Fashion
sustainability is crucial for the sustainability of human life at various
levels, including environmental, social, and economic aspects.[1] As an introducer,
the sustainability of fashion today is something new. The context of fashion
sustainability needs to get good attention from the younger generation.
Quoting
the results of a survey from the Credit
Suisse Research Institute, the younger generation (Gen Z and
millennials) is a group that is loyal to sustainable products, even though they
have to spend more. The survey results show that young consumers have high
anxiety about sustainable products. The proof, 65 to 90 percent of respondents
said they care or care about the environment.
Adapting
this, one needs to underline that the issue of sustainability is due to new
things and new commodities and infrastructure. Of course, we tend to pay more,
but the short-, medium- and long-term impacts are clear for our children and
grandchildren. But we also need to strive for cheap fashion sustainability by
utilizing renewable raw materials around us that do not pollute the
environment.
In
this aspect, we also need to reduce the clothes thrown away due to changes in
fashion. In the 15 years to 2017, there was a 36% decrease in the average
amount of clothing worn before being thrown away. In the US, the average
garment is worn only 40 times before being thrown away.
Ecological, Social and Economic Impacts of Fashion Sustainability
The
transition from conventional fashion to fashion sustainability has a
significant and indirect impact. This impact is usually felt in the medium and
long term without being realized by fashion producers and consumers. [2]
The
following describes how models affect human life and the importance of
sustainable practices in the industry:
1. Environmental
Impact
Fashion
has a significant ecological footprint, contributing to various environmental
problems such as:
· Resource
Depletion: The fashion industry consumes many natural resources, including air,
energy, and raw materials (such as cotton, leather, and synthetic fibers).
Unsustainable resources and production methods can deplete these resources and
cause irreparable damage to ecosystems. Synthetic fabrics such as nylon,
polyester, and acrylic, which make up about 60 percent of garment production,
are all forms of plastics produced from petroleum. Studies show that it
releases microfibers into the water when washed, which are known to pollute the
oceans, harm marine life, and eventually enter our bodies through the seafood
we eat.
· Pollution:
The clothing manufacturing process releases hazardous chemicals, dyes, and
waste into water bodies and air, leading to water and air pollution. This, in
turn, affects human health and biodiversity. Producing raw materials and
fabrics can be energy and chemical-intensive, from the production of textiles
to the dyes used to give color. Sustainable producers must work to reduce
emissions and recycle chemicals and waste, creating a circular production
process.
· Waste
Generation: Fast fashion, characterized by the rapid production and disposal of
clothing, generates large quantities of textile waste, which often ends up in
landfills or incinerators, contributing to the challenge of waste management.
In APR, we work to manage our emissions and use of chemicals. By operating a
closed-loop manufacturing process, we can recover more than 90 percent of the
chemicals used in production. Our factory is powered by energy generated from
our renewable biomass and recovery boilers. We source most of our raw materials
locally, eliminating long-distance transportation across seas and land.
2. Social
Impact
The
fashion industry employs millions of people worldwide, often in developing
countries where labor standards and wages may be substandard. Some of the main
social challenges include:
· Labor
Rights: Many garment workers face poor working conditions, long hours, low
wages, and a lack of job security. The sustainability mode promotes fair work
practices, ensuring workers' rights are respected and protected.
· Ethical
Supply Chain: Sustainable fashion brands prioritize transparency and
accountability throughout their supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to
production, ensuring fair treatment of workers at all stages. Ethics in this
supply chain needs to be made rules related to environmental ethics in
supplying the supply chain from environmentally friendly raw materials, low
emission production processes, and the context of justice for the rights of
workers in the fashion sector.
· Cultural
Appropriation: Some fashion brands have been criticized for appropriating
cultural symbols or designs without proper recognition or compensation to the
community of origin. Sustainable fashion aims to properly respect and celebrate
cultural diversity. It is essential to look at the broader impact on local
communities. As well as creating jobs in our operations, APR aims to impact the
areas where we operate positively. For example, we have partnered with
manufacturers of traditional batik fabrics to help them use sustainable viscose
and natural dyes in their work.
3. Economic
Impact
The
fashion industry is a significant contributor to the global economy.
Sustainable practices can have positive economic effects, including:
· Innovation
and Job Creation: Embracing sustainable technologies and practices can drive
innovation within the industry, creating new job opportunities and economic
growth. In this context, it is also necessary to pay attention to aspects of
environmentally friendly technology and strengthen skilled workers in renewable
technology.
· Circular
Economy: Transitioning to a circular economy model, where products are designed
for longevity and can be recycled, can create a more resilient and sustainable
fashion industry. Circular aspects can provide an economic impact from residues
that have monetary value as well so that there is no residue from the rest of
the fashion industry's production that damages the environment. Of course, this
can collaborate with fashion industry players in regions in Indonesia so that
the supply chain is maintained with the existing community and can provide
mutual benefits to traditional fashion industry players to increase their
economy.
· Consumer
Behavior: Encouraging consumers to support sustainable fashion can influence
their purchasing habits, driving demand for environmentally and socially
responsible products. The solution to this problem is to educate consumers to
innovate fashion products combined with products on the market to become
products that can be used. You can also take advantage of social media by
displaying unsold products when they go viral; consumers will be educated on
the impact of people's power on social media.
The role of consumers in sustainable fashion
Consumers
have a very vital role in the issue of fashion sustainability. The latest Pulse
of the Fashion Industry report shows that 75 percent of consumers consider
sustainability necessary. But sustainability is not the primary driver of
buying behavior – instead, consumers expect sustainability as an essential
prerequisite. In other words, consumers are less actively seeking sustainable
fashion than envisioning their style as sustainable.
In
recent years many brands have launched individual products sold as highly
sustainable – items made from partially recycled materials, for example. Yet
more and more consumers expect this to be the norm rather than a unique selling
point. Consumers vote with their wallets. There is a lot for the industry to
do, but the direction to favor sustainable fashion is evident.[3]
Overall,
the sustainability of fashion is intrinsically related to the sustainability of
human life. By adopting more responsible and ethical practices, the fashion
industry can reduce its negative impact on the environment and society,
ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable world for present
and future generations. Consumers, brands, and policymakers are critical in
driving this positive change.
Oleh: Eko Eddya Supriyanto*
Reference
[1] M. Ikram, “Transition toward green economy: Technological
Innovation’s role in the fashion industry,” Curr. Opin. Green Sustain. Chem.,
vol. 37, p. 100657, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.cogsc.2022.100657.
[2] T. Asmoro,
“Factors Affecting Export Performance Indonesian Fashion Creative Industry,” in
MIC 2021, 2022, no. 2019, doi: 10.4108/eai.30-10-2021.2315830.
[3] https://www.aprayon.com/en/media-english/articles/what-is-sustainable-fashion/
* Lecturer, Hobby writing, Connoisseurs of classical history of Indonesia and the world, Loved the theme all about sustainability.
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