shrekahnth sustainable fashion brand logo

Sustainability of Fashion :
What It Is & How we are unique?

The world we live in requires a conscious, sustainable fashion model. For the Climate concerns humanity faces today from fast fashion.

Fashion started as a seasonal need and Style. Today fashion is about Consuming new trends for a moment. There is a need for a sustainable fashion movement around the world.

This is our first blog. We are working on bringing our Research and knowledge more open and transparent to everyone.

Table of Contents

What is Sustainable Fashion?

Sustainability in fashion refers to the environmental, social, and economic impacts. And the efforts made by brands, manufacturers, and consumers to reduce these impacts.

Fast fashion’s adverse effects on the climate and people, especially in developing countries. It contributes to water and air pollution and resource depletion. 

The fast fashion industry causes various social and ethical fashion issues. Ethical concerns like poor working conditions, low wages, and child labor.

How can consumers adopt Sustainable Fashion?

There are several ways that consumers can support sustainable fashion brands.

  1. Buy from sustainable brands: Look for eco-friendly brands. Brands that uses Natural materials, has ethical labor practices, and reduces climate impact.

  2. Repair and care for your clothes: Caring for them can help them last longer, so you don’t have to consume more.

  3. Buy second hand: Buying vintage and secondhand clothes brands is a great sustainable practice. This reduces the impact of social and environmental and supports sustainability in fashion.

  4. Shop conscious: Consider buying fewer items. Invest in high-quality pieces that will last longer and not in cheap fashion.

  5. Donate or recycle your clothes: When you no longer want or need an item of cloth. Consider donating it to a thrift store or waste Management so it can be resold or upcycled or recycled.

These sustainable practices can help our environment. To reduce the negative impacts and create a better sustainable fashion future.

Sustainability of fashion importance in reduse reuse and recycle

Why is sustainable fashion so important?

Sustainable fashion is important because it addresses many issues. Our fashion choice needs a change. Here are a few reasons why sustainable fashion is essential.

  1. Environmental impact

    The fashion Industry contributes to pollution and resource depletion.

    The cultivation of conventional Cotton is a big issue. They use harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers. Besides, Polyester is one of the highest polluters. They pollute soil and water.

    Transportation of goods to different continents and customers. Disposal of textiles and clothes, the fashion industry has a significant Impact. Sustainable fashion practices aim to reduce carbon footprint by using eco-friendly materials and designing products that have a longer lifespan.

  2. Social impact

    The fashion industry carries a lot of social issues. Less-paid manufacturers, sweatshops, poor working conditions, low wages, and cheap labor exploitation for garment workers.

    Ethical Fashion practices through fair wage certifications aim to improve working conditions. And better wages for workers in the fashion industry, promoting reasonable trade practices.

  3. Consumer Impact

    Besides the environmental and social benefits, sustainable fashion also benefits consumers. Products made from sustainable materials are more durable and long-lasting and bring value.

Sustainable fashion is essential. It helps to protect the environment. Promotes social justice while offering consumers product value.

fast fashion environmental damages

What are sustainable practices for brands?

Several practices can be resourceful for environmental protection.

  1. Use of sustainable Textiles

    This includes biodegradable, recycled, or natural materials produced using sustainable methods.

  2. Ethical fashion practices

    It ensures the manufacturing factories are run with ethics and fair wage. A living wage is vital for sustainability. This includes supporting fair trade and ethical labor practices.

  3. Water consumption

    Water is a valuable resource, and the fashion industry is a significant consumer, including its industrial dyes. It is implementing water-saving measures for washing and using technologies in making clothes. Minimizing water usage can reduce the industry’s impact on water resources.

  4. Energy efficiency

    Implementing energy-efficient practices and using renewable energy sources can help reduce emissions. Such as recycled or plant-based materials

  5. Upcycle and Recycle

    To reduce the environmental impact of fashion is to Repair clothes. Upcycle the clothing waste and other materials like trims. Recycle the textile and clothing waste.

  6. Transparency

    Consumers need to know where their clothes come from, who made them, and the ethics behind them. Companies should increase transparency by disclosing their supply chains and certifications through technology.

Providing digital certification about sustainable fashion practices will help customer trust.

How to reduce the Carbon Emissions of Global Fashion?

Global apparel market industry revenue will increase to approximately 2 trillion dollars by 2027. It brings a significant impact on the environment.

It carries a significant threat environmentally. The apparel industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions per year. And remains the second most significant industrial polluter, second only to Fossil fuel. 1.6 gigatons of carbon dioxide emits through the manufacturing and retail of Apparel in 2030.

The fashion industry is the second largest in global emissions. The energy-intensive processes involved in manufacturing and transportation. And distribution of clothing and the disposal of clothing brands at the end of their lifecycle.

Fashion in textile Manufacturing, including the cultivation and production of synthetic fibers like polyester. It is a significant source of carbon emissions.

Cotton cultivation, for example, requires large amounts of water and pesticides. And synthetic fibers developed using fossil fuels contribute to Greenhouse gas emissions.

The disposal of clothing and Textiles is also a significant source of emissions. Many clothing items end up in landfills. They take years to decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Several steps can work to reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact. Using natural and organic fibers and eco materials can restrict the usage of polyester clothing. We can reduce the carbon footprint by using more renewable energy for transport. 

Higher-quality clothing items will last longer and be less likely to end up in landfills. Upcycle and recycling of clothing through initiatives to recycle or resale.  

fast fashion carbon emmisons details

What are the Textiles ideal for Sustainable clothing?

  1. Natural fibers

    Fibers from plants or virgin resources that are biodegradable. Meaning biological processes can break them down. Some examples of natural fibers include certified organic Cotton, wool, silk, and leather alternatives.

    Organic materials that aim to raise awareness. They contribute to the reduced use of toxic chemicals.

  2. Recycled Natural fibers

    Natural fibers like Cotton and wool can be recycled into a blend of natural fibers. We must recycle them and use them to produce newer clothes.

    Recycled materials, such as plastic bottles or used clothing fibers. Recycling fibers reduces the need for new raw materials and can help minimize waste. Recycled fibers include recycled polyester and recycled nylon.

  3. Bamboo

    Bamboo is a sustainable plant that can grow with renewables. That multiplies and requires minimal pesticides and water to thrive. It can make various products, including sustainable clothing, towels, and bedding.

    But Processing bamboo with chemicals for softer material is harmful. The demand for bamboo is leading to deforestation and greenwashing. Bamboo demand can also lead to soil depletion for our food needs.

  4. Hemp

    Hemp is a biodegradable and sustainable plant. It can break down into nature without a negative impact. It is the most versatile and renewable of all our natural sources. It requires less water consumption, unlike cotton production. Solid, strong, durable, and can make various products, including sustainable clothing, bags, and accessories.

    Hemp can also improve soil health, making it an excellent crop choice for farmers. 

Sustainable fibers can help reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact. This can support more sustainable production practices. Recycling fibers minimizes the need for new raw materials and can help reduce waste.  

Susainabily of textile production

How is Cotton Fiber Essential?

Cotton is a major agricultural commodity grown in many parts of the world. It has a long history in the United States, China, India, and other countries. It is a versatile natural fiber used in various products. 

But Cotton is a susceptible crop. Due to pests and weeds and to achieve more excellent yields, conventional Cotton is grown.

The production of Cotton can have negative environmental impacts. Some of the environmental challenges associated with cotton production include:

  1. Pesticide and herbicide use 

    Cotton production requires toxic chemicals and herbicides to control pests and weeds. 

    Contamination of soil and water, air pollution, and biodiversity loss are a few. Besides environmental depletion, it can have an impact on human health. Farmer’s risk through handling the synthetics. Customer’s health when it comes in contact with skin or is inhaled.

  2. Water consumption

    Cotton production is a water-intensive process. The cotton industry, including industrial dyes, significantly strains local resources. Cotton cultivation is leading to water-scarce conflicts.

  3. Soil degradation

    Continuous cotton cultivation can lead to soil degradation. It will reduce soil fertility and crop yields. 

  4. Climate change

  5. Cotton cultivation is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to the energy required for irrigation, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides.

To address these challenges, some farmers adopt sustainable cotton production practices, use organic fertilizers, and implement water-saving irrigation techniques. They are looking at crop rotations for better yields.

Consumers can impact cotton production by choosing sustainable raw materials and organic Cotton.

Why should we stop using polyester?

Polyester is a petroleum product and the most common fiber used in clothing. More than 50% of garments in 2021 will be from polyester.

Polyester is a synthetic material from a polymer. It is a strong and durable material overused in clothes and textiles. Polyester blends with most fibers available today with the technology.

Polyester derives from fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil. The source, the method, and the development take a lot of energy. Synthetic materials production releases carbon emissions in several stages of the manufacturing process. 

Extraction and processing of fossil fuels are highly energy intensive. Transportation of materials and finished products from various supply chains releases greenhouse gas emissions.

Reusing synthetic fabric products can help to reduce their carbon footprint and lead to an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

How Man-made fiber deplete natural resources?

Man-made cellulosic fibers are developed intensively with toxic chemicals from the cellulose of plants. These are generally called viscose.

Dissolving the cellulose from the wood pulp, Cotton, or hemp requires hardened treatments. This procedure produces similar qualities of natural fibers like linen, Cotton, or hemp. The soft feel and moisture management can have better benefits for the fiber.

A few artificial cellulosic fibers today are rayon, modal, Tencel, and lyocell. These fibers account for about 6% of current fiber production worldwide per year.

There are many environmental concerns in the production of Man-made cellulosic fibers. Water and air pollution is a significant concern besides deforestation. Due to a lack of regulations, toxic chemical processes lead to human health concerns.

There is a sustainability trend in greenwashing man-made cellulosic fibers to decrease polyester usage in many fashion companies.

fiber production polyster

Are recycled pet bottles sustainable for fashion brands?

Garments made from recycled plastic bottles are a very innovative and sustainable fashion. They help reduce the waste of plastic bottles instead of ending up in discards or oceans. 

Turning plastic bottles into fibers for clothing also requires less energy. If we compare it with Polyester pet bottles, they are a great choice.

Sustainability depends on recycled Polyester composition and the garment lifecycle and durability. Many of the textiles are blended with polyester.

Melting plastic bottles into fiber requires a lot of energy and blends of synthetics. Recycle polyester is not biodegradable as natural fibers. So it’s essential to consider circular options for clothes.

Recycling pet bottles can reduce waste, but there are better solutions to recycling. 

How are we aiming to be a Sustainable Fashion brand?

As a sustainable fashion brand, we aim to build a circular fashion. That can bring self-sufficiency through Ethics, leading to a carbon-neutral brand.

A Significant amount of used clothing arrives in Ghana as donations from the west. Due to high import duties and low manufacturing, used clothing is a crucial trade for many.

This influx of secondhand clothing affects the beaches and landfills in Ghana. Garment waste can cause disastrous pollution. 

Putting a landfill has caused massive air pollution. The waste releases methane and other greenhouse gases. Polyester in clothing brands can also contribute to microplastic pollution in the seas.

We are building a supply chain to collect textile & clothing waste. The discarded garment waste of various fast fashion brands causes environmental damage in Ghana. 

We collect the fast fashion brands before they end up in Ghana clothing landfills through our supply chain. We sort them as per their repurposes for upcycling and recycling with zero waste.

how we develop circular fashion

What is upcycle fashion?

Conscious upcycling is re-designing any used or unwanted clothes and textiles. Re-developing a product from the existing is better than recycling them. 

The process innovates new, higher-quality products to produce unique fashion items. It consumes less energy and resources than producing new clothes. 

This helps reduce waste and the environmental impact of fashion production.

Upcycling is referred to as “reusing” or “repurposing.” It has already been produced and extended the life of clothes and textiles. This reduces the demand for new clothes. 

Upcycling techniques such as dyeing or printing on clothes can harm the environment. 

We develop upcycled garments through the deconstruction of clothes like pairs of jeans. Deconstructing the clothes and sorting the patterns create new styles and less waste.

Further, we use organic dyes and printing techniques on the new styles.

What is Recycle Fashion?

It takes existing clothes and textiles and breaks them down into new fiber in recycling. The new fiber can be either the original fiber or a new man-made cellulose fiber.

Recycling clothes have positive and negative effects on the environment. Recycling clothes can help reduce waste. It can conserve energy, helping reduce the production of new clothes.

Recycling clothes can have environmental impacts too. Transporting clothes to recycling facilities can contribute to pollution. The sorting, bleaching, and recycling process can consume intensive energy and resources.

Recycling clothes and textiles involve downcycling the material’s fibers through a chemical process. Then, spinning those fibers into new yarns will create new fabrics. Textiles and clothes made from recycled Cotton are in use today.

We recycle Clothes and fabrics collected with the utmost ecological integrity. These are further processed into yarn and materials to create sustainable fashion collections with digital certification for transparency.

Sustainability - Waste collected in ghana for recycling

Conscious conclusion

We recycle, reuse, and re-design fast fashion Waste to develop collections as sustainable products. Further, We produce them as design variants in sustainable practice.

  • Recycle – Textile materials and fast fashion Clothes into fiber material.

  • Reuse – Deconstruct the garments for upcycled clothes.

  • Re-design – Construct the panels into a new design and collection.

We also collaborate sustainably with indigenous artisans from India and West Africa. 

  • Cotton farmers’ for organic cotton production.

  • Textile artisans, like weavers, produce Handwoven materials.

  • Fabric Dyes for eco-friendly dyeing techniques on textile materials.

WhatsApp
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Email
Print