By: Ava Smith
Photo from: Fashion for Good
Sustainability has been a key issue in fashion over the past decade, particularly when investigating fast fashion brands, where low prices come at a huge cost for the climate. The fashion industry is at fault for 10% of global greenhouse gas emission and is the second global pollution source of local freshwater sources. Fashion is the world's third largest industry, and if it continues to produce clothing without considering the horrific impacts,the greenhouse gas emissions will double by 2030. Fortunately, there are up-and-coming sustainable alternatives to every-day products.
In many elementary art classes, children sprinkle glitter constantly and the minuscule glitter particles remain on the hair, floor, and hands. Glitter is a one-time use product derived from microplastics, yet the impacts of it last decades as glitter takes 1,000 years to completely biodegrade. Additionally, the more pressing issue with glitter is the petroleum used to produce it. Petroleum is a fossil fuel, and as a fossil fuel, pollutes the environment, and heats the oceans. BioGlitz is a company geared toward the sustainable production of glitter. BioGlitz creates glitter from eucalyptus plants pressed into a thin layer and 0.1 aluminum to make a shine. BioGlitz manufactures a variety of colors, all of which are biodegradable. Ultimately, BioGlitz offers an eco-friendly consumption of glitter, without the microplastics.
Photo from: BioGlitz
BioGlitz continues its eco-friendly action by providing sustainable packaging, which is crucial in shopping sustainably. Due to Covid-19, many are unable to shop in stores, and instead purchase online. On average, packaging counts for 5% of greenhouse gas emission in the lifecycle of products, which is quite significant. Paptic is a company focused on creating new environmentally friendly materials in packaging. While other packages are made out of plastic, Paptic’s are made out of wood, offering a biodegradable alternative. Paptic’s traditional packaging looks similar to conventional packaging, but Paptic allows for brands to customize their own sustainable packaging. Brands may choose from a variety of designs and add additional seals, varnishing, and even stitching. Paptic packaging is also not exclusively one time use as it is proven to be more durable than regular wrapping during a 2019 test, and could be used 1.5-2 times more regular packaging. When brands chose to use Paptic for their packaging provides an opportunity to take their own action and further their sustainability.
Photo form: Paptic
Another major issue in the fashion industry is the environmental impact of denim production. It takes 1,800 gallons of water to produce enough cotton for one pair of jeans. Evrnu is a textile innovation company that specializes in creating new garments from used clothing. Evrnu utilizes NuCycle technology to disassemble textiles, particularly jeans, to create entirely new garments. NuCycle technology uses repolymerization to turn the original fibers of a cotton shirt for example, into new usable fibers. This technology reduces waste by reconstructing new clothes from unwanted textiles and as a result keeps garments from the landfills. Moreover, Evrnu saves water by using old clothes that already have cotton, hence, not utilizing the usual 1,800 gallons of water for the cotton on one pair of jeans. Evrnu has even partnered with Levi’s to implement sustainable practices, and created Levi’s first recycled jeans from 5 cotton t-shirts which used 98% less water.
Photo from: Fashion Network
While these innovations are only a few steps in the right direction, it provides promise for the fashion industry. Additionally, it is important to remember that people cannot always change big brands, but as consumers, we can try their best to shop sustainably when they can. Clearly, sustainability is a key part in the fashion industry and is no longer an option, but a necessity.
Discussion Questions
Do you think that these sustainable alternatives are needed to combat the climate crisis?
Regarding sustainable alternatives, do you think there need to be more, partially in the Fashion Industry?
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