You have probably heard the term sustainable fashion, which is becoming more and more popular among consumers and entrepreneurs, since the textile sector has a great impact on the environment. Not surprisingly, more and more brands are committing to sustainability in fashion. But, how can your enterprise reach sustainability? Even more important, what is sustainable fashion? In this article, we will give you a detailed explanation of ‘ecofriendly’ fashion and clothing.
What does sustainable fashion mean?
Sustainability in fashion encompasses a set of practices in the design, manufacture and consumption of fashion that are respectful of the environment and all those who work in the textile industry.
For example, hundreds of litres of water and chemical agents are used to manufacture jeans alone. Throughout the production process in the textile industry, various environmental impacts are generated, and all the links in the production chain generate their ecological footprint and environmental impact.
Therefore, the first step in implementing this new concept of sustainable fashion must be to carry out a product life cycle analysis, in order to determine which phases have the greatest negative impact on the ecosystem and to focus our sustainable actions on those elements with the greatest pollutant load. Only on the basis of this premise can a textile system based on the production of sustainable clothing be implemented.
Considering this scenario, we at Kaeltia are committed to providing global solutions that have a positive impact on the environment, thanks to our eco-design solutions services for companies. In each of the projects we evaluate, we transcend conventional limits, betting on the implementation of cleaner and more environmentally friendly production processes.
How is sustainable fashion produced? Sustainable materials
According to statistics, 35% of the microplastics found in the sea come from washing machines water. This means that, unlike sustainable clothing, traditional clothing materials have a high environmental impact, unlike sustainable clothing.
Thanks to its manufacturing process, sustainable clothing is produced using vegetable fibres, in a completely natural way, with vegetable fibres and cotton that have been cultivated under organic farming techniques. This means that during the process no pesticides or any other chemical that could make these garments harmful to the environment, have been used.
That is, sustainable materials such as linen, cotton or other types of eco-friendly fabrics bring a wealth of benefits, both for the people who use them and for taking a further step towards conscious development in the textile and clothing industry.
What does it take to be a sustainable fashion company?
Consumer demand for sustainable fashion companies is a growing trend. As a result, more and more companies in the Spanish fashion sector are opting for sustainability in their products. In order to demonstrate this ‘authenticity’ in their materials, they have introduced labels that classify clothing as environmentally friendly, which are known as ‘sustainability’ labels.
But we must go further, and look at other elements that can be found in each garment, such as the place of manufacture and the sustainability of materials. For this, there are a series of relevant certificates that, as a company of the textile sector, it is necessary to take into account:
Oeko-Tex:
It has different standards and levels. One of the best known is the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which guarantees that textile products are free of substances harmful to health.
GOTS:
It is a standard for organic fibres that takes into account both ecological and social criteria. It ensures that a fabric has been created in an environmentally friendly way and with respect for workers’ rights. The standard covers the entire production process, from textile manufacturing to labelling.
FairTrade Cotton:
This certificate identifies garments composed of 100% traceable and fair trade cotton, as well asmulti-fibre garments composed of at least 50% cotton.
For its part, the European Commission (EC) notes that “companies are increasingly responsible for the environmental and social impacts of their processes or supply chains, including inefficient use of resources, loss of biodiversity, risks to workers’ health and safety, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and damage to health and the environment, coming from the use of hazardous materials”.
Trends and choices: embracing sustainable clothing for a responsible future
As we have seen, sustainable fashion involves not only the choice of environmentally friendly materials, but also the adoption of responsible design, manufacturing and consumption practices. In this context, services such as those offered by Kaeltia become indispensable allies in this mission. By integrating sustainable strategies into all aspects of the textile industry, we can help to establish sustainable businesses that are committed to build a world where elegance and environmental responsibility, can coexist.
