Less is More When It Comes to Sustainability
By: Christopher Alegado
The fashion industry’s movements in the growing concern over the environment.
In a time where the environment has become a growing concern amongst other world issues, no other industry has left negative effects greater than that of the fashion industry. Fashion has long been a major contributor to the rise of global carbon emissions, with industries including apparel and footwear in 2016 accounting for 3,990 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, around 8% of all climate impacts.
Although this may sound alarming to most, there is still hope. With an introduction to sustainable methods that prove to be effective and consumers turning towards re-commerce, fashion companies now know it is necessary to implement anything possible for future growth.
Green supply chains integrate an environmental form of thinking into the production and distribution, while maximizing sustainability. Also recently, the introduction of re-commerce (as seen in the concept of consignment) and the steady rise of the resale market, have caught on to the masses; popularizing the purchase of old fabrics and garments amongst consumers.
These methods, such as the push towards greener supply chains and the introduction of re-commerce, are what is needed for the fashion industry to profit, while preserving the earth.
Manufacturers and the Move to a Green Supply Chain
A greener supply chain is a vital asset that should be looked into further detail by the fashion industry. In this case, it is a push away from the standard of “fast fashion” and the rapid manufacturing of clothing seen in many retail chains. To combat this, companies should utilize a model that stresses the importance of “less is more”, as well as the integration of ethical practices, while being more transparent with their consumers.
Take for example the model that designer Stella McCartney uses for her eco-friendly line. These include the heavier emphasis on natural alternatives to common fabrics used within the industry. McCartney utilizes sustainable fabrics and abstains from the traditional methods the industry has used. Normally, the industry consumes too many resources and harms the surrounding environments of their production.
Another brand that is trying to showcase a deeper sense of sustainability is Noah NYC, a streetwear brand gaining attention over the past five years. Noah’s vision, as stated by their founder Brandon Babazien, is to create pieces that are made to endure the test of time.
“Based on quality not trends and produced in sweatshop-free factories with fair wage”
These designers are doing what the industry needs to convey the most: transparency. Being transparent about the way their brands manufacture products and their practices shows to consumers that the industry is doing something to make up for their past mistakes and also encourages them to invest in products that focus on quality, not quantity.
Likewise, larger textile companies have started to learn from these smaller brand names and step forward with this way of thinking as well. TAL, a garment factory that manufacturers in Malaysia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, is trying to motivate other textile manufacturers to invest in a better and sustainable practice. CEO of TAL, Roger Lee, expects the industry to have fewer big manufacturers in the future to reduce the need for smaller companies. If these larger manufactures implement circular supply chains, smaller ones will disappear and integrate within them; thus decreasing the waste from their combined production.
Producing less starts by innovating new ways of staying sustainable. Whether it be choosing an environmentally conscious method or eliminating a segment that uses too much resources, the fashion industry might be able to change their previous ways to accommodate future generations. As we can see from these two examples, greener supply chains have a tremendous amount of application within a brand and should be quickly adapted into every textile industry’s method of producing.
The Re-commerce and Second Hand Consignment Markets
Although big companies are primarily the source of mass production, it is also in part the consumers who give into their new rapidly produced products, continuing to enable their heavily wasteful practice. Some methods we have begun using to combat this urge of consumption centre around one key aspect — the mentality of reusing. Important aspects laid out for the main ideas within the textile industry for 2021, include the increased purchasing of items in regards to longevity, value and stable design.
Reusable products have increased in value these days and if companies are looking to spike consumer interest, they need to think greener.
With these in mind, the future for affordable luxury begins with pieces that go beyond a trend. One way consumers can begin to part ways with the conventional culture of “more” is looking towards consignment and resale. The concept behind these solutions is simple: consumers buy lightly worn/old garments, rather than buying new ones. Stores have begun benefitting with this idea of re-commerce as a way to encourage shoppers into buying back “archive” clothes, in hopes of extending its life.
One such online site called Grailed, has been taking part in the resale market boom for well over 5 years since its creation. Through competition has increased with many online sellers who focus their business on the sustainability of re-using previously worn garments, Grailed has been able to tap into this “re-commerce” market within male consumers that is expected to continue its substantial growth rate from $18billion in 2016 to $33billion by 2021.
Likewise, this notion of re-commerce is proving to be the next big market that companies need to pay attention to. Male and female consumer alike need to begin looking into products that are guaranteed to last; a far cry from the previous notion of fast fashion they are accustomed to.
Conclusion
With the deadline closing in for the UN’s goal of keeping the climate at a certain degree, it is now up to us to help bring in the textile waste situation to a close. Greener supply chains, along with a sense of transparency, and the introduction of re-commerce and the mentality that less is better can go a long way when it comes to fixing old mistakes.
If we put these ideas into action, we should be able to help big fashion brands and companies move forward with their environmentally conscious stance and usher in a brighter and more eco-friendly future for us all.
