Planet blog
“Unless we act now, the 2030 agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been.” As the fashion industry grows; it is about 3 trillion dollars and it employs 57.8 million people, the irresponsibility in the overconsumption of clothing also increases. The fashion Industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and damaging the planet. Dana Thomas in her famous book ‘Fahionopolis’ suggests how ‘domestic sweatshops have always existed’ resulting in ‘human trafficking and money laundering’ in the 1800s, however as time has evolved it is evident that there are still domestic sweatshops within the world today, impacting the planet negatively. For example, Shein; a fast fashion retailor that produces garments and accessories, has once again come ‘under fire for poor working conditions’ in which the company also includes high levels of toxic chemicals in its clothing, not only harming humans but also the planet.
Although, many fashion brands such as ‘Neu Nomads’ constantly consider sustainable fashion which can help preserve the planet and its natural resources. Neu Nomads help climate action through its products and how it is produced. The company uses high proportions of eco-friendly materials such as Tencel lyocell, this therefore limits the amount of chemicals, water and water waste used in products allowing the UN to become one step closer to one of their 17 goals, ‘sustainable cities and communities’. Neu Nomads further illustrates their sustainability through using renewable energy in its supply chain reducing its climate impact and harm towards the environment, they do not use fur, leather or wool also safeguarding animals lives and not negatively impacting them. Though it is crucial to consider the prices of their products, which may be seen as quite expensive, perhaps increasing poverty thus making it harder for the UN to reach their ‘No poverty’ goal.
Circular economy is an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials and products which urges productions of products to be created in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way. Inditex, the owner of Zara, Bershka, Pull and Bear etc. declared that ‘[they] will not send anything to landfills in 2020’, the owner of these extremely big brands has pledged to increase the use of recycled fabrics, conforming the circular economy system and allowing consumers to buy at average prices for good quality and trendy clothes. This further brings to light the concerns of the damage on the planet through fast fashion, helping the fashion industry to become more sustainable and the UN to reach its goals as ‘sustainability’ would ultimately become a trend.
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Bibliography:
https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/ United nation website for 17 goals and quote
‘Fashionopolis’ by Dana Thomas
Good on you website- Neu Nomads- found: https://goodonyou.eco/#
https://www.thecut.com/article/shein-influencer-factory-tour.html#:~:text=Shein%20has%20repeatedly%20come%20under,items%2C%20and%20mishandling%20customer%20data. -Shein workers conditions
https://wwd.com/feature/fast-fashions-circular-economy-challenge-1202934416/#:~:text=Fast%20Fashion%27s%20Circular%20Economy%20Challenge,the%20use%20of%20recycled%20fabrics. Sustainable fast fashion brands which conform to circular economy