Why is sustainable fashion important?

Sustainable fashion has become a buzzword in recent years and for good reason. The global fashion ecosystem is claimed as one of the most polluting industries in the world.

Although it’s not nearly as important as many other issues the world faces, it’s becoming a key element to how we shop for clothes and the companies putting sustainability in their strategy.

So why is sustainable fashion important? In this article, we explore the why and what steps more eco-friendly brands can take to make fashion more sustainable.

What is sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion can be defined as new clothing, footwear, and accessories that are produced and consumed in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Sustainable fashion companies are committed to minimizing the negative impact of their new clothing production and promote ethical practices and sustainability throughout their supply chains.

Sustainable fashion involves using recycled or natural fibers, making clothes with less energy and water, and reducing waste throughout the production process. A good sustainable fashion brand also aim to reduce their footprint and gas emissions by using green energy sources and producing clothes that are made to last the long run.

The most popular and iconic brand that’s been focusing on the environment for many many years is Patagonia.

What is eco-friendly fashion?

While eco-friendly fashion and sustainable fashion share similarities, there are some key differences between the two. Eco-friendly fashion generally focuses on reducing the negative impact of fashion production and fast fashion consumption and promotes the power of eco-friendly clothing.

This includes using sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or natural fibers, reducing water usage, and minimizing the use of toxic chemicals in the process.

Sustainable fashion, on the other hand, takes into account the entire lifecycle of a garment, including the social and economic impact of production on garment workers and communities, as well as the environment.

Sustainable fashion often involves implementing fair labor practices, pioneering the slow fashion movement, circular fashion, and upcycled fashion as well as using recycled materials, and reducing carbon emissions in the supply chain.

Here is a quick rundown of each:

Slow fashion: Slow fashion is a movement that promotes more mindful and sustainable practices. It focuses on creating high-quality, long-lasting garments, produced with ethical and environmentally responsible methods. Slow fashion also advocates for fair labor practices and supports local, small-scale production.

Circular fashion: Circular fashion is an approach that aims to eliminate waste and pollution by designing products with a circular life cycle. This means that products are designed to be reused, repaired, recycled, or upcycled, rather than being thrown away after use. Circular fashion also takes into account the entire life of a product, from design to disposal, and encourages a shift towards a more sustainable and regenerative system.

Upcycled fashion: Upcycling is the process of taking waste materials or products and transforming them into something new and of higher value. In the context of sustainable fashion, upcycling involves using discarded or unwanted textiles and recycled fibers, then turning them into new garments or accessories. Upcycled fashion is a way to reduce waste and promote a circular economy in the fashion industry. It can also be a creative and unique way to create new and interesting designs.

While eco-friendly fashion may be more focused on the environmental aspect of sustainability, sustainable fashion considers the broader social, economic, and entire environmental ecosystem of clothing production and consumption.

Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry

The Fashion Industry and Fast Fashion

Fashion has long been associated with glamour, creativity, and luxury. However, it is also a sector that has a huge impact on the environment, with fast fashion being a major contributor to pollution, waste, and exploitation of workers.

The fast fashion business model involves producing cheap clothes in large volumes, which are then sold at low prices and have a short life span. This has created a throwaway culture where clothes are worn a few times and then discarded. Which led to a huge increase in textile waste, with the majority of discarded clothes ending up in landfills.

Global Industrial Water Pollution and Textile Waste

The fashion industry is also a significant contributor to industrial water pollution, with textile dyeing and finishing being one of the most polluting stages of the production process. The use of toxic chemicals and large amounts of water in dyeing and finishing textiles means that polluted wastewater is discharged into rivers, streams, and oceans.

In addition to water pollution, clothing manufacturing waste is also a significant problem. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or burned every second.

Carbon Footprint and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The fashion industry is claimed to be responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions and has a large carbon use. From the production of textiles to the manufacturing of clothes and their transportation, the fashion industry relies heavily on fossil fuels rather than greener energy sources.

The use of synthetic fibers, which are derived from petrochemicals, further exacerbates this problem. According to the United Nations, the industry is responsible for a large percentage of global carbon emissions, which can possibly be reduced.

Impact on Natural Resources and the Global Climate Crisis

The production of clothes requires a significant amount of nature’s resources, including water, land, energy, and animal lives. For example, the production of conventional cotton, one of the most commonly used fibers in the industry, requires a large amount of water and often involves the use of pesticides and fertilizers. These practices have a negative impact on soil health, water quality, and biodiversity.

Furthermore, the supply chains contribution to the global climate is significant, with fashion production accounting for a large percentage of global gas emissions. This is expected to increase exponentially if business continues as usual.

Sustainable Fashion Reduces Environmental Impact

Impact on garment workers

The fast fashion industry is notorious for its exploitation of textile workers. The need to produce clothes quickly and cheaply means that workers aren’t given a living wage and work in dangerous conditions. This can lead to long working hours, low wages, and even child labor in some cases.

The rise of sustainable fashion awareness and production of eco friendly and sustainable clothing has helped to tackle some of these issues by promoting fair trade practices and ethical working conditions for workers. By supporting sustainable brands, consumers can play a vital role in ensuring that garment workers are treated fairly.

Child labor and fair wages

Another major issue within the fashion industry is the use of child labor and the lack of fair wages. Fast fashion brands often outsource their production to developing countries where labor laws are weak and unfair labor is prevalent. This isn’t acceptable in 2023 and goes against basic foundations of being a caring human.

Sustainable fashion companies, on the other hand, prioritize the welfare of their workers and ensure that they are paid a living wage. By supporting sustainable fashion, consumers can help to reduce child labor and promote fair wages for garment workers.

Hazardous chemicals and toxic waste

The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters globally, and it’s not just due to textile waste. The production of textiles involves the use of chemicals and toxic waste, which can be harmful to both the environment and human health.

Fast fashion brands are often guilty of using these harmful chemicals in their supply chain and don’t deal with waste management in the most environmentally friendly way.

Sustainable fashion brands prioritize the use of biodegradable materials, natural or recycled fibers and eco-friendly production practices. By choosing sustainable fashion, consumers can reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals and contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Animal lives and human health

The fashion industry’s impact is not limited to the environment and human labor. The use of animal-derived products, such as leather and fur, is a major concern for animal welfare advocates. The production of animal-derived materials involves the use of fossil fuels and chemicals, which can be harmful to human life as well.

Sustainable fashion companies use animal-free alternatives and prioritize eco-friendly materials, such as biodegradable and recycled materials. By choosing sustainable fashion, consumers can support animal welfare, contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet for all and create a more eco friendly wardrobe.

The Importance of Sustainable Fashion for Future Generations

As climate change continues to come up in conversation especially with sustainable development goals from the UN, it’s essential that we all take steps to reduce negative environmental impact in our daily lives and discuss ways of making fashion sustainable.

By each fashion brand making new clothes in eco friendly way with materials like organic cotton, the industry can produce ethical fashion and take steps to combat global warming and reduce greenhouse gases.

It’s also important to educate consumers about the negatives of fast fashion and the benefits of sustainable fashion and encourage them to adopt more eco-friendly consumption patterns.

Sustainable fashion matters because it reduces the environmental and social impact of the industry and culture surrounding. By trying to use eco-friendly materials and practices, sustainable fashion companies can reduce their carbon footprint and protect natural resources.

Future generations will benefit from the fashion revolution as sustainable fashion matters to us all.