A Call for Change: Key Sustainability Priorities in Fashion
The fashion industry is at a crucial crossroads, with sustainability more urgent than ever. As consumers grow more mindful of the environmental impact of their purchases, the industry must step up to the challenge. The future of fashion lies in designing with the planet in mind, eliminating harmful materials, and embracing circular systems to reduce waste and conserve resources. Earth Day reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect the planet, making it the perfect time to reflect on how industries like fashion can lead the charge for positive change. Let’s use this day to turn awareness into action and work towards a more sustainable future. Here's how the industry can make a difference and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Design with the Future in Mind
Sustainability begins at the very start of the fashion process: design. Designers have the unique opportunity to make environmentally-conscious decisions that will shape the entire lifecycle of a product. By thinking long-term, they can create pieces that not only stand the test of time but also minimize their environmental impact. The goal is to design for longevity, ensuring that each item is built to endure and reduce waste in the long run.
Innovative projects, like the Disassembly Lab explores how sneakers can be designed for easy disassembly, allowing materials to be separated and recycled more efficiently. This is a crucial step in moving toward a more sustainable fashion system. Similarly, the use of mono-materials—limiting the number of materials in a single product—makes recycling easier and sourcing more streamlined, contributing to a circular fashion economy.
Consumers are also playing a role in pushing the industry to be more sustainable. Studies show that 65% of consumers believe companies should bear the cost of recycling their products, rather than placing that responsibility on individuals. As sustainability continues to be a top priority for shoppers, brands will be increasingly held accountable for their waste management practices.
Phase Out Plastic
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, and the fashion industry is not immune. While awareness of plastic’s harmful impact is growing, there is still much work to be done. For example, the global plastics treaty, set to take effect in 2025, will hold 175 countries to a common standard in reducing plastic use. However, even with this global initiative, recycling alone is not enough—only 9% of recycled plastics are reused, while the rest end up polluting land, air, and water.
The fashion industry can make a significant impact by phasing out plastic and embracing sustainable alternatives. Simple steps, like eliminating unnecessary packaging and using materials like fiber screw caps instead of plastic, can reduce plastic consumption by thousands of tons annually. Such efforts are crucial in reducing the environmental footprint of the fashion world.
Circularity: Building Sustainable Systems
To achieve a truly sustainable future, the fashion industry must focus on circularity—creating systems where products are designed to be reused, repaired, or recycled rather than discarded. The fashion sector is currently responsible for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with shipping alone accounting for 2.5% of the world's total CO2 emissions. As the demand for more eco-conscious products grows, brands must embrace circular principles to cut emissions and conserve valuable resources.
Ben Hanson, Editor-in-Chief of The Interline, emphasizes that every new product launched has an environmental impact—whether from resource use, carbon emissions from logistics, or production processes. Everyone in the fashion industry, from designers to marketers, has the power to influence this impact, either positively or negatively.
Additionally, climate change is no longer an abstract concern—it’s a direct challenge to the fashion supply chain. Events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves are already affecting how goods are sourced and produced. The changing climate reminds us that sustainability isn’t just about design; it’s about the entire ecosystem of fashion, from sourcing to shipping.
A Call for Action
The fashion industry has a responsibility—and an opportunity—to lead the way in creating a more sustainable future. By embracing eco-friendly design principles, phasing out harmful materials like plastic, and building circular systems, we can help ensure that fashion not only survives but thrives in a world that demands more conscious choices. As consumers, we hold the power to demand change and support brands that prioritize sustainability.
The future of fashion is in our hands—let's design with the planet in mind and take steps toward a greener, more sustainable industry.