The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter globally, profoundly impacting the environment. From labor-intensive garment factories to the procurement of raw materials and the production of finished clothing, these activities not only support millions of families but also form a massive supply chain. With the rise of e-commerce, consumers have access to fashion information more directly and quickly than ever before.

Environmental Impact and Current Challenges

Over the past few decades, the rise of fast fashion has been partly driven by people's ongoing pursuit of fashion, while the expansion of e-commerce platforms has dramatically increased the speed and scope of fashion trends. Brands like Zara, H&M, and Topshop have rapidly met the market's demand for freshness and rapid change by updating their offerings from quarterly to weekly, not only changing consumption patterns but also accelerating the pace of industry development.

According to environmental organizations, the global fashion industry generates about 92 million tons of waste annually. 40% of the microfibers from the synthetic fibers was washed from laundry and end up in oceans or rivers, posing a severe threat to marine ecosystems as they are ingested by marine life and may eventually affect human health through the food chain. Additionally, the overproduction associated with fast fashion results in nearly 85% of clothing eventually ending up in landfills or incinerators each year, causing significant resource wastage and exacerbating environmental pollution. These data call for action from brands, factories, and consumers alike to collectively push the fashion industry towards a greener direction.

Promoting Slow Fashion

Contrary to the concept of fast fashion, slow fashion advocates for sustainable fashion, quality, and fair trade, emphasizing the rights of workers and the respect for the environment and animals.

Examples of Brands Practicing Slow Fashion

  • Patagonia: Known for its innovative and sustainable use of materials such as recycled wool and organic cotton, Patagonia is also praised for its "repair, reuse, recycle" program, which encourages consumers to return worn clothing, reducing waste. As part of its commitment to the environment, Patagonia pledges to donate 1% of its annual sales to the "Earth Tax," which supports the protection and restoration of the natural environment and has established the 1% For The Planet organization to fund various grassroots environmental groups. Additionally, since 2018, Patagonia has collaborated with over 150 farmers in India to promote regenerative organic agriculture, implementing strict environmental standards to restore soil, respect animal welfare, and improve farmers' livelihoods. This program has now expanded to include more than 2,200 farmers.

  • Eileen Fisher: Committed to full transparency in its supply chain, Eileen Fisher tracks and discloses every step from raw material sourcing to factory processes. The brand has established an "Open Supplier Registry (OSH)" platform that allows all stakeholders to search for supply chain information, enhancing the brand's transparency and credibility. Eileen Fisher maintains a core philosophy of mutual respect and trust among its suppliers, ensuring its products meet high ethical and environmental standards.

How Brands and Factories Can Practice Green Manufacturing

To achieve green manufacturing goals, brands and factories can adopt the following strategies to minimize their environmental footprint and enhance social responsibility:

  • Transparent Supply Chain: As a bridge between garment factories and consumers, brands should disclose their sources of raw materials, safety standards of chemicals used in manufacturing, and every step of the product from production to sales. This transparency not only helps consumers make more informed purchasing decisions but also holds every link in the supply chain accountable for environmental protection.

  • Sustainable Materials: The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) notes that about half of all textiles are made from cotton, with the fashion industry consuming about two-thirds of global cotton output, affecting the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of workers in the cotton supply chain. Opting for sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled fibers, and non-toxic dyes can significantly reduce environmental pollution. Organic cotton production does not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers, protecting soil health and reducing water pollution.

  • Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction: Implementing energy-saving technologies and shifting to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are key to reducing the carbon footprint of factories. Additionally, optimizing manufacturing processes and using energy-efficient lighting and machinery can significantly reduce energy consumption.

  • Supporting Fair Trade: Fair trade is a trading relationship based on dialogue, transparency, and mutual respect, aimed at offering fairer conditions to producers and workers at the bottom of the supply chain, ensuring their rights. The core goal of this concept is to foster an environment conducive to sustainable development while fully protecting the rights of producers, improving their livelihoods and development opportunities. Fair trade is especially crucial in the fashion industry, as exemplified by the tragic collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh in 2013, which highlighted the dire working conditions under unfair trade practices. Implementing fair trade not only ensures that raw material producers avoid exploitation akin to sweatshops but also guarantees fair treatment and reasonable compensation.

  • Machinery Upgrades and Automation: Modern automated equipment enhances production efficiency and product quality while reducing energy and material consumption. For example, automated cutting machines optimize fabric use, reducing waste; intelligent manufacturing systems monitor the production process in real time, ensuring optimal energy use and minimal waste generation.

  • These green manufacturing practices not only represent the responsibility of brands and factories towards the environment but also serve as a positive message to consumers, promoting more sustainable consumption behaviors in the fashion industry and among consumers.

What Can We Do as Consumers?

As consumers, we have significant responsibilities and influence in our daily purchasing behaviors. Here are some specific actions through which we can collectively work to protect the environment and support sustainable fashion:

  • Choose Quality and Durability: Prioritize purchasing high-quality and durable clothing. Although these products may initially cost more, they can reduce the frequency of replacements in the long run, thus decreasing overall consumption and waste. Emulating the Old Money style, which opts for minimalist styles and high-quality fabrics for long-term wear, not only showcases the timeless allure of fashion but also counters the culture of fast consumption, advocating for classic and enduring clothing choices.

  • Support Slow Fashion Brands: Opt for brands that focus on sustainable production, which typically use environmentally friendly materials, practice fair trade, and pay attention to worker welfare.

  • Be Wary of Fast Fashion Brands: Encourage consumers to consider carefully when purchasing from fast fashion brands, as these brands often have high energy consumption and environmental pollution during their production processes.

  • Support Local and Artisanal Brands: Purchasing locally produced garments not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation but also helps boost the local economy.

  • Buy Second-Hand Clothing: Buying second-hand clothing allows for the reuse of resources, reduces waste, and avoids the environmental impact associated with the production of new garments.

  • Reuse: Consider repurposing old jeans into shorts or old T-shirts into cleaning rags to maximize the use of items and spread the cost of production. According to statistics from WRAP, extending the life of clothing in the UK by just nine months can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20-30% annually, and save around 5 billion euros in resource costs.

  • Renting Services: For clothing that is seldom worn, such as attire for special occasions, consider renting instead of buying, which can significantly reduce the demand for purchases and production pressure.

  • Make Informed Choices: When shopping, check the labels on clothing to understand the materials and production locations. Opt for products that have environmental certifications.

  • Promote Recycling: Actively participate in clothing recycling programs to ensure that garments no longer needed are disposed of properly, rather than simply being thrown away.

Conclusion

The global impact of the fashion industry on the environment is an urgent issue that requires collective action. The past model of fast fashion, with its extensive consumption of natural resources and environmental pollution, is gradually losing support. Looking ahead, the fashion industry is likely to adopt methods of slow fashion and sustainable production. This includes the use of recycled materials, increased production transparency, promotion of fair trade, and improvement of working conditions. Technological innovation will be a key factor in driving this transformation. With the advancement of digital and automation technologies, such as smart manufacturing and supply chain management systems, the industry can more effectively use resources, reduce waste, and enhance production efficiency.

As an industry-leading garment machinery manufacturing, OSHIMA is also a crucial partner in promoting green manufacturing. Our digital garment machinery helps factories reduce paperwork and enhance work efficiency while ensuring the maximum use of resources during production. This not only meets environmental standards but also improves the quality and competitiveness of products.

As consumers, we have a responsibility to support sustainable fashion. By choosing environmentally friendly products, reducing the amount of purchases, supporting local and artisan brands, and participating in recycling activities, we can contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of the fashion industry. Each choice we make impacts the environment. We encourage all stakeholders—from designers to manufacturers, from consumers to policymakers—to work together to further advance the green transformation of the fashion industry.

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