Every day, brands are innovating new ways to make fashion more ethical, and consumers are starting to expect it, too. Still, most brands struggle when sourcing for more environmentally-friendly factories and suppliers.
In order to lower their impact, some big brands are even chasing carbon neutrality. Yet, all businesses can make better changes, no matter what size. Right at the baseline, there are three dimensions of sustainability that need to be addressed: the planet, the people, and, naturally, your profit.
It’s just critical to understand what makes a fashion brand sustainable, and why you are doing it in the first place. This approach to developing a more respectful production line starts with finding the right conscious manufacturer. So, first things first: how do you know your manufacturer is actually green? Keep reading to get your answers.
How do you know your manufacturer is green?
You will find that people who are truly passionate about sustainability will be proud to tell you all about their methods, and eager to show you their manufacturing facilities.
Preferably pick manufacturers that have the highest environmental and social standards, that use more climate-friendly technologies and more conscious processes. Certifications go along with that, giving manufacturers credibility. So, get informed, identify certified producers, and ask your supplier questions, as it can help your choice of eco-friendly fabrics and factories.
Once your products are finished, CO2 emissions are inevitable in distribution. However, bearing in mind that the least carbon-intensive option is the one that has traveled the fewest miles, companies can take measures towards minimizing this impact. If you are in Europe, why not give preference to European producers? When your supply chain is in the same continent as you, it automatically reduces your shipping.
Next, we will show you the five fundamental steps for brands to create a more environmentally-conscious fashion landscape.
1 - Choose certified materials
Ask yourself: where are your fibers and fabrics coming from? Who is making your product? Are you using ecological textiles? One way to ensure your materials are sustainable is to look out for recognized certifications, such as OEKO-TEX or Global Recycled Standard.
If you’re unsure if a certificate is genuine, or you don’t know what to look out for, you can contact specialized consultants directly. Assuming you want to operate ethically, you will definitely want to work with a trusted factory, so you should begin with extensive research and planning.
2 - Get to know your supply chain
From sourcing the raw materials, to the factories where those are made into garments, be active and go see for yourself! Try to work with factories that care for their workers. We recommend you visit the facilities in person to get involved, and figure out their working hours, safety, fair wages, child labor free practices diversity, inclusion, and more.
If you can’t visit the factory yourself, you can arrange for independent audits to take place. There are certain standards that indicate positive production methods as well as good practices which will certainly help you consider.
3 - Inspire consumers’ laundry habits
Today's customers want to purchase from a business that aligns with their values. In that order of thought, retailers and brands also have a responsibility to raise consumer awareness. Present them with planet-friendly tips, or instruct them on the care symbols on the labels.
While higher quality often means less waste, and long-lasting pieces, you can also promote air-dry, cold cycles, zero waste laundry detergents, or hand wash rather than machine wash. If something does get stained or damaged, encourage your customers to fix it. You can even use these Fashion Revolution how-to resources.
4 - Consider the afterlife of your product
You will want to keep your brand sustainable from start to finish. So, did you know that the environmental impact can be reduced through textile design techniques? Designers can choose to make greener products with responsible materials that leave less pollution when discarded.
The design stage is where details of fabrics, trims, or finishes are established, so think ahead of how the materials you select will affect the environment even when they no longer serve your buyer. Where will they go? Can they be recycled? Could you prolong the product’s lifespan?
5 - Be transparent, stop Greenwashing
Sustainability has become the buzzword in the textiles and fashion industry. It has also set off a lot of greenwashing, so companies must provide transparency beyond the surface level. Yet, with transparency comes the need for corporate integrity, social responsibility, and specific, traceable claims.
Adopting technological innovations such as blockchain provides a verifiable record as to who buys what from whom. That means that sustainable claims can be checked and verified as so. The ability for brands to trace every step of the value chain will enable slow fashion brands, and other retailers, to adopt more sustainable end-to-end models.
Wrap up: whether you are trying to reduce your brand’s footprint or are planning to become a sustainable fashion designer, this commitment is a big step forward to put what matters to you into your work.
