The Latest Sustainability Trends in Fashion

The fashion industry doesn’t have a good reputation when it comes to sustainability. According to the United Nations Environmental Program, fashion industry processes account for up to 10 percent of global carbon dioxide output, and the industry is accountable for 20 percent of the 300 million tons of plastic produced each year around the globe.

Yet, there are a number of trends in the fashion industry that point toward a growing sensitivity for sustainability. The following initiatives are a few that promise to shift the fashion industry toward a more sustainable future.

Boosting Traceability With RFID Technology

Building sustainability into the fashion supply chain is one effective way to clean up the industry’s environmental impact. Using suppliers committed to environmental responsibility and ethical practices builds sustainability into the overall fashion process. Leveraging environmentally friendly transportation systems can also improve sustainability efforts.

To validate sustainability efforts, fashion companies are launching new initiatives to increase the transparency and traceability of their supply chains. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provides the perfect tool for empowering those initiatives.

RFID involves the use of small tags applied to products that automatically identify and track them. RFID is regularly used in retail applications for stock management, checkout processes, and security.

Leveraging RFID in supply chain processes allows raw materials to be traced back to their origin, alerting companies to the involvement of suppliers that fail to meet sustainability expectations. Enhancing tracing and transparency provides heightened levels of accountability for all supply chain partners, motivating them to make deeper commitments to sustainability.

Reducing Waste With Eco-Packaging

Packing is a major contributor to waste, with the UN Economic Commission for Europe reporting that plastic packaging accounts for 40 percent of plastic waste, but only 9 percent of that waste is recycled. The fashion industry is taking strides to cut back on packaging waste by shifting toward eco-packaging options.

There are a number of factors that contribute to packaging being more eco-friendly. Packaging made from renewable, recycled or recyclable materials is more environmentally friendly than conventional products. Eco-packaging also utilizes designs that reduce the amount of materials used or that avoid the use of toxic materials.

Moving from double boxing to single boxing for e-commerce is one step fashion brands are taking to cut down on packaging. Nike, for example, has shifted to shipping its online orders in a single box — rather than a shoebox inside a packaging box — cutting its waste in half.

Plastic hangers, which are as prevalent as packaging in the fashion industry, represent another area in which businesses are pushing toward greater sustainability. Over 40 billion plastic hangers are used annually around the world, many of which aren't eligible for recycling.

Fashion retailers are addressing the problem by using innovative designs that reduce the amount of plastic used in hangers. Hybrid designs combine paper with plastic to provide hangers that are as functional as traditional hangers, while using as much as 75 percent less plastic. This is another step being taken to boost sustainability.

The overriding trend pushing greater sustainability in the fashion industry is a growing demand among consumers for more responsible practices. A recent survey shows that 66 percent of consumers consider sustainability as part of their purchasing decisions. By showing their commitment to transparency and eco-friendly innovation, fashion companies can ensure they meet consumer demands and attract their business.

Joseph A. Schlossberg is vice president of global sales for Sourcing Solutions International, a one-of-a-kind supplier that manufactures hangers and packaging for the apparel/retail industry.