Fashion industry, a popular industry that involves designing clothes, accessories, and other fashion-related products, has a significant effect on the environment and ethics and this fact is not so popular among all the members of this industry. It affects earth right from the extraction of the raw materials right to the disposal of those unwanted pieces of clothing. But, in the recent past decades, there has been an upsurge in awareness of sustainability and ethical fashion.
This paper discusses the concept of material sourcing, which is centrally important in the framework of sustainable fashion consumption. The type of the fabric has a potential of influencing the use of the environment in the production of the garment. Natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and leather sometimes involve the use of many resources and are unfriendly to the environment. Consequently, markets’ needs for environmentally friendly and sustainable products are increasing day by day slowly.
By the end of this article readers will have gathered more or less a wide understanding of material sourcing and sustainability with regard to the clothing trade. First we will talk about the consequences of using conventional materials and then we will examine why and how sustainable materials are emerging as a burgeoning sector and what the difficulties and possibilities are concerning promoting sustainable fashion. Finally, the consumer and brand involvement will also be discussed with relevance to the change being sought in the industry.
Understanding the Environmental Impact of Fashion
Today the fashion industry alone stands as one of the worst polluters globally. Starting from the extraction of the basic fabric materials and right up to the final disposal of unwanted wears, fashion is very alarming to the environment. Some of the key environmental impacts of the fashion industry include:
- Water Pollution: It is also proved that the textile industry is one of the main offenders when it comes to water pollution as the process of dyeing and finishing require an abundant amount of water.
- Chemical Pollution: Some of the chemicals used in the process of making fabrics are toxic and they accumulate in water bodies, and the soil.
- Landfill Waste: The fast fashion Industry releases large volumes of textile wastes which are disposed of in the landfills .
- Carbon Emissions: Transportation as well as production of clothing has a role to play in the emission of greenhouse gases.
To remedy such problems, there is a necessity for the fashion industry to embrace better mechanisms.
The Importance of Sustainable Material Sourcing
It can be said that ‘conscious sourcing’ has the potential to serve as the initial revolution to the sustainable fashion movement. Consumers have come to expect products that are sustainable and those are achieved if brands focus on sourcing sustainably and fairly. Some of the most sustainable materials include:
- Organic Cotton: Organic cotton is not produced by the use of pesticides and fertilizers making it better for the environment.
- Recycled Polyester: The fabric is made from recycled polyester which means that plastic bottles end up in the manufacture of fabric and not the environment. Examples of recycled sewing thread include trilobal polyester thread among others.
- Tencel: Typically, the fabric Tencel is created from the wood pulp that is renewable in nature.
- Hemp: Natural fiber hemp is durable, easy to process, can be used widely, and consumes less water and pesticides in its cultivation.
- Linen: Linen fabric material is one made from natural materials which are biodegradable and it is hypoallergenic.
Good Workplace Relations, Human Rights & Discriminations.
Industrial relations are important because they create a healthy working environment at the workplace. It refers to improving the relations between the employees and employers, increasing communication between them and conflict solving. Effective workplace relations guarantee the employees high morale, improves productivity and increases the overall satisfaction of the employees.
- Human Rights
Human rights are rights which have been considered inherent to all humans globally, acculturated, gendered, religious or complexed by any status at all. As applied to the workplace, human rights encompass equal treatment and equal opportunities in the job place, adequate job safety and freedom from discrimination. They are as follows: Employers have a responsibility to respect, support, and promote these rights and equality in the workplace.
2. Discrimination
Discrimination is a situation where some people are treated in a certain way or given something because of their colour, sex, age, religion or disability or are denied something they need because of the above factors. Practices of discrimination involve such practices as harassment, bullying and still, there is unequal treatment. This is an essential quest to make every employee in an organization to be treated equally regardless of the color, gender or disability among them.
The Role of Technology in Sustainable Fashion
There is a clear trend of employing technology to solutions towards making the fashion industry eco-friendly. Products like 3D printing modification, the implementation of digital designs into its manufacturing processes, and artificial intelligence have made a mark in its trend toward saving on the waste that is produced.
- 3D Printing: 3D printing makes it easy to develop individualized clothes that do not require any kind of assembly line formation or large scale production, therefore cutting down on expensive energy sources.
- Digital Design: Digital prototypes save physical samples and materials through using digital tools in the design process by an architect.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI is applied to rationalise supply chain, to prognosticate trends and to minimise overstocking.
The Future of Sustainable Fashion
The outlook on sustainable fashion is optimistic, ever rising customer consciousness, and advances in sustainable practices by fashion companies. As technology continues to advance and consumer demand for ethical and sustainable fashion grows, we can expect to see further developments in:
- Circular Fashion: Circular fashion model revolves around decreasing fashion waste or the use of an independent product life cycle approach of reuse called reusing.
- Sustainable Materials: The advancement and incorporation of new sustainable fabrics like recycled polyester, organic cotton and plant based fabrics.
- Transparent Supply Chains: Transparency of supply chain for maintenance of right standards ranging from procurement, processing, and distribution of products and services.
- Consumer Education: Creating awareness with the consumers regarding the environmental and social cost of the clothes they wear.
- Collaborative Partnerships: Branded partnerships, collaborations between artists and consumers, and other strategies that would stimulate environmental change.
Together? It means that we will make the fashion sector more sustainable, fair for all and beneficial for people and the planet.
Thus, fashion sustainability will help the fashion industry to build the future that is suitable for both people and our planet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that the fashion industry has negative effects on the environment. But, while focusing on the sustainable materials and non-harmful practices, the future of fashion can be that much better. Consumers can make a choice by selecting environmentally- friendly materials, avoiding unnecessary packaging and purchasing from such firms.
So we, consumers, have the option to change the practices of fashion companies by putting pressure on them by asking for changes. This way, we ensure that through smart decisions and backing the right brands, the industry is compelled to become better.
Finally, the future of fashion is about moderation. Through the interconnection of beauty, sustainability and ethics we can build up a better fashion industry system.
