Planet

‘Planet’ is one of the four pillars relating to the fashion industry, it refers to our environment and how we treat it, specifically regarding processes such as manufacturing which can cause extreme harm due to the high amount of CO2 emissions many businesses produce. Waste in the fashion industry from fast fashion and micro trends impact our planet and sustainability is needed among popular brands to make a change for our worsening ecosystems and welfare of many communities.  

In order to protect the planet from long-term problems caused by overconsumption, the circular economy is a system encouraging sustainability through its three main principles; design out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use and regenerating natural systems (Gwilt, 2014).  

The Ellen MacArthur foundation involves itself with research into the circular economy, describing it as ‘’representing a systemic shift that builds long term resilience” (2017). The CE employs a vital role in changing the fashion industry with features such as the use of nontoxic substances (fig 1) reducing the harm on the planet. 

Sustainability in fashion is a constant change to the life cycle of a garment to reduce the harm on the planet. Sustainability was at its peak during pre-industrialisation, with only natural fibres being processed through labour intensive work, giving textiles a high monetary value, therefore encouraging reusing and repairing (Hethorn, 2015). Since then, consumption has vastly increased from 2 collections annually, to up to 50, this has caused the fashion industry to be named the second most polluting industry in the world, with textiles producing 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 annually. Greenwashing describes false environmental claims of a product and is common among fast fashion brands, therefore giving consumers a false feeling that their product is sustainable whilst the companies continue to operate unsustainably while receiving profits from their false claims (Gwilt, 2014). 

In 2015, the United Nations created 17 sustainable development goals which address global challenges as a ‘blueprint to achieve a better future for all’. The SDG most relevant to the fashion industry is number 12, ‘responsible consumption and production,’ as overconsumption is a huge problem among consumers which enables brands to churn out new collections to suit micro trends.

Moreover, design and production phases can be altered in ways that create low impact on the environment, brands such as Lucy and Yak have already begun this journey with recycled fabrics and distribution methods that minimise co2 emissions, however for change to occur, more brands must act and be more responsible. 

References:

Gwilt, A (2014), A practical guide to sustainable fashion. London: Bloomsbury. 

Hethorn, J (2015). Sustainable fashion what’s next? A conversation about issues, practices and possibilities. London: Bloomsbury. 

MacArthur, E (2022). Circular economy introduction. Available at: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview 

Moran, G (2022). Drapers sustainability report. Available at: https://www.drapersonline.com/guides/collaborating-for-change-sustainability-report-2022 

United Nations (2015). The UN 17 sustainable development goals. Available at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/12/sustainable-development-goals-kick-off-with-start-of-new-year/ 

Welters, L (2015). The fashion of sustainability. Available at: https://www-bloomsburyfashioncentral-com.arts.idm.oclc.org/encyclopedia-chapter?docid=b-9781501312250&tocid=b-9781501312250-chapter1&pdfid=9781501312250.ch-001.pdf