7 REASONS WHY SUSTAINABLE FASHION IS IMPORTANT

 WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION?

Sustainable fashion brands create fashion in a way that takes people and the environment most into account and reduces environmental impact wherever possible. The ultimate goal is to have a system that works without leaving a negative footprint.

1. SUSTAINABLE FASHION CONSERVES NATURAL RESOURCES

A 2015 study shows that 97% of garment manufacturing production is new resources and only 3% is recycled materials. This is on top of an annual resource use of 98 million tons, including oil to make synthetic fibers, fertilizers for growing cotton, and an endless list of chemicals used to dye and refine fabrics.

2. SUSTAINABLE FASHION SUPPORTS SAFER AND FAIR WORKING CONDITIONS

Believe it or not, modern slavery does exist. Minimum wages (if any), endless working hours, unacceptable health and safety conditions and a ban on labor unions are a reality for most textile workers in the fast fashion industry. In addition, verbal and physical abuse remain a common practice in many parts of the industry. There is some informative documentary about the social injustices of the fast fashion industry. For more information, see "The Real Cost" or "Undercover Fashion Factories".

Eco-ethical brands advocate decent working conditions, health care and fair wages for their employees, which are usually above average. In general, they show a broader purpose of creating economic opportunity for those who need to end poverty. We all want to feel comfortable with our clothes, and that includes feeling good when we know the condition in which they were made. The wellbeing of the people involved is just as valuable as the environment and animals, don't you think?

3. SUSTAINABLE FASHION REDUCES YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

The global fashion industry emits large amounts of greenhouse gases every year and thus makes a massive and active contribution to global warming. Part of the reason is that the vast majority of our beloved clothing items are petroleum based and made from fossil fuels like polyester, acrylic, and nylon (check your clothing labels, you'll be surprised). In the manufacturing phase, these materials require significantly more energy than natural or recycled fibers.

Sustainable brands, on the other hand, often use natural or recycled fabric materials that require significantly less or no chemical treatment, little water, less energy and no fertilizers or pesticides to grow. Most organic fabrics such as linen, hemp and organic cotton are even biodegradable. These environmentally friendly fabrics are kind to the planet and are amazingly sustainable alternatives.

4. SUSTAINABLE FASHION DOES NOT SUPPORT CHILD LABOR

According to current UNICEF statistics, around 170 million children are engaged in some type of clothing manufacturers work, which is defined as "" work that the child is too young for - work that is done below the required minimum age - or work that is harmful because of its Nature or conditions, it is considered unacceptable to children and is forbidden”. This is a massive red flag and the notion of children being sent to factories and doing a job similar to modern slavery to suit the fashion demands of the western world is simply unacceptable.

 5. SUSTAINABLE FASHION SAVES ANIMAL LIFE

This may not be new to you, but the fashion industry loves to kill for fashion. A common misconception is that leather, for example, is a by-product of the meat industry. However, this is not always the case. It is estimated that the leather industry alone slaughters and kills more than 430 million animals annually.

Sustainable fashion brands are increasingly relying on cruelty-free alternatives, and there is one for almost every fashion material: polyester made from garbage from the oceans (sounds familiar, doesn't it?), Bags made from recycled seat belts. Plant-based, compostable sneakers, yeast silk and organic vegan wool. But one of the most popular leather alternatives these days comes from the pineapple. The cloth is made from pineapple leaves in the harvesting process and gives the waste by-products a new purpose.

6. SUSTAINABLE FASHION IS HEALTHIER FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET

Fast fashion items often go through a long and intensive chemical process before they land on our hangers. Around 8,000 different synthetic chemicals are used to dye, bleach and wet process clothing. These chemicals often cause disease or death in farmers and cause serious birth defects in their children.

Sustainable clothing manufacturers that follow genuinely ethical and sustainable practices are transparent about this and provide details about the factory, working conditions and manufacturing process.

7. SUSTAINABLE FASHION TEACHES US TO LOVE OUR CLOTHES AGAIN

It's so easy to look at a beautiful finished garment in a store and forget that there is a story and a life cycle. The truth is, we are aloof because the industry encourages us to. However, there is hope that knowing all the drawbacks of this industry will lead to more conscious consumption. One that is kind to the planet, animals and people.