Why is “Sustainable Fashion” Contradictory?
Why is “Sustainable Fashion” Contradictory?
Sustainability— the process to be in balance and not compromise natural, social, and economic resources. Today there are many brands and companies aware of the word '“sustainability” but how does that work within the fashion industry? Can there be such a thing as sustainable fashion?
Technically, the short answer is no due to the fact that nothing is EVER 100% sustainable. In relation to fashion— being naked is the only fully sustainable option. Understanding that some of us would thoroughly enjoy the thought of a totally nude society, it’s a no-go for most of the general public at this point (sigh).
We all wear, buy, & dispose of clothes that in return create multiple reactions. The fashion industry alone accounts for 4% of global waste (vox), 8-10% of greenhouse gases (vox), and 85% of all textiles end up in landfills (weforum). According to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, “every second, the equivalent of a rubbish truck load of clothes is burnt or buried in landfill”. This is due to overconsumption and throw-away culture most often practiced in developed countries such as the United States (I use the US as an example since this is based on personal experience as a native).
The phrase “sustainable fashion” is contradictory because at its worst the fashion industry is based on new trends and colors every season, cheap prices due to cheap labor, and planned obsolescence. The expression “sustainable fashion” is very general which allows for companies and brands to have green-washing wiggle room. This is due to the fact that there are little to no industry standards and fashion laws on marketing, transparency, or resource usage.
In this linear fashion cycle, we see how the industry negatively impacts natural, social, and economic resources— the very opposite of sustainability. So why do industry professionals and businesses still use the phrase “sustainable fashion” when it has a conflicting reality?
“Sustainable Fashion” Points of Contradictory
*** I would like to note that these are only a FEW points listed below on why the fashion industry should not be considered sustainable on a large scale. Otherwise, this article would’ve gone on forever☺. ***
Point 1: Overconsumption & Limited Natural Resources
Sustainable fashion is contradictory because of the industry’s nature to get you to buy more with new trends, updated styles, and different “it” colors every season.
This constant need for newness ends up resulting in a never-ending cycle of overconsumption. An article from good on you stated— “by 2030, it is estimated the fashion industry will consume resources equivalent to two Earths, with the demand for clothing forecast to increase by 63%.” As a general rule of thumb, the more we consume— the more resources we use.
According to The Guardian, journalist JB MacKinnon states that “we are devouring the planet’s resources at a rate 1.7 times faster than it can regenerate” (The Guardian). With overconsumption, limited resources, and a growing global population, we have to start rethinking our consumption habits. As Vivienne Westwood would say— “buy less, choose well, make it last.”
Point 2: Textile Waste
Sustainable fashion is contradictory because there is still no large scale solution for textile waste or unwanted garments.
When people donate their clothes in the global north it usually ends up burdening someplace in the global south— like Accra in Ghana. Accra is known as the “dumping ground for textile waste” that gets bombarded with an estimated 15 million items of unwanted goods from North America, Europe, and Australia (Vox).
As an alternative to throwing away or donating our unwanted items, we need to get creative with our messes and turn them into something useful. For example, one solution for textile waste could be to turn unwanted items into material used in car seating, cushions, beanbags, etc. To further help with this problem on a global scale— each country needs to be accountable for its own waste. This could be a way to help generate textile waste innovation and protect developing countries from the burdens of the global north.
Point 3: Synthetic Fiber Usage & Microplastics
Sustainable fashion is contradictory because of the synthetic fibers used in most fashion garments today which release microplastics and harmful chemicals.
Whether it be to cut down on costs or for performance reasons, fashion brands and companies routinely choose synthetic materials / blends instead of natural materials. For instance, like choosing polyester over hemp.
The apparel and home sectors produce around 35% of plastic microfibers that end up in marine environments. Since these microplastics cannot be removed from marine environments, they eventually end up in our water and food. “Around the world, people ingest an average of around 2,000 microplastic particles a week, according to the study by the University of Newcastle, in Australia” (CNN). Not only do these microplastics and harmful chemicals end up in our food chain they are also absorbed into our skin when we wear them. You read that right— it seems you are what you eat AND wear.
Luckily, there is now new technology that helps capture some of these microplastics and chemicals when we wash synthetic fibers. However, moving forward the fashion industry needs to be mindful of which materials are chosen when manufacturing. On our part, we should be mindful of fabric compositions and how we can properly wash these synthetic materials.
Conclusion
Going back to the main question, is “sustainable fashion” contradictory since nothing can ever be 100% sustainable? Especially in a profession that is still lagging in reducing social, economic, and environmental impacts?
Acknowledging that this is a contradictory expression, the industry is starting to use phrases like “slow fashion”, “ethical fashion”, “vintage fashion”, “pre-loved fashion”, “upcycled fashion”, etc instead of “sustainable fashion”.
As said before— the only truly 100% sustainable option is to be nude. Sadly, due to public nudity laws, we can’t go running around in our birthday suits. So next time you see a “sustainable fashion” company or brand— be sure to question their policies and practices.
Be informed, stay curious, ask questions, and think critically… it’s the only way we can evolve and grow for a better tomorrow.
xx,
Iz
