According to the "Fashion on Climate" report published in 2020, the textile industry currently produces an incredible 2.1 billion tons of CO2 per year. If no radical measures are taken to counteract the current trend, this figure is expected to rise to over 2.7 billion tons by 2030. In order to meet the 1.5-degree target, according to the report, the industry must change drastically: savings of around 50% - or around 1.1 billion tons - are necessary by 2030.
This can only be achieved through a consistent rethink towards sustainable fashion. Various initiatives with ideas that give hope show what this sustainable fashion industry could look like in concrete terms.
1. Circular Fashion – A cycle for clothing
In order to make clothing consumption more sustainable, the main thing is to wear clothes for as long as possible. But the sustainable fashion industry is also thinking about what happens “afterwards”. The Cradle 2 Cradle approach is committed to creating a cycle for clothing in which raw materials such as cotton fibers can be reused. By using pure materials such as 100% cotton, recycling can be made easier - and clothes that are no longer usable can be turned into new favorites. The Cradle 2 Cradle approach thus counteracts the high emissions of the fashion industry, which is responsible for more emissions than Germany, France and Great Britain combined.
2. Recycled materials – the future of sustainable fashion?
In order to make the clothing industry more ecologically and socially compatible, the choice of materials is a key aspect. When it comes to sustainable and fashion traceability software, producers are operating in an exciting field between tradition and innovation. The use of recycled materials such as plastic or PET has become particularly established, but scepticism is advised here: While the use of PET bottles sounds sensible to consumers, it removes the PET bottles from their cycle in the food industry. Instead, the European Commission is encouraging companies to focus their efforts on fibre-to-fibre recycling, i.e. obtaining polyester from polyester fibres that have already been used. However, the criticism that synthetic textiles continue to release microplastics during their life cycle still remains here.
3. Sustainable fashion through renewable raw materials
The search for materials that are as environmentally friendly as possible is not only ensuring that numerous producers are trying to make the cultivation of cotton or linen more sustainable. New fibres are also increasingly making their way into the sustainable fashion universe. These include TENCEL™, a fibre that is industrially produced from beech pulp. This advanced form of viscose is particularly soft, durable and breathable, while also being biodegradable. The only thing that has so far hindered its triumph is the price of the material. But we are convinced that sustainable fashion can only work if durability and quality outweigh a low purchase price as a purchasing argument.
4. Increasing GOTS certifications
In order to guarantee our customers that SALZWASSER pieces are manufactured, packaged, traded and distributed in an ecologically and socially sustainable manner, we rely on certification through the GOTS seal. We are not alone in this: The world's leading textile standard ended 2021 with a record number of 12,338 GOTS-certified companies, 19% more than the previous year. In addition, around 75% of all GOTS-certified companies stated that they had been able to increase their sales after certification. In July 2022, documents containing important information regarding the traceability and transparency of GOTS goods were further optimized.
5. Sustainable Fashion by Law
In April last year, the EU Commission published a draft for a "Sustainable Products Initiative" (SPI), which could ban fast fashion as early as 2030. The draft law includes criteria such as emissions, working conditions, recyclability or repairability, and is intended to significantly increase the proportion of recycled clothing (previously only one percent) by 2030. The EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles describes a near future in which fast fashion is out of fashion and economically viable reuse and repair services are widespread. In addition, manufacturers would take responsibility for their products along the entire value chain and the circular economy ecosystem for textiles would flourish. In addition,
in June 2021 the Federal Council approved the so-called Supply Chain Act, which is intended to guarantee compliance with human rights along the entire supply chain. Companies would be forced, for example, to check the entire supply chain - from raw materials to the finished product for sale. There would also be controls by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control.
6. New image for second-hand
“Second hand” has long since been able to shake off its dingy image. Instead, hipster-esque second-hand shops are springing up like mushrooms even in the big shopping malls, and thrift shopping seems to have become the new trend hobby. Many fashion enthusiasts are now also looking for second-hand clothing online: In August 2022 alone, the largest German platform for second-hand fashion, vinted, recorded 9.4 million visits.
7. Nearshoring changes supply chains
Nearshoring is the latest offshoring trend. Parts of the supply chain are being moved closer to consumers, often closer to Europe. What initially sounds like a sustainable development due to reduced delivery routes is actually economically motivated for many companies. By nearshoring in countries like Turkey, production costs can still be kept low and shipping costs can also be reduced. In addition, the shorter shipping times ensure that trendy items reach consumers even faster - an important factor at a time when social media determines trends. Last but not least, the pandemic also makes it clear how advantageous it is to have short delivery routes and not to be dependent on the stability of a far-away country.
8. Rent instead of buy
Borrowing is the new having. That is the motto of a growing number of start-ups, which usually come in the form of fancy apps and have borrowing - or in their jargon "leasing" - as part of their business model. Customers have the chosen clothing sent to their home and simply send it back after a certain period of time, after which the items go to the next person. What sounds like the perfect model for a society with such a strong need for new things, however, has its downsides: Researchers at the Finnish LUT University found that borrowing a fashion traceability platform is much more harmful to the environment than previously thought due to shipping and reprocessing. While borrowing clothes for special occasions can make sense, it should not become part of everyday life. Ultimately, the researchers say, the best solution to reduce emissions is simply to own less.
Conclusion:
The fashion industry, historically a major contributor to environmental degradation, is undergoing a critical transformation. The shift towards sustainable fashion, driven by consumer awareness, regulatory pressures, and innovative initiatives, offers a promising path for a more sustainable future.
The strategies outlined in the article, including circular fashion, recycled materials, renewable resources, certifications, and supply chain reforms, are essential steps in mitigating the industry's environmental impact. By prioritizing durability, quality, and ethical production, consumers can play a significant role in driving this change.