PLANET- how over-consumption is destroying it
When attempting to pinpoint and distribute responsibility in regards to creating a sustainable future the Fashion Business sectors have created 4 distinct pillars. One being that surrounding the Planet. It is adequate to say that the fashion industry and the mass production and consumption of clothes is having the most catastrophic and irreversible effects on the planet. These types of conventional production practices can result in soil erosion and degradation, water contamination, and other forms of pollution. And with 85% of all textiles go to the dump each year (UNECE, 2018) it is now our responsibility to save our planet.
This ‘responsibility’, I believe, must come from a change in mindset to a more anti-consumptionism outlook, this socio-political ideology is an opposition to consumerism. We’ve seen a sore in consumption with people buying 60% more garments in 2014 than in 2000 (McKinsey & Company, 2016). This is due to the demand and unspoken obligation young girls and women feel not to repeat an #outfitoftheday. Controversial fast fashion brand PrettyLittleThing can launch as many as 200 product lines in just one week (EDITED 2022).If constant demand for the next trending item of clothing decreases then pressure would mitigate from brands to over produce new items each day.
Recent statistics from Children’s fashion brand FIVE OF US revealed that of the 32 billion garments produced for the fashion industry each year, a whopping 64% will end up in landfill.
As a result of this continual damage to the planet The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption is one I believe the fashion industry can have the biggest impact through reducing the overproduction of clothes and instead make a smaller volume of garments that meet demands while preventing waste. For the industry to make this change, brands and consumers have to work together. Over 80 billion fashion garments are purchased every year, working out at an average of 68 items per person. Greenpeace has estimated that 20% of clothing that we purchase isn’t even worn once, with the average wear of each product being as little as four times. A ‘slow fashion’ approach should be encouraged which includes a better design process- which results in higher reusability, better materials- therefore lasts longer and doesn’t emit harmful fumes during the making process and finally better working practices (Gwilt Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 2020).
Finally a Circular economy approach, can benefit the planet as whole as its aim being to ensure the minimal production of waste, shift our current consumer mindset, and ultimately, cultivate a balanced economy (Conde Nast glossary, 2020)