Sustainability

6 Explanations of How Sustainable Fashion Healthier for Our Planet

By admin
On July 26, 2023

Dear our planet…

With so many problems going on these days, climate change, deforestation, plastic pollution, loss of coral reefs & biodiversity, water scarcity, just to name a few, the fashion industry is not necessarily top of mind for most people as either a problem or solution. Unfortunately, we have got some bad news, that the clothing industry is dirty and a significant contributor to environmental & human damage. Good news is that sustainable fashion addresses many of these issues in ways you may not expect. Sustainable fashion brands create fashion in a way which is most considerate of humanity and the environment, reducing the environmental impact wherever possible. The ultimate goal is to have a system which works without leaving a negative footprint. This 6 things will explained how sustainable fashion healthier our planet.

1.REDUCES CARBON FOOTPRINT

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of carbon emissions worldwide. That’s more than international flights and maritime shipping combined altogether. Approximately 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon emissions are attributed to fast fashion. Sustainable brands use natural materials that take fewer resources to produce, lowering the carbon footprint. It doesn’t just end there, by producing locally, you can drastically reduce your carbon footprint by not having items shipped from overseas.

2.SAVES ANIMAL LIVES

This may not be news for you, but the fashion industry loves to kill for fashion. A common misconception is that leather for instance, is a by product of the meat industry. However, this is not always the case. It’s estimated that the leather industry alone is slaughtering and killing over 430 million animals per year.

Sustainable fashion brands have started to increasingly embrace the use of cruelty-free alternatives, and there’s one for nearly every piece of fashion materials polyester made with trash from the oceans, bags created from recycled seatbelts, plant-based compostable sneakers, silk created from yeast, and bio-fabricated vegan wool. But one of the most demanded leather alternatives these days comes from pineapples. The fabric is produced using the leaves of pineapples in the harvesting process, giving by product waste a new purpose.

3.USED LESS WATER

Did you know it takes 700 gallons of water to make ONE t-shirt? That’s how much water we drink over 3 years.

Cotton in particular is highly dependent on water, but is usually grown in hot and dry areas where water is a scarce resource already. By contrast, organic cotton reduces water consumption by 91%as opposed to conventional cotton. However, only 1% of global cotton production to date is organic. This is mainly due to the much higher cost of non-GMO seeds, which often require additional investments into materials & machinery, which farmers only use for their organically grown crop.

4.SUPPORTS FAIRER & SAFER WORKING

Believe it or not, but modern day slavery does exist. Minimum wages (if at all), endless working hours, unacceptable health & safety conditions and the prohibition of workers unions is what reality for most garment workers in the fast fashion sector looks like. Some textile workers get paid ONLY about USD 26/month in Ethiopia, with no rules or regulations protecting their rights and well-being. Moreover, verbal and physical abuse are still common practise in many parts of the industry. A few informative documentaries exist on the social injustices of the fast fashion industry.

Eco-ethical brands advocate for providing humane working conditions, health care and fair wages for their workers, which are typically above average. Generally, they show a larger purpose towards creating economic opportunities for those in need to end poverty. We all want to feel great about our clothes, and that includes feeling great about knowing under what conditions they were made. The well-being of people involved are just as valuable as the environment and animals, don’t you think?

5.SUPPORTS LOCAL ECONOMIES

The fashion industry has typically been focused on global production, but sustainable fashion brands are working to change that by manufacturing locally. This helps to support local economies and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

6.CREATES JOB

The sustainable fashion industry is creating new jobs in a variety of sectors, from agriculture to manufacturing to retail. This is good news for the economy and the environment, as sustainable brands are working to reduce their impact on the planet.

For a better world, starts from a better fashion…

The fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment and human health. Sustainable fashion is a growing movement that is working to address these issues in a variety of ways. It’s not just about being stylish; it’s about supporting a movement that is working to make a positive impact on the planet. When you choose to buy from an ethical fashion brand, you are voting with your dollars for a better future.

References: