposing the item if you no longer wear it, and ultimately recycling it at the end of its useful life.
5. Collaborations and Co Operations
I strongly believe that great things and positive changes can happen when people collaborate and cooperate. No individual can change the world alone; it takes collective efforts to make a meaningful impact. To create a safer environment for workers, consumers, and brands within the fashion industry, we must collaborate and work together to reimagine the entire system. It’s important to remember that we are all in this together and we must strive to achieve our common goals.
6. Digital Revolution
Digitalization is playing a crucial role in the transformation of the fashion industry. Through digitalization, we can develop more efficient, effective and productive processes and methods in the fashion industry. Imagine AR-VR trail rooms.
7. Accountability
Encouraging sustainability means that brands are responsible for the actions, decisions, products, and policies they undertake. It also means that brands and organizations must take responsibility for their social and environmental impact. However, accountability is not limited to brands; consumers who own the product are also responsible for what they do after its end use.
8. Transparency
Brands are encouraged to prioritize sustainability, which involves being transparent and communicating clearly with consumers about their impact, emissions, goals, strategies, and progress. To achieve this, most brands and organizations release an annual sustainability report which provides detailed information about the progress made in the current year and outlines their agenda for the coming years.
