Ian C Jones
Berkshire UK • 07469018888 ian@newgatetrading.co.uk • LinkedIn
Introduction to a Sustainable Fashion Industry
In today's fast-paced fashion industry, Building Circular and Regenerative Models for a Sustainable Fashion Industry there needs to be a transition from a linear to a circular economy is more pressing than ever. This shift not only addresses environmental concerns but also offers an opportunity to create a fair and just transition for all stakeholders. In this article, we delve into the insights shared by industry experts during a Fashion Declares discussion, exploring strategies to build circular and regenerative models for the fashion industry.
Carolina Álvarez-Ossorio, representing EcoAlf, emphasizes that fashion is not just about looking good; it's about doing what is right. EcoAlf, founded with a vision for future generations, focuses on creating sustainable, recycled products with the same quality and design as non-recycled counterparts. Today, EcoAlf boasts over 500 recycled fabrics developed from various types of waste. Carolina states boldly, "The fashion industry business model does not work. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." Debbie Luffman - ThinkCircular
Debbie Luffman from ThinkCircular advocates for a paradigm shift in the fashion industry's business model. The current linear economy—Take, Make, Use, Waste, Pollute—must evolve into a Circular Economy. Key components of this shift include designing out waste and pollution, prioritizing durability, extending product and resource value, promoting products as a service, and adopting a lifecycle, systems thinking approach. The emphasis here is on achieving zero pollution and zero waste.
Circular and Regenerative Strategies:
Design out waste and pollution.
Prioritise durability.
Extend product and resource value.
Promote products as a service.
Embrace lifecycle, systems thinking.
Anthony Burns from ACS operates a circular fashion hub, facilitating sustainable business models such as clothing rental, repair, and resale. According to Anthony Burns, research indicates that circular business models are set to grow massively. Moving towards sustainability is not just ethical but also a sound business decision, with resale being a more profitable option. ACS aims to accelerate the adoption of these models by partners, brands, retailers, and ultimately, the consumers.
Key Circular Business Models:
Clothing rental.
Repair services.
Resale.
Kalkidan Legesse, Co-Founder of OWNI, shares her love for fashion and the challenges faced by the industry. Rising costs, environmental pressures, and regulatory challenges pose complex issues. Engaging with the secondary market emerges as a solution. Billions of under-utilized clothing units can be recovered, resold, and extend the lifespan of products, addressing both environmental and financial concerns.
Solutions to Industry Challenges:
Engage with the secondary market.
Recover and resell under-utilized goods.
Amanda Johnston from The Sustainable Angle discusses the cradle-to-cradle system to assess the sustainability of different materials. The approach categorizes materials into Technical Nutrients, recyclable without returning to the biosphere, and Biological Nutrients, which can be returned to the biosphere. With a majority of global fibre demand coming from petrochemical materials, Amanda stresses the need to decouple from oil, urging a shift towards sustainable alternatives.
Sustainability Assessment:
Cradle-to-cradle system.
Differentiate between Technical and Biological Nutrients.
Urgent need to decouple from petrochemical materials.
Closing Thoughts
The Fashion Declares discussion, spanning from agricultural waste to plastic sea pollution, underscores the urgency to redesign the economic system of fashion manufacturers. It prompts us to rethink the way we approach and consume fashion. As Safia Minney concludes, the session highlights the need for a comprehensive transformation that considers every aspect of the fashion industry, from production to consumption, ensuring a sustainable and regenerative future.
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https://www.newgatetrading.co.uk/post/the-profit-impact-of-embracing-sustainability-in-your-business
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