Anya Hawkins's blog : How the Fashion World Is Becoming Friendlier to the Planet

In recent years, there have been some shocking revelations about the fashion industry's impact on the environment. Statistics regarding the amount of waste produced, water used, and materials have made designers and fashion houses worldwide think twice about their processes. With any type of overconsumption, there are always consequences. The consequences are indeed the worst-case scenario for the planet regarding fast fashion. So what steps have brands and designers taken to change this?

Packaging

Many companies are now opting for packaging materials that can be compostable or recyclable: the more companies that adopt this, the better. As we try to reduce single-use plastics in our everyday lives, it can be distressing to receive an unnecessarily packaged parcel full of materials that you know will take hundreds of years to decompose. Many new packaging materials are waiting to be adopted and discovered by the mainstream, such as compostable bags, Green Cell Foam, and even mushroom-based products that can be used as an alternative to styrofoam.

Processes

The processes of the fashion industry are vast. You may not consider this when browsing online and waiting for your delivery, but the steps in between can significantly impact the world. A brand needs to go through multiple steps to get a product online. There needs to be a photoshoot so you can see the product, testing of the product so that you can have the correct details about how to care for it/wash it, the uploading of those details to the web, the picking and packing of the product, and then the delivery. Each step has multiple features that impact the environment, such as fossil fuel usage and material waste. These steps take place even after the product has been produced. Brands have been looking at these steps in more detail and taking action to reduce the impact on the environment. Small changes such as hiring more local models for fashion shoots reduce the travel impact of flying a model in from a different country, for example, or even using mannequins and photo editing instead of using a model at all. The warehouse or picking and packing side of the industry are where the more extensive processes come into play, and there are many ways to make this process more eco friendly. Having insulated warehouses that use solar panels is a significant step.

Materials

Textile waste is a massive problem for the environment. With clothing becoming viewed as disposable, the world is adding to more landfills than ever before in human history. The demand for fast, cheap clothing means using materials that also have a quick turnaround in terms of production. The market for fast fashion is where fabrics such as polyester became used so prevalently in our clothing. More brands are opting to slow down their processes and think about the materials they're using. The innovations in materials are exciting, and designers have started to opt for fabrics made from natural inspiration, such as banana peel and hemp. Organic cotton has always been a great option. You can find almost everything you need in these caring fabrics, from organic kids clothes to tencel/lyocell dresses.

Online Innovation

Lots of brands are trying to find ways to reduce their returns processes. Returns can be costly for companies and very damaging to the environment due to packaging and fuel. Online innovation such as augmented reality for trying on clothes is a great way to make sure a product is right for you online and reduce the risk of making a return. Having very clear product information is also necessary to reduce returns and ensure that customers are happy with their purchases. Not only is that good from an environmental standpoint, but it also makes sure the customer is confident with what they are buying.

During the global pandemic of the early 2020s, many companies ran their fashion shows virtually or entirely online and saw that engagement was still high. This online world is something that some brands are encouraging others to continue with, along with online conferences and meetings, instead of having people flying worldwide to meet and view the catwalks.